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'We Lost A Proud Kiowa Woman': Kiowa Legislator Walks On

kiowatribe.org
Kiowa Legislator Angela Chaddlesone McCarthy

Kiowa Legislator Angela Chaddlesone McCarthy passed away on Thursday.

McCarthy was diagnosed with COVID-19 at the beginning of August. According to posts on her Facebook page, she was in the intensive care unit at Deaconess Integris Hospital in Oklahoma City. McCarthy's condition deteriorated and in the last few weeks she was put on a ventilator. She passed away late Thursday afternoon.

McCarthy was elected to the Kiowa legislature in 2018 and served as the speaker for the people of District Number 1. She had a passion for politics and worked her way up to serving in the Kiowa Government.

Jessie Svitak, the Kiowa legislator for District 4, said he looked up to McCarthy as a big sister and her death is a huge loss.

"Previous months, me and Angela really started growing close. Learning about this constitution with each other, teaching it to each other," Svitak said. "As for the loss of the tribe, we lost a proud Kiowa woman."

Svitak said that even though they didn't see eye to eye on some things, they were passionate about serving the Kiowa people in their capacity as legislators.

"There's times when we can do politics and there's times when we can be friends," said Svitak. "At the end of day, we're still Kiowa."

Chairman Matthew Komalty set aside his differences with the legislature to grieve and mourn for McCarthy's family. Over the last few months, Komalty and the legislature had been locked in a battle over spending of CARES Act funds as well as looming impeachment hearings.

"It is sad time for the Kiowa Tribe as we mourn the loss of one our tribal representatives. Angela Chaddlesone McCarthy served as the Speaker of the Legislature and representative for District 1 of the Kiowa Tribe," said Komalty. "Her passion for her people and love the tribe will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family."

Services for McCarthy will be announced in the coming days.

Allison Herrera covered Indigenous Affairs for KOSU from April 2020 to November 2023.
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