08/21/2026
PRESS RELEASE: A New Chapter for Kiowa Workers: The Kiowa Legislature Passes the TERO Act
CARNEGIE, OK-The Kiowa Legislature has taken a meaningful step for our people. By passing the act that regulates the Kiowa Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO), our leaders have strengthened a tool that puts Kiowa workers, families, and businesses first. This is more than a legal update. It is an act of self-determination, rooted in the belief that economic activity on our land should first serve our own community.
What Is TERO?
The Tribal Employment Rights Office exists to ensure that work on tribal land benefits Native people. At its heart, TERO enforces what is known as Indian Preference — the principle that qualified Native Americans should be given priority in hiring, training, and contracting for jobs on our lands.
For generations, our people faced barriers to fair employment. Discrimination, limited access to training, and being passed over for work in our own territory kept opportunity out of reach. TERO was created to correct that history. Its purpose is clear: to reduce economic hardship, build a skilled workforce within the tribe, and move our community toward true self-sufficiency.
When a contractor breaks ground on tribal land or a business opens its doors here, TERO helps ensure that Kiowa citizens are part of that work — not left on the sidelines.
The Key Functions of TERO:
The office carries out several important responsibilities that keep this promise alive:
Enforcing Indian Preference. TERO requires employers and contractors operating on tribal land to prioritize qualified Native workers and Native-owned businesses.
Monitoring compliance. The office keeps watch to ensure businesses comply with tribal law, holding them accountable when they fall short.
Supporting workforce development. TERO invests in training and apprenticeships, so our citizens gain the skills to compete for good jobs, now and in the future.
Certifying Indian-owned businesses. By verifying which companies are genuinely Native-owned, TERO protects honest business owners and prevents others from wrongly claiming Native status.
Collecting fees. Businesses and contractors working on our land contribute fees. Those dollars flow directly back into employment programs that serve the community.
What's New in the 2025 Kiowa TERO Ordinance
The Legislature did not simply renew an old document. It modernized the ordinance to reflect our current needs and to align with the Kiowa Constitution. Several updates stand out.
Defining Kiowa Land and Jurisdiction
The new act clearly defines what land falls under Kiowa jurisdiction and where TERO authority applies. Clear boundaries mean clear enforcement. When the reach of tribal law is well understood, businesses know their obligations and our office can act with confidence. This clarity is an expression of our sovereignty — the inherent right of the Kiowa people to govern our own affairs on our own land.
Reaffirming Indian Preference
The ordinance renews and strengthens Indian Preference in hiring, training, and retention. Importantly, it places focus on local tribal citizens. This means the people who live in and around our community stand to benefit most directly. It is not enough to hire a worker and move on; the law emphasizes keeping our people employed and helping them grow in their careers.
Fee Structures That Fund Apprenticeships
The act introduces updated fees for businesses and construction contracts operating on tribal land. These are not fees that vanish into paperwork. Proceeds are directed toward apprenticeship programs and employment initiatives. In other words, the money earned from work on Kiowa land helps train Kiowa hands. A young citizen learning a trade today may build the roads, homes, and facilities of tomorrow.
Rigorous Certification for Indian-Owned Businesses
The updated certification process sets firm standards for what qualifies as a genuine Indian-owned business. This protects the integrity of our economy. Honest Native entrepreneurs deserve to compete without being undercut by companies falsely claiming Native ownership to gain an advantage. Strong certification keeps opportunity where it belongs.
Modernizing Outdated References
Finally, the ordinance updates old language and adapts to the realities of today's workforce and technology. Laws must keep pace with the times to remain effective. By refreshing outdated references, the Legislature ensures the ordinance can serve our people well into the future.
Why This Matters for the Kiowa People
This act is about more than jobs and contracts. It is about the strength of our community and the exercise of our sovereignty.
The Legislature's passage of the TERO Act reflects a simple, lasting value: what happens on Kiowa land should first lift Kiowa people. It honors those who came before us by protecting opportunity for those who come after.
For more information on the Kiowa Tribe TERO office, please visit https://www.kiowatribe.org/department/tribal-employment-rights-office
