Governor Bill AnoatubbyTaking action key to serving Chickasaw citizens
By Bill Anoatubby, Governor, Chickasaw Nation
The year was 1933 and the country was suffering following the economic crash of 1929 and the onset of the Great Depression. Americans everywhere were out of work, and many had lost their farms and their homes. Soup lines were common in the cities.
Franklin D. Roosevelt had won the presidential election of 1932 with a promise to bring relief to the people and get the country moving again.
Early in 1933, FDR was meeting with his closest group of advisers - some of the brightest and most talented men in the country. Ideas were whizzing around the room and there was much argument and debate among the parties regarding how new initiatives would take shape. Much of the argument centered on details that could make - or wreck - a new program.
President Roosevelt, who had been listening silently, finally held up his hand. The din in the room subsided and all eyes turned to the president. The declaration FDR delivered was simply, "Above all, gentlemen - try something!"
This proved to be a prescient presidential utterance. FDR would preside over the "New Deal," a flurry of government action unlike anything seen previously in American history.
Taking action is fundamental to getting good things accomplished - for yourself, your family, your tribe and your country. We can debate the details all day, but without action, ideas become nothing more than fanciful dreams.
Those of us who work on your behalf at the Chickasaw Nation believe firmly our mission is to take those actions that will benefit the Chickasaw people. We also believe in positive reaction to information we receive from the Chickasaw citizens we represent.
Through our ongoing Listening Conferences and Chickasaw gatherings, we have been very fortunate to encounter some tremendous ideas. Chickasaw citizens have expressed to me, and others in our tribal government, the priorities that shape their lives. This is excellent information on which we can often take direct action.
As one example, we have determined there are scores of Chickasaws around the country with unique and often exceptional educational and work histories. Many of the skills these Chickasaws possess can be put to excellent use on behalf of all Chickasaw people.
We have established a human resources initiative that seeks out Chickasaws who match well with positions within the tribe. Our human resources people are targeting new Chickasaw graduates who have particular degrees or training. We have on staff a recruiter who seeks out exceptional Chickasaw students when they are in high school, then interacts with the students so they know of the professional career opportunities with their tribe.
Another example is our new Construction Management Services group. We listened to people and heard that homebuilding was becoming a real stretch because of the escalating costs of land, labor and materials. This new group assists in the homebuilding process with design, budgeting, quality control and general contracting processes. CMS can save Chickasaws on their homebuilding costs, and help produce a high quality home.
Another initiative is our Chickasaw small business development center. Entrepreneurial Chickasaws let me know they were very interested in receiving help as they established and grew their businesses. Our new center assists our small business people every step of the way as they navigate the world of American commerce.
These are but a few examples of how good information from citizens translates into action by the tribe.
To paraphrase President Roosevelt, we will always "try something!" that benefits Chickasaw people!
