Governor Bill AnoatubbyGovernments exist for one reason - to serve the people well!
Throughout history, countries, states and governments of all kinds have come and gone. A few of those include the Roman Empire, the Ottoman Empire and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
As time moves forward, conditions change, as do the requirements of the people governments serve. When studying the decline of this vast array of diverse governing entities, several things become clear. As governments grow more mature, they often grow larger and less flexible. It becomes harder to change with the conditions, and the status quo is guarded with a vengeance.
The element of decline that stands out most is that governments forget why they exist and who it is they serve. That may seem very fundamental, but it is amazing how consistently the people the government is in place to serve are shoved further to the back of the line.
At the Chickasaw Nation, we have grown by leaps and bounds over the past 25 years. Our tribe has grown in so many different ways – in citizens, in programs and services, in employees, in business. Whatever metric you apply to the Chickasaw Nation, the outcome consistently says “growth!”
Growth is a great part of our tribe. It means we are moving forward, creating more opportunities for Chickasaws and serving more people more effectively.
Our growth has served us well because we have managed that growth conservatively. We have not “gotten ahead of ourselves.” We have worked hard to grow our tribal businesses in a controlled manner and, as a result, those businesses now contribute most of the resources we need to fulfill our responsibilities to Chickasaws.
It would be easy to focus strictly on the commercial side of our tribe, but that would be a real mistake. Our focus is, and will always be, on the Chickasaw people our tribal government serves. That is our mission: “To enhance the overall quality of life of the Chickasaw people.”
A very simple, direct mission statement – and one we live by each day.
That tribal mission is what drives our commitment to Chickasaw citizens. Our effective, diverse and well-funded programs and services are dynamic, that is, we stand ready to modify and add to programs and services if it serves Chickasaws well.
You may be a college student taking advantage of tribal programs like scholarships, laptop computers, stipends, clothing grants and textbook grants. You may be the head of a Chickasaw family utilizing Chickasaw health care services like mail-in prescriptions, dental care, primary care, optometry and eyeglasses. You may be an elder making use of one of our tribal senior nutrition sites, lawn service and energy assistance programs. You may be a non-traditional student engaged in the tribe’s School to Work program so you can work, attend class and provide properly for your family.
Regardless of your personal “menu” of program and services selections you make from the hundreds available, each is focused on making your life better. The real key to an effective and strong functioning government is serving people well. Once governments forget that tenet, the decline has begun.
Wherever you live, whatever your job, age or situation, your Chickasaw Nation tribal government is completely dedicated to serving you well. All the scores of programs and services we have added over the years have been derived from your input. We are listening to you.
Thank you for your interest and your involvement with the Chickasaw Nation. Your contributions are vital to your effective government. Working together, we are building happy, healthy and successful Chickasaw families – every day!
