Absentee Ballots will be mailed 30 days prior to the Election.
Attention Delaware Nation Members: The following candidates have been deemed eligible by the Election Committee to run for office.
Tribal Secretary Candidate Statements
Margaret Ann Brower
“The Delaware Nation is one of the most respected tribal nations in western Oklahoma and it has truly been a great honor and privilege to serve as your Secretary these past four years.
My family and I are descendants of Black Beaver and have been inspired by his great leadership to serve our Nation in whatever capacity was needed over the years.
The tribal nations of the twenty-first century are not the tribes of the past. Your Nation has been fortunate in the past few years to have visionary leadership and dedicated employees that continue to plan for growth and sustainability of its Delaware citizens through many new programs available regardless where they may reside.
The Delaware Nation currently has 50+ grants that are helping to revive our culture, language, provide internet, childcare, education and various other programs to help a wide variety of our citizens’ needs.
Please review my resume and decide what candidate is best prepared to continue building the future for you and your children. Your vote will be greatly appreciated to help me continue serving you and our great Nation!
The power of the General Council is through your vote. Remember, Absentee Ballots must be in the Anadarko Post Office no later than Friday, June 16, 2023. Local voting at the polls will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m.
Please feel free to contact me at abrower@DelawareNation-nsn.gov with questions, concerns or ideas to help better the Nation for all our citizens. Your input is always appreciated.”
VOTE FOR EXPERIENCE, INTEGRITY, TRANSPARENCY
- Current Secretary of the Delaware Nation (2019 to present)
- Chairman for the RAED Committee (2017-2018)
- Delaware Nation Treasurer (2013-2017)
- Chairman of Lenape Entertainment (2011-2013)
- Delaware Nation Gaming Commissioner (2007-2011)
- Chairman of Delaware Nation Tax Commission (1996-2007)
- 24 years Teaching at Anadarko High School
- 9 years of Teaching at Riverside Indian School
Education
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Business with a Minor in Accounting, and an additional Major in Language Arts
- Masters of Education Degree in Secondary School Education
- Masters of Education Degree in Secondary School Counseling
Rita French-Carrillo
“I am humbled to announce my candidacy for the Delaware Nation Executive Committee.
I will be running for Secretary in the June 2023 election.
I am a descendant of Jack Harry and Alipahkeyna. My maternal grandfather is the late William Kirby French Sr, who was a Delaware Nation Citizen. My maternal grandmother is the late Betty Margaret Komardley-French who was a proud Apache Nation Citizen. My great uncle, the late Edgar French Jr, is the brother of my grandfather and was an honorable Delaware Nation tribal leader. Reynolds French is also a great uncle and currently holds a seat as Committee member #2.
I currently run my own house cleaning business and reside in Oklahoma City. Because of my humble upbringing, I posses valuable morals and ethics that I believe will benefit the tribe and its members in many aspects. Through my successful business that I have built, along with the support of my family, I have proven that I can adapt to my surroundings quickly and be a major key element into the success of any endeavor I set my mind to. With the support of my fellow tribal members, I would be honored and grateful to showcase these qualities and abilities in my desired role as Secretary.
With a humble heart, I ask you to keep me in mind in the upcoming elections.”
Tribal Vice President Candidate Statements
Trinity Guido
“He! Weli Kishku Delaware Nation Citizens,
My name is Trinity Guido and I am running for the office of Vice-President. I am from the Jack Harry and Alipahkeynah descendency line as well as the French family of our Nation. I am honored to come from a family full of multi-generational tribal leaders. Because of my upbringing, I am culturally connected and know our tribal governance structures. I was raised in the Anadarko community which instilled in me a passion for my people. My tribal leadership journey began in 2010 when I was given the immense honor of being selected as the Delaware Nation Tribal Princess.
Soon after, my work history began at our Gold River Casino, Casino Oklahoma, and the tribal complex where I worked for the Gaming Commission for 5 years. I have also served on our tribal leadership boards for the last 9 years including the Election Committee and currently serving on the Citizenship Committee.
I possess a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Oklahoma in Public Health and Native American Studies. I am also on the leadership board for our newly founded Lenni Lenapexkweyok women’s collective group that represents all 5 Lenape communities. We carry out our groups’ initiatives while creating lasting bonds with our tribal homelands. Throughout my life, I have served in numerous elected leadership roles for tribal and non tribal organizations. I have attended many Lenape events and community gatherings in these capacities. I am a fierce advocate for our people and given the opportunity, I promise that I will represent our great Nation with honor and pride.
Initiatives that I promise to support are:
• Creating more opportunities for our tribal youth
• Making our elders the highest priority
• Opportunities for more diverse economic development
• Placing Lenape culture at the forefront of our future.
For these reasons, I encourage you to get out and vote for me on June 17th, 2023.”
Victoria De La Rosa-Feliciano
“Kulamalsi hech (how are you) my Lenape People. I would like to introduce myself, a candidate for the position of Vice-President of the Delaware Nation of Oklahoma. I am Victoria De La Rosa-Feliciano, from the family of Tennessee Thomas, and Bessie (Hunter) Snake. Many in my family have served in various tribal leadership positions since the early 1970’s and for years predating our tribal constitution as respected and trusted wisdom keepers.
I experienced a profound calling to step forward and give of myself to our people. I am armed with knowledge to be a change agent in continuing to move our tribal business and tribal relations progressively in a time of tribal empowerment and growth. I have built an extensive understanding of federal grant compliance & management, budgetary responsibilities, and grant writing. I believe in protecting tribal assets through investigating and fiscal solvency. My experience with federal programs will aid our tribal programs in having an experienced partner and mediator to enhance the work currently taken place and continue to move the Nation forward.
I will serve the needs of the whole as we are a nation of many without borders. My Great Grandmother Bessie Hunter Snake and Great Grandfather Willie Snake lived a life of service to our people and ingrained these same values into our family, to honor life, culture, and family as the Lenape People. I look forward to the opportunity to serve you, the Lenape People,
Wanìshi.”
“We are diverse and beautiful in our differences and today and everyday we live our lives to be the best ancestors for the next generation.” Abigail Echo-Hawk, Pawnee Poet, Artist, Storyteller
Experience
- University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Bachelor of Psychology (2007)
- Delaware Nation Tax Commission Tax Clerk (2008 -2009)
- Delaware Nation Gaming Commission, Compliance Officer (2009 – 2014)
- Delaware Nation Environmental Programs, Air Quality Coordinator (2014 – 2019)
- Fort Sill Apache Tribe, Community Health Director- (2019-2021)
- Fort Sill Apache Housing Authority, Executive Director – (2021 – Current)