Comanche Business Committee censures chairman for Westwin support

On Saturday, the Comanche Business Committee (CBC) formally censured Chairman Mark Woomavovah for voicing tribal support for the Westwin Elements, Inc., Cobalt/Nickel Refinery pilot plant without first taking the matter before the tribe.

Following Vice Chairman Cornel Pewewardy’s reading of the censure resolution into the minutes at the monthly meeting of the CBC, the committee voted unanimously to publicly censure the chairman as well as remove his signature authority and administrative duties.

In reading the resolution, Pewewardy cited Woomavovah’s address at a meeting of the Lawton City Council, Lawton Economic Development Authority and the Comanche County Industrial Development Authority on Aug. 16, 2023, where Woomavovah endorsed the refinery and committed Comanche Nation support while addressing the authorities and Westwin representatives as “leader of a sovereign nation, as a leader in the community.” He was quoted by Pewewardy as saying: “What’s good for the City of Lawton and Fort Sill is good for the Comanche Nation.”

Pewewardy said that no elected leader or committee person is able to take action as a single leader, according to the tribe’s constitution. There was also admonishment for failure to disclose prior meeting with Westwin representatives.

Following blowback from tribal members regarding that endorsement, on Feb. 1, Woomavovah posted a video to the tribe’s Facebook page offering apologies for not first coming to the general council before speaking for the Comanche Nation.

During the February meeting of the CBC, three committee member provided a written request to members of the general council for a special general council meeting regarding his action that would have provided citizens opportunity to determine if disciplinary actions were warranted, Pewewardy said.

Shortly before the date of the Feb. 24 meeting, Woomavovah called off the meeting. In a statement posted to the Comanche Nation Facebook page on Feb. 20, Woomavovah said the meeting was “unconstitutional.” He cited it was the tribal chairman’s duty to review the committee members’ request and determine if it is “duly requested.”

“After a thorough review,” he stated, “I have determined the request unconstitutional.”

Two days later, the CBC issued a statement that the meeting remained cancelled but that a public censure would be formalized at Saturday’s meeting.

Pewewardy said Woomavovah “disregarded constitutional provisions” by his action. The censure is also intended to condemn actions to advance the cause of the company “that endangers the “air, land and water.” It is intended to serve as a “serious rebuke” and indicates disapproval as well as a reminder of his obligations and reaffirms Article 7, Section 1 of the Comanche Nation Constitution that the chairman only signs or acts when authorized by the tribal council, he said.

Woomavovah has served as tribal chairman since June 2021.

In a statement to The Constitution, Woomavovah said the “suspension” as well as removal of signature authority and administrative duties are all unconstitutional per the Comanche Nation.

The action by the CBC follows Feb. 8 recall meetings for Comanche Business Committee Vice Chairman Dr. Cornel Pewewardy and the other for Committeeperson Seat No. 1 Hazel Tahsequah. Both committee members survived the recall when the votes failed to reach the 66 percent threshold required for them to pass.

Following Saturday’s vote to censure by the CBC, Woomavovah said the action taken is retributive and only serves as an admonishment without real teeth, changing nothing.

“It’s their way of getting me back for the recall,” he said. “ I’m still the chairman and still Comanche Strong.”