Chance Brown, a graduate of the Chickasaw Nation Chikasha Apichi Ikbi (Creating Chickasaw Leaders) program, recently received a Thank You note in the mail.
What makes this Thank You letter unique is its senders: the President of the United States and the First Lady.
President Barack and Michelle Obama sent Brown, a Dickson native, the expression of gratitude for a color pencil depiction he created.
Brown brought along the large portrait when be traveled by tribal bus to Washington D.C. with the youth leadership group last summer.
With the July trip looming, Chance was motivated to create the original work as a way to express his gratitude to the new president.
He worked on the 18x24 piece for about a month, had it matted and framed and wrapped in brown paper for the 20-hour bus ride to Washington, D.C.
"I did it as a way to show appreciation to Obama, said the 19-year-old.
I felt it was an opportunity that was not going to happen again."
The election of 2009 was Chance's first to exercise his right to vote and he supported then- Democrat candidate Obama.
Chickasaw Nation Youth Specialist Kevin Tiger worked as Chance's advisor in the program for the past year and used his Washington D.C. connections to ensure the art was delivered to the White House.
Tiger's cousin, Matthew Cravatt, a Chickasaw citizen from Davis, Okla., now works for the Department of Interior in Washington.
"I did everything in my power to make sure it got there," said Tiger.
One afternoon during the trip, Tiger carried the art work on the Metro Subway to downtown D.C., where he met Cravatt and delivered the art.
Cravatt took it to a meeting with Jodi Eillette, an Indian Affairs/ White House liaison and presented it to her.
Chance was thankful for the connection and for the trip.
He has received his "Presidential Thank You" in the mail late December.
"I was amazed."
"I thought it was going to be anything except a letter of acknowledgement. I couldn't help but get excited, and I am glad my dog didn't chew it up," he said with a chuckle.
"He was so anxious to hear something, and when he called me at work. I am so proud of him," said his mother, Peggy Brawley.
The text of the note reads: "We would like to extend our deepest thanks and appreciation for your generous gift. It is gratifying to know that we have your support. As we work to address the great challenges of our time, we hope you will continue to stay active and involved. Again, thank you for your kind gift."
The letter is signed by President Barack and Michelle Obama.
It is now matted and framed and hangs on the wall.
About the Art
Brown presented a color pencil abstract depiction of President Obama with his wife and kids, and features an American flag and a profile of Lincoln.
He works primarily in colored pencil, calling the media his "comfort zone."
Crayons are another of his preferred tools. The bright colors bode well with his favorite subject matter- Soul and Rhythm and Blues singers such as Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Earth, Wind and Fire, among others.
He recently attended a Patti Labelle concert at WinStar casino and was able to give her a pencil drawing.
"She kissed it and tried to hand it back to me, but I told her I wanted her to keep it."
He has won first place in an Ada Art Show, placed first for Dickson Schools in a school art show, third place at a student Art show hosted by Artists of the Arbuckles, and placed in the SESAM competition, hosted by the Chickasaw Nation in Tishomingo.
Chance is now a student at Ardmore Higher Education Center (AHEC) in Ardmore, Okla., studying studio art.
He hopes to be a full time artist one day.
About Chikasha Apihchi Ikbi
Chikasha Apihchi Ikbi Program (CAIP) targets young Chickasaw men and women who strive to become tomorrow's leaders and gives them the tools to succeed.
Through the 12-month series, students can explore career opportunities, leadership qualities and characteristics, Native American culture, ethics, and other topics.
"I was told when I first entered the group I was more reserved," said Chance. "The (tribal) youth council and the Chikasha Apihchi Ikbi Youth Program had a large influence on the person I am today."
