During an address interrupted more than 20 times by applause, Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby said "the state of the Chickasaw Nation is the strongest it has ever been in modern times."
"The number of Chickasaws pursuing their educations and going on to earn their degree is higher than ever before, our economy is strong, employment opportunities here and around the country have grown since we gathered here one year ago," said Gov. Anoatubby.
As he continued, he focused on the idea that the Chickasaw people have worked together to achieve success.
"We have always worked for a better way of life. And the key word is we," said Gov. Anoatubby. "Today, we unite to continue in the protection of our sovereign rights. Together, we carry on the torch passed to us to improve the lives of Chickasaw people."
To illustrate that idea, Gov. Anoatubby brought each administrator of the 17 divisions of tribal government on stage to talk about recent achievements in economic development, health care, education, housing, economic development, and other areas.
Economic Development
Tribal revenues continue to grow and the operations budget of the tribe doubled from the previous year as a result of an increase in tribal services, according to Jenny Trett, administrator of the Division of Treasury.
Gov. Anoatubby also introduced Brian Campbell, administrator of the Division of Commerce, to the audience.
"Business development is vital to our continued progress," said Gov. Anoatubby. "With the growth of our economy, we can continue to expand and meet the needs of all Chickasaws"
Mr. Campbell discussed plans to expand the WinStar casino, which has been profitable for the tribe as well as having a positive impact on the local economy.
"Independent developers continue to develop the surrounding areas with homes, restaurants and other businesses," said Mr. Campbell, who also discussed newly developed programs to encourage individual entrepreneurship.
Health Care
"Health care has been, and continues to be, a priority," said Gov. Anoatubby as he introduced Bill Lance, Administrator of the Chickasaw Nation Health System.
Mr. Lance outlined plans for a new state-of-the-art hospital facility to be constructed in Ada.
The new facility will be nearly three times the size of the Carl Albert Indian Health facility in Ada.
"No other tribe has ever constructed and equipped a healthcare facility this large," said Mr. Lance. "Creation of the new hospital will add approximately 300 new employment positions in the coming years, which will positively impact Chickasaw people and our local economies."
Expansion of services will include increasing the number of dental chairs from 10 to 31.
Several new services to be added include an imaging department with two CT scans, MRI and digital mammography.
Education
More than $7 million in tribal funds were distributed last year in the form of scholarships and grants, according to Lisa John, administrator of the education division.
More than 300 Chickasaw students received laptop scholarships and more than 2,300 received textbook grants.
Lona Barrick, administrator of the Division of Arts and Humanities said there has been tremendous growth in the Summer Arts Academy and other programs to.
"Our After School Arts program reaches more than 6,000 students and teaches them not only about art, but about Chickasaw heritage and culture."
Youth and Family
Gov. Anoatubby said "Healthy families make up the very foundation of a healthy and strong nation," as he introduced Jay Keel, administrator of the Division of Youth and Family.
Mr. Keel said that more than 5,000 students across the U.S. received clothing grant assistance this year. He also pointed out that this school year students at the Chickasaw Children's Village earned an average GPA of 3.04 and seven of those students earned college scholarships.
More than 1,000 Chickasaw youth attended a variety of camps and academies this summer and more than 1,000 students at seven different sites are enrolled in the martial arts program.
Future plans for the youth and family division include an outdoor recreational facility in Ada complete with gymnasium, tennis courts, basketball courts, softball fields, soccer fields as well as a walking and running track.
Tribal Development
Wayne Scribner, administrator of the division of housing and tribal development, explained that the home mortgage program had been expanded to Chickasaw s across the U.S.
He said the division had expanded the storm shelter program and completed several new facilities this year.
"Our tribal development team completed the Pharmacy Refill Center, the Tishomingo Senior Site addition, the Tishomingo Wellness Center, the two community centers, the Chickasaw White House, the housing administration building and are nearing competition on the education building, the sick child daycare center, the Duncan Senior Site, and the Government Services building… just to name a few," said Mr. Scribner.
Program Operations
Pat Woods, administrator of the program operations division, said that more than 650 young people were employed in the Summer Youth program this year.
More than 500 new computers have been distributed to Chickasaws and more than 2,000 Chickasaw elders have received assistance with utility payments.
A newly developed Career Development Initiative has already given more than 100 individuals with barriers to employment an opportunity to work. Participants in this program also take part in GED classes, as well as training in life skills and budgeting.
Governor Anoatubby said that the Career Development Initiative is one example of several programs which serve a dual purpose.
"Our horticulture program, the Career Development Initiative, Landscaping School-to-Work - all of these programs provide great employment and educational opportunities while at the same time meeting much needed services for Chickasaw people."
Culture
Kelley Lunsford, Administrator of the division of culture, said that the Chickasaw Culture center should be completed by fall of 2008.
"In addition to the learning opportunities that will be available at the new cultural center, we are developing the "Hayochi: The Chickasaw Discovery Center" here in Tishomingo," said Ms. Lunsford. "Hayochi will be more than just a center, but a community space for traditional events to serve Chickasaw people."
Other achievements of the division include an award for best interpretive exhibit from the Oklahoma Museums Association. The Chickasaw Council House Museum received the award for Hina Lawa Linoatok - We Have Walked Many Roads.
Amanda Cobb-Greetham is the administrator of the recently created division of history, research and scholarship.
She explained that her division will collect historical documents, genealogical records, and oral histories which will eventually be housed in the Holisso Center for the Study of Chickasaw History and Culture.
"The Holisso Center, which is currently under construction, will be a state-of-the-art facility, especially designed to protect and house the documents that are so precious to our families." said Ms. Cobb-Greetham.
"We not only collect documents of our history, we write and publish our own histories as well through the Chickasaw Press," she added. "As a matter of fact, I'm pleased to announce that our first publication, Chickasaws: Unconquered and Unconquerable received a gold medal for excellence from the Independent Publisher's Association."
Two new titles release in honor of the first anniversary of the Chickasaw Press are Never Give Up!: The Life of Pearl Carter Scott by Paul Lambert and Chickasaw Lives by Richard Green.
Several new projects are underway including a biography of Chickasaw Governor Douglas Johnston.
"We have done great things together," said Gov. Anoatubby. "We have built a strong foundation, but there is still much to be done.
"What do we have left to accomplish? We won't be finished until every Chickasaw has access to health care, every Chickasaw has the opporunity for a good job, and each Chickasaw has every opportunity to make their dream a reality."
