You spoke. We listened.

The Kiowa Tribe Executive Branch has put together a list of Frequently Asked Questions for its tribal members. We understand, there has been a lack of communication and our mission is to improve communication to our tribal members. This might not answer every question you have right now, but we hope to build on this document. We plan to be more transparent and responsive.

To successfully submit your application, you will need to submit the application and a copy of your Kiowa Tribal ID or letter issued by the Kiowa Tribal Enrollment office. Another option accepted; you may submit a copy of your CDIB issued by the BIA as long as it indicates on the card that you are enrolled Kiowa and it includes your tribal enrollment number. You will only need to submit one form of tribal identification, both are not necessary. 

No checks will be handed out. All checks will be mailed. Make sure the address on the application is correct so that you can receive a check in a timely and efficient manner. 

 Earlier this year, the previous CFO and the Executive branch started following the opportunity and applied. They reviewed all of the qualifications, completed the necessary paperwork, and received monies in May and June. 

According to the CARES Act, funds were to be disbursed based on need. We reviewed and followed those guidelines closely, hired an auditing firm to help us, and developed the original application form so that tribal members could request assistance for four types of assistance which were; increased food costs, with bills, elderly assistance, and distant learning needs for students. 

We received an injunction from the Legislature and the courts to stop all payments until a new budget was passed that included the CARES Act funds. 

All bounced checks are being resolved. We have worked with the bank to resolve any outstanding issues and eliminate any associated fees. See the form on the webpage www.kiowatribe.org if you need assistance for check re-issuance. 

That the Executive Branch must carry out the new budget passed by the Legislature, Kiowa Indian Council (KIC). 

The Executive branch has requested further guidance from Legislature on their concerns, including whether this $1,000 would be considered a per capita payment (which is not an allowable use of the funds), preparing for possible audits, determining who qualifies for the funds, and identifying who ultimately will be responsible for paying back the funds if guidelines aren’t followed. 

New applications are being received and checks will be distributed accordingly. 

Download and complete an application online or call the main number to have it mailed, emailed, or faxed to you. Please include a copy of your tribal ID. You may call us at 580-951-0840 for any covid19 related questions. 

An injunction was filed by Legislature to stop all payments from the original application process and guidelines. The Executive Branch is following court orders to disburse a payment according to Order, but we have filed another court order response to give more clarification on new guidelines and who will be responsible for paying back the money if the US Treasury guidelines are not followed. 

The Executive branch has communicated that there will not be enough money in the budget that was approved to meet those $1000 payments to each tribal member and asked how Legislature would like to handle the situation. The Chairman’s primary responsibility is to make sure all US Treasury guidelines are met. If they are not, the tribe will be responsible for paying back the money of which it DOES NOT have. 

The tribal members that received more than $1000 were part of the original application process that was needs-based, following guidelines based on the assessment of eight core areas. Food, utilities, and distance learning, and elderly assistance were the four main areas of consideration. 

No, the first application process was based on need and had guidelines that were established that assured everyone who applied had a need and was paid according to the formula. 

We will be analyzing who received less than $1000 and will send out the difference to those recipients. You will not have to submit a new application. 

Yes, if the funds distributed do not follow the US Treasury guidelines, the Kiowa Tribe will have to pay back funds. 

No, Chairman did not favor family members or friends. There was an application process put in place based on need, and each applicant was treated without bias. 

The tribal members that received more than $1,000 were part of the Chairman and Executive Branch’s original application process and were based on a needs assessment that followed guidelines based on the assessment of eight core areas that met individual needs. 

From the research we have done, they all disbursed based on needs and did not allow for per capita payment to tribal members. 

Recovery, Response, and Prepare. To the tribal members, administrative costs to get those funds out, and new programs to help with the care of tribal members in the act of being prepared for the next wave. 

Yes, all tribal members are eligible. 

Guidelines, rules, and procedures have been put into place as instructed. 

We encourage all tribal members to get tested; tribal employees must test every 30 days and provide documentation of the results. Positive testing results in quarantining and other measures may take place for the departments the employee is working in. We will disinfect the area or office before employees returning to work. 

Assistance for increased food costs and housing assistance from the Housing Authority, for which elders can qualify. 

Plans are in place to set up another center to help with the transit needs, including the possible purchase of additional vans. 

All members have the same rights, regardless of where they live. 

Same as tribal members regardless of action and as long as we have your current address. If we do not have your current address, please call us or email us with that information. 

If you have not received a check, you will fill out the new application located on our website at www.kiowatribe.org 

Yes, if you have not received a check, you will need to re-submit the new application and you can download that from our websites, www.kiowatribe.org, or call us at 580-951-0840 to have it emailed, faxed, or mailed to you. 

We are processing them as quickly as we can. We will post updates on our website and social media on its progress. 

We are waiting for confirmation from Legislature, but it appears ALL tribal members will qualify which would include minors. The issue is, the current budget passed by the Legislature does not have enough allocated funds in the budget to meet that promise. 

As long as funding is available, there is no deadline. We have to spend all monies by December 31, 2020. 

 You can call us at 580-951-0840 or email us at covid19@kiowatribe.org. 

 No checks will be handed out. All checks will be mailed. 

Call the main office at 580-654-2300 or 6681 and ask for the tax commission office or email tax@kiowatribe.org. 

8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday 

You will need to come to the office in person; the staff will efficiently handle the issues. You will need proof of insurance for renewal. 

Contact or visit the tax commission office, the documents needed are provided to you by that office before you leave. 

Yes, the budget passed on August 22, 2020. This budget period covers the time between July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021. 

You can call or email us at the main office. The approved budget will be on the website under the Election Commission tab. 

The first budget was compiled by the Executive Branch in January before COVID-19 became a risk in the U.S. When the tribe received additional CARES Act funds from the Federal Government in May and June, an injunction was filed, and the Legislature submitted a new budget to KIC for approval that contained those new funds. 

There are concerns that the budget does not represent accurate numbers. We are working through those questions and concerns with the Legislature. 

Qualified auditing firms are contracted and work in collaboration with the Treasurer to ensure funds are spent according to the annual budget. 

Call the main office at 580-654-2300 for general questions. 

Call 580-951-0840 for any Covid19-related questions. 

You can also email us at covid19@kiowatribe.org. 

Or fax us at 580-951-0877. Our website is www.kiowatribe.org 

We recommend emailing us or faxing us at 580-951-0877. Covid19-related questions can be sent to covid19@kiowatribe.org. 

Tribal policy does not allow or exercise nepotism. 

In Section VII of the Kiowa Tribes HR policies and procedures: 

The Kiowa Tribe’s policies do not permit the employment of an individual in a department where one employee has direct control over making employment decisions about an immediate family member such as supervision, hiring, salary/pay, or promotion; such activity would be considered to be nepotism. Direct control is where an immediate family member is in the direct line of authority to another, no matter how far removed; due to the potential influence based on the relationship. 

You can email or call our office. 

Call the main office at 580-654-2300 for general concerns. Call 580-951-0840 for any covid19 funds-related questions or needs or email us at covid19@kiowatribe.org. Our fax number is 580-951-0877 and our website is www.kiowatribe.org. 

On our website or Facebook page (@TheKiowaTribe) 

We are in the process to hire a part-time person to be able to respond to post questions. 

Yes, we plan to communicate often to tribal members and look forward to more videos to help with updates, any new programs, etc. Additionally, watch for our FB live streams and podcasts. 

The executive branch and all of its team members have an ethical and moral responsibility as well as attorneys that guide us. 

When Chairman took office 4 years ago, there were approximately 50 employees to run our programs and the audits for our programs were behind when he took office. Before the pandemic, the employee count was approximately 160. Chairman has managed to bring all audits up to date, so the tribe has received additional federal funding. In addition to getting 

the tribe compliant, Chairman has started many programs that have brought additional jobs and services to the tribe. 

No. Thanks to the work of the Chairman and Executive branch, the tribe is in a much better cash position today compared with four years ago. 

The Enrollment office reported 14,108 when we applied for CARES Act funds. 

Policies are in place with our procurement and finance offices. You can request information by contacting the main office. 

 You can review all programs the Kiowa Tribe offers at www.kiowatribe.org. 

If you have medical insurance, you can go to the place of your choice. There are IHS locations in Lawton, Clinton, Carnegie, and Anadarko. 

4 years