Governor Bill Anoatubby‘Bricks and mortar’ projects promote enhanced citizen services
The beginning of the new year offers each of us time to reflect on the past, and make plans for a bright future for ourselves and our families.
For the Chickasaw Nation, the year just completed marked several notable accomplishments. We broke ground on our new Artesian Hotel in Sulphur, which promises to become a great destination spot for visitors. We dedicated our new Chickasaw Cultural Center, also in Sulphur. And what a fantastic achievement the Cultural Center is! We also dedicated our new tribal legislative and judicial buildings on the headquarters campus.
Probably most important of all, we dedicated our new Chickasaw Nation Medical Center in Ada. Our commitment to the highest quality health care for Chickasaws and our other Indian patients is manifested in this tremendous new facility.
The year 2010 was truly a banner year for the Chickasaw Nation!
It is important to note that our "bricks and mortar" projects are much more than simple buildings. We are builders because the facilities we develop or acquire lead to improvement of services and environment. They are an important pathway that leads us to do our jobs better.
As a prime example, most of us have now utilized or toured our new medical center. Patients, caregivers and actual care flow much more efficiently. If we compare our new medical center to the facility that preceded it, it is obvious the layout and design of our new facility accommodates a much higher level of service.
Our tribe is, and has always been, fully dedicated to the education of Chickasaws. We believe that a quality education is fundamentally important to the success and happiness of our Chickasaw families. In the year just completed, the Chickasaw Nation invested more resources than ever before in education programs for the full range of Chickasaw students. From our Head Start students to our post-doctoral academicians, our tribe offers tremendous levels of support.
The Chickasaw Nation invests in Chickasaws seeking educational achievement. The tribe provides a growing list of scholarships, grants, stipends, and support for equipment, books and other essential items. Whether a Chickasaw is a young child or a mature adult, the Chickasaw Nation is investing in their education.
We have also dedicated millions to additional health care programs, housing initiatives, employment opportunities, career development and much more. The Chickasaw Nation understands that buildings and facilities are important, but by far our most important investments are in our people.
Two years ago, in January 2009, the entire country was in economic turmoil. Americans had lost confidence in their financial institutions and their historic markets. Huge firms failed or were bailed out by the federal government, the stock market had crashed and the housing market was moribund. Things didn't look good.
Our Chickasaw Nation businesses stayed on course, and did more than survive. By strategically reinvesting in our businesses while competitors were scaling back, we attracted new customers and built loyalty among our returning customers. We expanded our stable of commercial ventures by acquiring Remington Park in Oklahoma City, updating the facility and opening to great results.
Our valued employees rededicated themselves to great service and that commitment has resulted in even more business. While companies across the country cut work forces, we have avoided layoffs and kept our people working.
For the fiscal year that began October 1, our businesses are experiencing exceptional growth and producing resources that continue to drive our critically important programs and services for Chickasaws. We are now setting records for productivity, net income and total business.
For the Chickasaw Nation, 2010 was a watershed year filled with achievements that will pay dividends far into the future. Together, as the most progressive tribe in the country, we are laying the strong foundation that will serve our people well for many generations.
Best wishes for a successful, productive and very happy 2011!
