Governor Bill AnoatubbyOur confidence in our tribal and national futures is well-placed
Our country faces many challenges as we enter the second decade of this new century.
Economically, the country has experienced very little growth over the past 10 years. The American stock market has been stagnant, job growth reversed course and highly-leveraged gambles on Wall Street created a meltdown from which we are still recovering.
On the education front, the country's generations-long advance stalled. In the past decade a growing percentage of Americans either dropped out of college or didn't enroll at all. Test scores and other measures of academic achievement slipped in many areas and funding for public education programs stalled or declined in virtually all states.
The cost of American health care continues to climb and has limited access to care for millions of Americans. Medicare and Medicaid programs have been curtailed due to the challenges of funding and the increases in costs from providers.
That's the bad news.
However, there is plenty to cheer about for both Chickasaws and the general American population.
Following the climactic economic events of 2008, the country has righted itself. Job growth must still gain a foothold, but American companies are once again recording profits, paying dividends and beginning to expand their work forces. The stock market has regained most of its nearly 50 per cent in lost value and confidence has returned to the American markets. The American economy is growing once again.
For the Chickasaw Nation, our tribal businesses are functioning at a high and efficient level. Our commercial net income has shown a healthy increase during 2010, and that is deeply gratifying. The dollars we earn in the marketplace are aggressively driving our investments in education, health care, housing, transportation and all the essential programs on which Chickasaws rely.
Our tribal education programs are booming – and achieving dramatic results. From our Head Start children to our post-graduate students, Chickasaw education programs are greatly improving the lives of our people. We invest so heavily in education – elementary, secondary, college and vocational – because we know it provides the modern tools Chickasaws need for productive, fulfilling lives.
I am so very proud of the scores of young Chickasaws I meet who are completing their college degrees. These people are the foundation on which our tribal future rests – and it is a strong foundation.
We have also committed tremendous resources to our new Chickasaw Nation Medical Center and our tribal health programs. Our new health care facility was designed from the ground up to serve Chickasaws and other Indian patients with the best equipment, technology and professionals in the country. The programs we have instituted in our health care agenda exist to best serve Chickasaws, provide them top quality medicine, and promote their continuing good health.
There are, no doubt, challenges ahead. However, it is appropriate to have faith in our country, and our tribe. The foundations on which the U.S. and the Chickasaw Nation are built are solid rock. There is a great "can do" spirit that exists. It is unique, and always gets good results.
We will hear the negative news through plenty of outlets. But our history tells us, if we work together, we will accomplish great things.
