LAWTON, Okla. �?A legal victory that barred the construction of a military training facility on a site sacred to the Comanche Nation was a battle fought for their ancestors, said Comanche Tribal Chairman Wallace Coffey.

Medicine Bluffs is located just south of Fort Sill and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

“We had to take a stand…�?he said. “It‘s something our ancestors would expect us to do.�?/P>

Coffey made the remarks following a Sept. 23 injunction that was granted in federal district court to protect Medicine Bluffs, a site sacred to the 14,000-citizen tribe.

The tribe took the U.S. Army to court in August, asking that an alternate site be chosen for a multi-million training facility to be located on Fort Sill.

Coffey said the cultural sovereignty of the tribe was at risk in building on the Medicine Bluffs site and that he advocated for an alternate training facility location.

The issue of questionable consultation and violation of federal statutes regarding historic preservation were key in the case. A review of correspondence between tribal and Army officials show Comanche officials voicing alarm from the project’s onset that was brushed off by Army officials.

Army officials, including Fort Sill commanding officer Col. Robert Bridgford, said in several memos that contacting the tribe by letter and announcing intent qualified as substantial notice since the tribe did not respond, court documents show.

“The Comanche Nation chairman’s decision not to reply to our 106 consultation letter…are sufficient to satisfy me that the Comanche Tribe was given ample opportunity to comment on this undertaking,�?Bridgford wrote tribal officials in a July memo. “Fort Sill has fulfilled its responsibility to make a reasonable and good faith effort to consult with the Comanche Nation.�?/P>

In his decision, federal District Judge Timothy DeGuisti said the tribe exercised its right to protection under the Religious Freedom and Restoration Act. He said the tribe adequately established that the Medicine Bluffs site is sacred to the Comanches, according to the decision.

“The traditional religious practices of the Comanche people are inextricably intertwined with the natural environment. Their sacred ceremonies are intensely private,�?De Guisti said in his decision. �?/P>

The federal judge said the tribe showed “sincere exercise of religion�?regarding the site and the Army did not adequately show that an alternate site would would be restrictive to military interests. Any harm incurred by halting the project and adopting an alternate site “paled in comparison�?to the cultural damage experienced by the tribe.

“Defendants (Army) did not consider Plaintiff’s (Comanche Nation) religious interests at all when selecting the site…�?he said in the Sept. 23 decision.

Medicine Bluffs is located just south of Fort Sill and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.