Progress and Renewal for the Caddo Nation: Update from Chairman Bobby Gonzalez

Progress and Renewal: An Update from Caddo Nation Chairman Bobby Gonzalez

Caddo Nation Chairman Bobby Gonzalez

Three years ago, we stood at a crossroads. The pandemic had taken a heavy toll as we lost elders, language speakers—irreplaceable wisdom. Our government buildings were empty, services had stopped, and our people were hurting not only from loss but in some cases financially due to the pandemic.

But we chose to fight. We chose to rebuild.

When the federal government provided an opportunity for relief under American Rescue Plan, we treated it not as a give-away, but as a sacred responsibility. We hired talent—legal counsel, a CFO, grant advisors—and brought our talent home with language program, media department, and tribal administrator. We ended reliance on outside firms and achieved THREE consecutive clean audits, setting the stage for regaining full self-governance for the first time in our living memory.

We didn't just reopen the Nation—we reimagined it.

We created the Caddo Nation Economic Development Authority, which is not just building businesses, it's helping build a nation. We're healing the land, rebuilding our communities, and powering our future—with our own hands.

We aggressively expanded our land base with over 1,000 acres reclaimed:

• 126 acres near Hinton for the Childcare Center and cultural trails

• 188 acres along I-40 for future housing and economic development

• The Gracemont Convenience Store now operated by the Nation

• Commercial properties across Anadarko—George's Department Store, McKee's Indian Store, Susan Peters Gallery, and most recently, the Redskin Theater

We are not renting our future anymore. We are owning it.

We created and are now implementing the Caddo Nation Resilience Plan. We started to plan the next steps:

• Master planning mixed-use, energy-resilient communities along I-40

• Installing solar, microgrids, and energy infrastructure as needed

• Building energy-efficient homes for our people

We launched the 477 Plan and 105(l) leasing strategy, modernizing our governance and reclaiming control from the Bureau of Indian Affairs to manage our education, training, and child care programs, and our government facilities. We are finalizing our Tribal Utility Authority study, preparing to control and monetize energy on our lands. We are seeking 8(a) certification for our enterprises to access set-aside federal contracts and bring resources directly to our Nation.

Every step is about sovereignty. Every step is about empowerment.

Our progress has earned national and regional recognition. I was honored to attend Harvard Business School's Leading People and Investing in Sustainable Communities Program. Our solar company Saku shared its vision at the Tribal Renewable Energy Finance Forum. We are preparing the Second Annual Native Renewables Symposium with the University of Oklahoma, shaping tribal energy futures.

Serving on the Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Tribal Working Group is an honor. The working group was started by the US Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (DOE FECM) and aims to provide recommendations on effectively supporting Tribes in optimizing and decarbonizing their natural resources.

The Caddo Nation is becoming a model for Indian Country. And beyond.

However, my relatives, let us be clear: we are at a fragile moment.

The foundation is laid, but it is not yet finished. The Nation has momentum—but momentum can be lost. If we change course now, if we regress into instability, infighting, or chasing short-term promises—everything we have built risks collapse.

Our Caddo teachings say: "Stay within the light. Do not look back."

Today, I ask you—I urge you—stay with the light. Support continuity. Support discipline. Support vision. We are not done. We are just getting started. Over the next 5 years, our decisions will have generational impacts.

"Let's choose strength over division. Let's choose vision over chaos. Let's choose resilience over regression."

We have proven that the Caddo people can govern ourselves with honor. We have proven that we can reclaim our land, heal our communities, and shape our own future. Now we must keep going.

As we greet each new dawn together, let us rise with the morning sun toward the future our ancestors dreamed of—the Nation our children deserve.

Sincerely,

Chairman Gonzalez