CADDO NATION CHAIRMAN
CANDIDATES
Chairman Gonzalez has extensive experience in energy businesses, and he is a recognized expert in tribal and federal government relations. He has been instrumental in business development in the tribal, state, and federal spaces. His extensive career, spanning several decades, has been marked by a remarkable ability to cultivate collaboration among tribal communities, industry, and federal agencies. His energy expertise includes significant experience in midstream project development alongside historical preservation, environmental review, and mitigation strategies, aptly navigating intricate regulatory and business development landscapes necessary for successful project execution.
Reflective of his tribal relations work, Chairman Gonzalez spearheaded the creation of the “To Bridge a Gap” conference—an innovative, nationwide forum that strengthens government‑to-government relations among tribal nations and the United States Forest Service. He has collaborated with the Pentagon on environmental and cultural issues affecting tribes nationwide and he played a pivotal role in establishing Oklahoma’s first Tribal Historic Preservation Office under Section 101(d)2 of the National Historic Preservation Act. His advocacy before the United States House of Natural Resources Committee regarding compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) has helped shape federal policy in the area, while his work with the Federal Bureau of Investigation has supported efforts to combat looting on federal lands.
Chairman Gonzalez maintains a unique position as the owner of the only Native-owned company holding membership in the Interstate Gas Association of America. His expertise in energy development and tribal consultation has made him a valued advisor to the United States Department of Energy, culminating in his role as a guest speaker at the 2015 inaugural tribal energy summit, and his recent appointment to the Department of Energy’s Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Tribal Working Group, whose priorities include explore issues associate and funding opportunities associated with methane mitigation, repurposing existing energy assets slated for retirement, critical mineral production and processing, development of carbon capture, transport and storage infrastructure.
Building on Success, Not Starting Over
Quah-a-hut, my fellow Caddo citizens and friends,
Four years ago, you entrusted me with the honor of leading our Nation forward. Tonight, I stand before you not to make promises about what we might do, but to show you what we have accomplished together—and to ask you to help us finish what we started.
We are at a pivotal moment in our Nation's history. The renewable energy partnerships we've built, the language preservation programs we've launched, and the federal relationships we've strengthened are beginning to bear fruit. Our new childcare center powered by solar energy through our SAKU partnership isn't just a building—it's a symbol of how we're securing our children's future while honoring our past.
When federal funding was threatened just months ago, we didn't panic. Why? Because we've managed our treasury responsibly. We've built relationships based on trust. We've proven that the Caddo Nation is a reliable partner worth investing in.
But this work isn't finished. Language revitalization takes generations, not election cycles. The partnerships with the University of Oklahoma for our first annual and now second annual renewable energy symposium—those relationships need time to flourish. The federal opportunities we've positioned ourselves to capture—they require leaders who know the players and understand the process.
As I learned from our elders who would say "dacona Hasinai"—speak Caddo—we must remember that everything is connected. Our economic development, our cultural preservation, our sovereignty, our future—it's all tied together.
This connection goes deeper than politics or programs. I am reminded that leadership isn't just about managing budgets or attending meetings. It's about being there for our people in their most vulnerable moments, their deepest grief and times of need. That's the kind of service that can't be learned from a manual or taught in a workshop—it comes from a lifetime of dedication to our people and our ways.
This election isn't about choosing between the past and the future. It's about choosing between building on our success or starting over. Between momentum and reset. Between finishing what we started and abandoning progress for the unknown.
The Caddo Nation is in a strong position with established partnerships, ongoing projects, and proven leadership. Why risk interrupting progress when the current trajectory is positive and the foundation for future success is already built?
Ku-ha-ah-hut? (Are you well?)
I am running as a candidate in the upcoming election for Caddo Nation chairman. Thank you for taking time to read about me! I am a descendent of Buntin Williams and Darlene Worcester Williams. I am a Caddo Nation, employee, working for the Nation since 2019.
I was raised in Lookeba, Ok and graduated from Lookeba-Sickles Public School. I attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford OK, where I received my Associates degree in Tribal Administration and my Bachelors degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management. My parents and grandparents raised me in our Caddo culture, and I will always consider myself a lifelong learner. Today, my life revolves around my younger brother Anthony and my niece Daeliona. I always strive to do everything I can making sure they know their Nation represents and supports them. They, like all our citizens, young and old, deserve a Nation and government committed to raising them up, not looking past them to get to the future.
For almost 10 years, my professional career has been devoted to service in Indian Country. Beginning as an intern for Indian Health Services to helping our tribe citizens navigate our programs. My mission has always been to help our people!
My vision, for our Nation is rooted in our Caddo values: Teach one another, help one another, and respect one another. We should be extending our hand to our citizens at – large, providing nothing less than robust constitutional reform that will allow everyone to be involved in the progress of our Nation.
We must evaluate where our tribal programs are. We need our grant dollars to reach the greatest number of people; and we should also bolster our efforts in finding as many grants and funding streams as possible to serve our people. Let us not forget to appreciate and empower the workforce that we have. A strong and dedicated workforce can help us move mountains if we move them into the 21st century.
Our economic development should be transparent in its expansion efforts. Our businesses should work for our people. Our retail spaces should be focused on maximizing their revenue, bringing in as many community dollars as possible; while our commercial ventures like Arrowwood and Saku focus on contract awards and building capacity to serve the greater community.
This only scratches the surface of what I hope to contribute to our Nation. We can bolster culture and language preservation efforts, maintain and improve government-to-government relationships, increase efficiency, and promote food sovereignty initiatives. All of this from a tribal council that should be a working body, working for all of us to attain the greater good!
My commitment to my fellow citizens is honesty, transparency, accountability, and respect. I respectfully ask for your vote on July 12, 2025. Howwih! (Thank you!)
As a candidate committed to the well-being of the Caddo Nation, I believe every tribal member living in our primary service area and across Indian Country deserves access to the high quality social, health and education services. All Caddo members should be connected to the support and opportunities offered by Caddo Nation.
Today many of our tribal members live beyond our jurisdiction lands in urban and rural communities and other states. They face multiple barriers to getting the help they need from Caddo Nation and I hope to remedy that.
If elected, I will advocate for forward-thinking policies that expand digital access to all Caddo citizens, in and out of area. I will strengthen coordination across departments so that our outreach efforts are supported by centralized communication platforms and stronger data sharing systems. This will make it easier to make virtual service appointments and participate in tribal programs, regardless of where people live, ensuring that our Caddo government is accountable to all tribal members and better able to serve them.
Eric Travis Guy,
Parents Farley & Arnita Pewewardy,
Grandparents Ralph and Juanita Keyes,
Great Grandparents Thomas Keyes and Nettie Parton Keyes
Grandparents Ross and Ruby Guy,
Grandparents Samuel "Doc" Pewewardy and Mary Lee Kaulaity Pewewardy
Education
Woodland High School 1991
Haskell Indian Nation University (Liberal Arts)
Cameron University (Liberal Arts)
Talking Leaves Job Corps 1994
Work History
27 yrs OTR/Regional Driver, CDL Instructor
5 yrs Tribal Advisor for CDL School
Caddo Nation Hearing Board Member
