For Immediate Release
Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Business Committee

The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma’s Bah-Kho-Je Child Development Center is officially opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 28,2026. The new Bah-Kho-Je Child Development Center is designed with a focus on sensory awareness and community needs while addressing a significant local shortage of educational placements for young children.

Chairman Jacob Keyes expresses, “the new Bah-Kho-Je Child Development Center represents an important investment in our children, our families, and the future of the Iowa Tribe. This facility will be a major upgrade from our current center, providing a modern, safe, and welcoming environment where our children can learn and grow. Along with our new clinic, it is part of a larger effort to expand essential services and improve the quality of life for our tribal citizens and the surrounding community. We are proud to see this vision becoming a reality and look forward to opening the doors soon.”

The facility’s innovative design prioritizes a supportive learning environment. Classrooms and hallways are organized by color—such as the “Blue Room” and “Orange Room”—to help children navigate the space intuitively. To manage sensory overload, the building incorporates specialized acoustic sound boards and ceiling baffles designed to absorb noise and reduce sound travel, creating a calmer atmosphere for students.

“It is very exciting to expand our childcare services for the Iowa Tribe and for the community. It is always comforting to know our children are being taken care of while we are trying to provide for them and their future,” states Treasurer Judy Barnes.

A key feature of the new building is its commitment to safety. Two classrooms are specially constructed to double as storm cellars, allowing children and staff to shelter in place securely during severe weather without leaving the premises.

The facility also includes a commercial-grade kitchen to provide daily meals for up to 60 children, a teacher resource center, dedicated office space, and ample storage solutions to maintain an organized environment. The lobby and shared spaces feature culturally relevant art, including depictions of buffalo and eagles.

The growth of the Bah-Kho-Je Childcare Development Center is personal to so many people as Councilperson Abraham Lincoln shares, “with both of my children, Lydia and Waylonn, attending Four Winds Early Head Start since birth, it has truly been an amazing journey. Watching each of them grow, learn, and develop through this program has been eye-opening and something I’m extremely thankful for. We’ve watched Four Winds grow right alongside them, from the original center, to expanding into the modular building, and now preparing to open a new, state-of-the-art center more conveniently located right here in Perkins. I can’t wait to see what this next chapter brings. Not only for my children, but for all our children and families throughout our tribal community. Seeing where we started, how far we’ve come, and knowing the opportunities this new facility will provide makes me incredibly excited for what’s ahead.”

Tamera Perry, Early Childhood Director, also emphasizes, “We are excited to open our doors and provide a safe, nurturing, and effective learning environment.”

Further information or details can be requested from Tamera Perry, Early Childhood Director, for the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma at (405) 547-5826 or tperry@iowanation.org.

April 12, 2026 | 1:00pm – 6:00pm

Chena Building

Featuring: Author William Green

AGENDA
1:30pm – 2:30pm: Author Talk
2:30pm: Traditional Meal
3:30pm – 6:30pm: Storytelling

• Tribal Members (Must present Tribal ID to receive discount(s))
• Public

Ask about tournament pricing.

Schedule your tee time at 405-547-5701.

Cimarron Trails Golf Course
1400 Lovers Lane
Perkins, OK 74059

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STOP! These are all scams.

Government agencies won’t call, email, or text you and ask for money or personal information. Only a scammer will do that.

Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

HEATERS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Beginning October 1st 2024.

• MUST be Native American
• MUST live in jurisdiction
• MUST have completed application

For more information, please contact Crystal Springer, Social Services Director, or Camilla Littleton, Administrative Assistant at 405-547-2402. See the flyer below for more details.

Download the application here: Heater Application

Legal Services – IHS Compact Proposal Development and Negotiations

The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma (ITO) invites and welcomes proposals from licensed attorney(s)/law firms to provide legal services in connection with the development of a P.L. 93-638 compact proposal and subsequent negotiations with the Indian Health Service to execute a Title V compact for the Programs, Services, Functions and Activities (PSFAs) currently operated under a P.L. 93-638 Title I contract. All proposals submitted for consideration must be received by the time specified above under the “Submission Deadline” in the RFP.  The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma (ITO) is a Federally Recognized Indian Tribe operating their PFSAs in the Perkins Family Clinic (PFC) under a P.L. 93-638 Title I Contract with Indian Health Services in Perkins, Oklahoma. The Tribe has successfully operated their IHS PFSAs under a Title I contract since 2007. Recently, the ITO received a Tribal Self-Governance Negotiation Cooperative Agreement to complete the development of a Title V Compact proposal that will be negotiated and executed with the Indian Health Service to begin operating under the compact with an anticipated start date of January 1, 2025.  Intent to Submit Proposal due September 25, 2024, to ascott@iowanation.org. Proposal due October 21, 2024, to ascott@iowanation.org. Please see the below attachments for the RFP.

ITO PFC RFP for Legal Services-IHS Compact Development and Negotiations Revision 9.5.24

RFP Self Governance Negotiation Addendum No. 01

If you have not received an email confirmation by September 1st, please get in touch with Administration to verify the accuracy of your email address.

If you have not already done so, please contact the Tribal Administration office and supply them with an email address to establish an account on the Member Portal Page.

Administration can be reached at 405-547-2402 for further inquiries during regular business hours.