(KNZA)--A caravan, complete with Kickapoo Tribal Police escort, accompanied Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, Adjutant General Major General Lee Tafanelli, Kansas Water Office Director Tracy Streeter and Kansas Native American Affairs Director Chris Howell, as the state officials viewed, first hand, the water needs of the Kickapoo Tribe. 

The first stop was the Kickapoo Tribal Office, on the Kickapoo Reservation, where Brownback Wednesday personally greeted Tribal Chairman Steve Cadue, who then had brief  conversations with other members of the state delegation, joined by other members of the Tribal Council. 

Brownback says his visit to the reservation near Horton is timed with the recent struggles incurred by the tribe, based on water shortages created by the summer's drought conditions(Play Audio)

Brownback said the goal, for the firsthand look at the issue, is to consider possibilities of assistance for the tribe, as well as to examine the tribe's contingency plan(Play Audio) 

Major General Tafanelli says he was asked to accompany the governor based on the role he would play if the state needs to supply the tribe with water(Play Audio)

Wednesday's visit included a tour of the tribe's water supply, with Tuesday's primary election winners, State Senator Dennis Pyle and State Representative Randy Garber, also accompanying the Governor. 

Brownback's visit wrapped up with a brief public ceremony held at the Pow Wow Park Shelter House on the Reservation. 

All customers of the Kickapoo Tribal water supply, meanwhile, remain under a mandatory conservation plan, based on the extremely low levels brought on by the drought.