Anadarko is a city of roughly 7,500 set in the Western plains. It’s home to seven federally recognized tribes—the largest concentration of tribal governments in the country. And today, the rural community is reaping the benefit from millions of dollars of tribal investment in the area.
“About 10 to 15 years ago, we had empty buildings in our downtown,” recalls David Scott, executive director of the Anadarko Chamber of Commerce. At the time, the city had lost a couple of its major employers and, with it, roughly 10% of the workforce. “But what we’ve seen here recently in the last few years, we have been really thankful for the leadership of our tribes,” says Scott.
Anadarko is home to seven federally recognized tribes: Apache Tribe, Caddo Nation, Comanche Nation, Delaware Nation, Fort Sill Apache Tribe, Kiowa Tribe and Wichita and Affiliated Tribes. 
The city of Anadarko, located 50 miles southwest of Oklahoma City, is known as the “Indian Capital of the Nation.” 
“Unity Park is evidence of how the tribes have come together with the state and with the city,” notes Rep. David Perryman. Flags represent the tribes, state and nation. 
Tribal governments are filling that gap yet again by providing jobs, by creating businesses, says Anadarko Mayor Kyle Eastwood. 
Mayor Eastwood on new businesses: “It’s not just about the wages going into that employee’s pocket, it’s about where that employee is spending those wages.” 
The tribal contribution to emergency services brings a higher level of protection that Anadarko’s Fire Chief Greg Stone says is vital to the growth of a community. 
One piece of equipment the tribes helped purchase was a thermal imaging camera. Firefighters use it to quickly locate people and move them to safety. 
The Delaware Nation contributed $1.7 million toward replacing a deteriorating bridge. 
The tribes helped gain funding for water and sewer treatment upgrades in the infrastructure. 
“In my experience,” says Rep. David Perryman, “the tribes are ready and willing partners in making sure that Oklahoma is a place where people want to live.”
Empty storefronts have transformed into opportunities and jobs. New roads have opened, and bridges have been repaired. The fire department is utilizing a state-of-the-art thermal imaging camera to save lives. A new brush truck is being used to contain large grass fires. And funding for water and sewer treatment upgrades is improving the infrastructure.
“I can’t even image what it would be like if we didn’t have the tribes here,” notes Scott. “If the tribes succeed, then everybody succeeds.”
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