Governor Bill AnoatubbyOur tribe has traveled far since 1964 Seeley Chapel gathering
When Chickasaws gathered at Seeley Chapel in 1964, none of us realized the new and progressive era that was just ahead for the Chickasaw Nation.
After decades of federal Indian policy that, most recently, had emerged from yet another termination period, Chickasaws had at least the feeling of progress. Overton James had been appointed Governor by President Kennedy and would later be elected by the Chickasaw people in our first modern election.
Oklahoma Rep. and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Carl Albert visited with us that day at Seeley Chapel. Speaker Albert was a longtime supporter of the Chickasaw Nation and of tribal sovereignty.
In those days things were "informal." We gathered under arbors to discuss the news of the day and to hear the reports from our tribal administration on the state of the Chickasaw Nation.
Needless to say, in those days the reports didn't take very long! Our entire budget was very small and was virtually 100 percent federal dollars. With these meager resources, the Chickasaw Nation was to care for its people.
In 1964, you could buy a gallon of gasoline or a loaf of bread for 20 cents. That doesn't sound like much now, but for many Chickasaws it was most often a struggle to afford even the basics. We knew, even back then, we had to get on the road to change our future for the better.
When I was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1979, we had made some progress. However, we knew we were not fulfilling so many needs of the Chickasaw people. We needed to build our tribe so we could produce the resources necessary to serve the people properly.
It was very clear to us in tribal administration that assistance from the federal government was not going to be the long-term answer to our needs. We would build businesses of our own.
As any start-up business person knows, in the beginning it can be a rocky road! We had our ups and downs, and more than our share of challenges. However, we Chickasaws stayed the course together and discovered the path that would support those programs and services so important to the people.
Today, as you know, we are engaged in a wide variety of commercial endeavors including entertainment, consulting, hospitality, health care, finance, manufacturing and media. We have built this diverse and growing base of businesses to generate the resources to serve Chickasaw people fully and well.
Our business success is a foundation that provides the resources for most of our important programs.
Today, any Chickasaw willing to do the work and keep his or her grades up receives financial assistance for education. We are now graduating more Chickasaw professionals and tradesmen than ever, and the number grows every year. With education, our young Chickasaws can meet the challenges of today's world head on.
Chickasaws now have the benefit of the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center, undoubtedly the finest Indian health care facility in the country. By utilizing our commercial resources, and engaging in an IHS joint venture agreement, Chickasaws now receive the very best in health care. We are also beginning construction on vastly enhanced medical clinics in Ardmore and Tishomingo.
Last year we dedicated our Chickasaw Cultural Center where Chickasaws and others can experience, enjoy and study Chickasaw culture and history.
We are building homes for Chickasaw families, assisting with home financing, opening senior sites, providing counseling and assistance to Chickasaw families in need, creating programs for our At-Large Chickasaws, and so much more.
Those gatherings at Seeley Chapel planted the seeds of progress for the Chickasaw Nation. Chickasaws understand struggle – the Lord knows what our people have endured. And Chickasaws understand how to overcome the challenges of life.
While we may never believe we "have it made," we have now achieved a self-sustaining path that offers a bright future for all Chickasaws.
