Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Bah-Kho-Je Child Development Center Opens with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
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.
