Meet the candidates for the Caddo Nation 2025 Election
- aorcutt8
- Jun 9
- 11 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
CHAIRMAN CANDIDATES
Bobby Gonzalez
Caddo Nation Chairman and CNEDA Chairman
Chairman Bobby Gonzalez has built a decades-long career distinguished by his ability to foster collaboration among tribal nations, industry partners, and government agencies. His leadership is marked by deep relationship-building at the local, state, and federal levels, positioning him as a trusted and respected voice in tribal, regional, and national affairs. He has played a critical role in the collective leadership of area tribes, helping coordinate shared strategies in economic development, energy sovereignty, and intergovernmental advocacy.
Chairman Gonzalez’s expertise in energy spans midstream project development, environmental review, historical preservation, and mitigation planning. He has successfully navigated complex regulatory and business landscapes, ensuring that tribal interests are protected while long-term development is achieved.
A nationally respected figure in tribal-federal relations, Chairman Gonzalez founded the “To Bridge a Gap” conference, a groundbreaking forum that strengthens government-to-government relationships between tribal nations and the U.S. Forest Service. He has consulted with the Pentagon on environmental and cultural issues affecting tribes, and he played a pivotal role in the establishment of Oklahoma’s first Tribal Historic Preservation Office under Section 101(d)(2) of the National Historic Preservation Act.
His advocacy before the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee on Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) compliance has helped shape federal policy. He has worked closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to combat the looting of tribal cultural resources on federal lands.
In the energy sector, Chairman Gonzalez is a valued advisor to the U.S. Department of Energy. He was a featured speaker at the Department’s 2015 inaugural Tribal Energy Summit, and he now serves on the DOE’s Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Tribal Working Group, helping guide national policy on methane mitigation, repurposing legacy energy assets, critical mineral production, and carbon capture and storage infrastructure.
Chairman Gonzalez is a recent graduate of Harvard Business School’s “Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities” program, where he joined Indigenous leaders from across the globe to study best practices in economic development, governance, and community reinvestment.
Under Chairman Gonzalez’s visionary leadership, the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma has made a historic comeback. When he assumed office in 2021, the Nation was in crisis, emerging from pandemic closures with an empty administration building and fragile finances. Today, the Nation has been transformed:
Financial stability has been restored, with three consecutive clean audits, an internal accounting system, and a qualified tribal CFO in place
Over 1,000 acres of land have been reacquired, expanding opportunities for housing, enterprise, and cultural preservation
Key commercial and cultural properties in Anadarko have been secured, including George’s Department Store, McKee’s Indian Store, and the historic Redskin Theater
The Caddo Nation Resilience Plan has been created and is being implemented to guide sustainable development
The Nation has launched its 477 and 105(l) lease programs, reasserting control over service delivery and facility use
The tribal tax base has been rebuilt, and the Nation is preparing to control and monetize energy infrastructure through a Tribal Utility Authority
He also led the creation of the Native Renewables Symposium, now co-hosted with the University of Oklahoma, which convenes tribal leaders, policymakers, developers, and researchers to advance clean energy innovation across Indian Country.
Through the Caddo Nation Economic Development Authority (CNEDA), Chairman Gonzalez has seeded and scaled a portfolio of tribally owned enterprises, including Arrowood Kakinah (construction), Saku Development (solar energy), and CIFS (well-plugging and environmental services) — each supporting job creation, revenue generation, and energy sovereignty.
Eric Guy
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
Michael Meeks
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!)
TREASURER CANDIDATES
Verna Castillo
Hello fellow Caddo tribal members,
As we approach the 2025 Caddo Nation election, I respectfully ask for your support as I seek re-election for the position of Treasurer. My name is Verna Whitebead Castillo. I live in Binger and am the daughter of Reuben and Rhoda Whitebead. I was raised in both California and Scott, Oklahoma—just a few miles northeast of the Caddo Complex.
Serving as your Treasurer over the past four years has been an incredible journey. It has been both challenging and rewarding, and I’ve gained valuable knowledge and experience managing our Nation’s finances, grants, and contracts. Each funding source comes with specific regulations, and I’ve worked hard to ensure that we comply with all requirements while maximizing their impact for our people.
When I took office in 2021, the Nation’s finances were in crisis. Today, we stand on solid financial ground. I’m proud to report the following accomplishments:
• Three consecutive clean audits, with no findings of misuse
• Implementation of an internal accounting system for greater transparency and efficiency
• Hiring of a qualified tribal Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead our finance team
• Growth of tribal programs from 6 to 26, all operating effectively to serve our community
My journey of government service began when I was just 16 years old with my first job at Tinker Air Force Base. After college, I dedicated my career to the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Anadarko, where I worked across several departments including Human Resources, Individual Indian Money (IIM), Social Services, the CFR Court for Anadarko and Pawnee Agencies, and as a dispatcher for BIA Federal Law Enforcement. I retired from the BIA in 2015.
I attended school in California, East Walnut, Anadarko, and Binger. I later studied at Draughon’sBusiness College in Oklahoma City, Haskell Indian Junior College in Lawrence, Kansas, and the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha.
As a Caddo tribal member, I believe deeply in our people and our potential. We must continue working together to create more job opportunities and expand services for our citizens. I know the road ahead will bring challenges, especially when it comes to securing federal funding and grants—but I remain committed, and I believe in our ability to move forward together.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. I respectfully ask for your vote to continue this important work as your Caddo Nation Treasurer.
Thank you,
Verna Whitebead Castillo
Anthony Cotter
Hello, my name is Anthony Cotter, my family, on my Caddo side, are Edge, Smith, Frank, Brown, Reynolds, Shaw, & Whitebeads as well as many more.
I was born and raised in Anadarko, to the Late LD Cotter and Kathleen Edge. I graduated from Ft. Cobb High School in 1985, and then from Eastern Oklahoma State College in 2012 with my degree in Criminal Justice, Management and Ethics.
My wife of 16 years Doreen, and I, have been foster parents to three Caddo children over the years and last March we adopted our twins, who are also Caddo. I was Caddo Chairman in 2014 and know full well how Tribal Politics work as I have experienced them first hand.
We have moved home, and with the expertise I've learned from tribal employment for over twenty years, I believe I have a lot to offer my own tribe as a member of Council.
It is time for all Caddo Tribal Members to be heard, the Buddy system has no place in our tribe and I want to make sure we're all heard.
I'd Appreciate your vote for Caddo Nation Treasurer
OKC REPRESENTATIVE CANDIDATES
Brittany Habbart
My name is Brittany Habbart, and I am running for Oklahoma City Representative. I am the granddaughter of Cheryl Edge Dutton and descendant of the Edge and Inkanish families.
I am a lawyer and a graduate of the Indian Legal Program at Arizona State University’s law school. My experience spans across tribal finance, federal policy, and the judiciary. I have worked at a law firm specializing in tribal public finance, served as a Policy Fellow at the National Congress of American Indians, and completed internships with the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Superior Court of Arizona, and former Representative Deb Haaland.
As someone who did not grow up near the Tribe, I truly care about the connection of our members and want to listen to what everyone has to say no matter what their background is. I am thankful for our members who are comfortable openly voicing their needs but sometimes people need individual focus and overall it will be helpful to see which needs our members collectively ask for. My plan, if elected, is to create an anonymous submission form for issues and suggestions, which I promise I will not disclose anyone’s names, and work towards addressing the needs of our Oklahoma City community. At our meetings, I would announce the status updates of the anonymous individual summarized complaints.
I am very communicative, love to plan events, and am good at using social media/technology. I have held multiple leadership roles in local and national organizations, including serving as: the Secretary of the National Native American Law Students Association (“NALSA”); Career Chair for ASU NALSA; President of the Native Cohort at Ohio State; and PR Chair of the Native American Bar Association of D.C. In these leadership roles, I have organized and budgeted multiple events and programs and collaborated with tribal communities, school administrations, and other local and national organizations. In many of these roles, I was the person primarily responsible for sending out newsletters/social media posts and organizing events. I enjoy having folks come together and also being informed on what is happening around them.
I see the Oklahoma City Representative role as someone who is truly there to help the Caddos in the area, to create spaces where Caddos can come together for both fun and to share their concerns, and to serve as a resource to communicate what is happening with the Tribe. If given the honor to serve our district, I know that I can fulfill that role. Thank you for your time considering me as your next representative and I hope you vote July 12, no matter the candidate.
Jennifer Wilson
KWAH A HUT, My name is Jennifer Wilson and I’m running for the Caddo Nation Oklahoma City District seat.
My family is from the Joe Cross family from Colony, OK. My Caddo grandmother was Francis Elliot. I live in Norman, OK and taught in the public school system for 25 years and am now retired. I am the mother of 4 children and 7 grandchildren. Since my retirement I have been involved with my church activities and play tennis as often as I can.
I helped organize the Caddo Metro Cultural Club which promotes the Caddo language, songs, and dances for the Caddo people here in the metro area as well as all Caddos. Since 2011 we have organized the Caddo Festival with the help of the funding from the OK Arts Council, the OK Humanities, and the Caddo Tribe. The festival brings together all Caddos for a day to learn about our history and spend the afternoon dancing, singing and coming together to fellowship.
The last three years I have seen our tribe move forward with the help of the American Rescue Plan monies, from the federal government, our council, and our chairman. Every cent we have spent has been with the help of our legal counsel to make sure we could legally spend the federal dollars. There are some tribes that did not follow the guidelines and are in trouble with the federal government and may have to pay back some of their monies.
With some of the monies, we have acquired land for future investment for economic development. We are also working toward self- governance so as not have to rely on the BIA. One of the ways to do this is to have 3 clean audits. We have two and are almost finished with the third one. We will continue to move forward for the Caddo people.
This is an exciting time for the Caddo peopIe and I ask for your vote on July 12th to continue the work for the Caddo people. Go to the Caddo Nation website to fill out the form to register to vote, and/or request an absentee ballot if unable to vote at a polling site in person.
BINGER REPRESENTATIVES
-NO FILINGS RECEIVED-
HEARING BOARD
Arnita Pewewardy-Keyes
My name is Arnita Pewewardy, I am a member of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma.
I’m excited about this opportunity to be a member of the Hearing Board. I would like to provide a brief introduction. I’m a retired federal employee from the Indian Health Service (IHS). I completed 30 years of service all with IHS. My career with IHS began at the Lawton Indian Hospital and has carried me through various facilities within in Oklahoma, IHS Headquarters and ended at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center. I worked in the Nursing / Administration/ OEH departments throughout my career.
I have always had a passion to work in IHS due its mission to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level. It is my hope to be a liaison for our people. If I’m elected I will do my utmost to be fair .
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