Iti Fabvssa is currently running a series on the 1938 reconstruction of the Choctaw Capitol Building and the yearly celebration connected to it called the “Annual Iksa Meeting.” This series examines the detailed and complex history of the Annual Iksa Meeting and its relation to today’s Labor Day Festival we will cover how the Capitol Building’s rededication was turned into the Annual Iksa Meeting as well as some of the exciting events for the 1939 and 1940 meetings newspapers published that some members of the Nation hoped to make the celebration an annual occasion These members of the Nation were part of the Choctaw Advisory Council which had determined that the event and the area surrounding the Capitol should be developed and utilized for economic growth opportunities several papers announced plans to further develop the grounds and a Museum Department of the Council House Plans included the creation of worker houses along with a farm and livestock occupancy to make the site self-sustaining There were also plans for a canning factory These plans were part of the economic development initiatives that the Choctaw Advisory Council prioritized to help with the growing poverty and inequity that was seen within the Choctaw Nation Tragedy would strike only four months after the rededication the Capitol Museum’s first curator and an important member of the Advisory Council plans to make the event annual had already been put into action The meeting became known as the “Annual Iksa Meeting” or “Choctaw Educational Iksa.” Variations of both names can be found in local papers The event was supported by the Choctaw Advisory Council and the newly formed “Iksa Organization,” a sub-committee dedicated to planning and organizing the annual meeting ‘iksa’ is the Choctaw word for clan which is also attributed to society or organization iksa has also been referred to as church communities Officers of the Iksa Organization in 1939 included James Culberson (chairman) All were former members of the pre-statehood Choctaw government The 1939 meeting was held on May 20th and also featured speeches on Choctaw history and plays performed by students from Goodland and Wheelock Academies Wright organized and introduced an Ishtaboli (stickball) exhibition played by fourteen players from Jones Academy to the annual meeting It was recognized as their second season of the game While the 1938 meeting alluded to Choctaw language singing the 1939 meeting specifically advertised it In his special address delivered under the brush arbor Chief Durant spoke on the efforts toward more work-relief projects The Ohoyo Humma Club of McAlester presented a “Pageant of Human Interests.” Thomas Hunter characterized the purpose of the annual meeting as “educational social and recreational.” He further said that: “We are trying to educate our young people on modern requirements Even health and domestic affairs are not to be overlooked We will attempt to teach them in detail what the government is doing for the young people such as the work of the CCC and NYA.” (The Civilian Conservation Corps and National Youth Association were both Great Depression initiatives that helped create millions of jobs and vocational opportunities for people across America.) Durant sent out a special invitation stating: “All Choctaw Indians especially invited to attend; and all others in sympathy with their efforts to advance themselves educationally of tolerance and brotherly love among them and thereby make them better citizens of this state and the nation The Oklahoma United States Senators and the Members of Congress and government officials in the Indian Service are invited and some of them will be on the program.” The third annual meeting held the same events and customs as the earlier celebrations and hosted the 1940 winner of the Mrs Woods was the first Choctaw to attain a degree in nursing (Johns Hopkins University) and the first Choctaw to enter the Mrs Oklahoma Pageant – which she won that same year Chief Gregory Pyle recognized her lifetime of work and awarded her special honors (Biskinik Woods was also instrumental in the 1970s restoration of the Capitol Building and the formation of the present version of the Capitol Museum she served as the Secretary of the Choctaw Historical Society and assisted with a large portion of the decision-making process for reviving the Capitol again This meeting coincided with a Choctaw Advisory Council special resolution requesting the sale of unused lands so money could be freed to further efforts for the Nation The 1940 meeting introduced the official advertisement of a program titled “Value of the Hospital to the Choctaws” which introduced health-service exhibitions being connected to the event Other events included a display of the Choctaw Tick Dance by Yvonne Lyons and a “memory hour,” a block of the programming dedicated to elders in attendance to share their stories in the Choctaw language The officers of the Iksa Organization that year were reported to be James Culberson (Chairman) we will conclude this series with Part III which will cover the 1941 and 1942 Annual Iksa Meetings and discuss the transition to today’s Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival Iti Fabvssa seeks to increase knowledge about the past strengthen the Choctaw people and develop a more informed and culturally grounded understanding of where the Choctaw people are headed in the future Additional reading resources are available on the Choctaw Nation Cultural Service website. Follow along with this Iti Fabvssa series in print and online If you have questions or would like more information on the sources, please contact Ryan Spring at [email protected] along with many others in the United States observed annually on the first Thursday of May drew a crowd of Choctaw Nation associates who gathered across the reservation to observe this day I had the opportunity to lead our gathering at the Choctaw Nation headquarters building along with our Choctaw faithful who prayed together and sang Choctaw hymns I am so pleased to see the outpouring of faith family and culture on this day – it is one of my favorite events each year For a brief look at the Choctaw National Day of Prayer Service The National Day of Prayer dates to the founding of the United States as the Continental Congress first officially observed the day in 1775 and it was formally established as a formal and federally recognized day by President Truman in 1952 “President Reagan amended the law in 1988 designating the first Thursday of May each year as the National Day of Prayer,” according to the National Day of Prayer Task Force The 2025 theme for the National Day of Prayer is hope – more specifically “Pour out to the God of hope and be filled,” which is a reference to a Bible verse found in Romans which reads in full: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit,” (Romans 15:13) As we celebrate this day and participate in the National Day of Prayer across the Choctaw Nation my hope is that this day and what it means and represents will bring everyone peace and comfort that comes with giving thanks to the Lord The Choctaw Nation has benefitted greatly by being a God-fearing nation and we give thanks on this day of prayer for the many gifts bestowed upon us It’s no accident that our vision of “Living out the Chahta Spirit of faith and for that I know that many of you join me in saying own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment Brunel University of London provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK View all partners Warning: this article contains minor spoilers for Sinners Sinners is a vampire film set in Jim Crow-era Mississippi a time of harsh segregation and racial injustice The vampire is Irishman Remmick (Jack O'Connell) who is drawn to the blues music played at the Juke Joint We first encounter Remmick as he is being chased by a band of indigenous Choctaw vampire hunters who corner him in the shack of a couple who happen to be part of the Ku Klux Klan The Choctaw’s claim that Remmick is not who he appears to be falls on deaf ears and the couple soon become Remmick’s first victims Remmick is soon drawn to the Juke Joint, where the music of blues guitarist Sammy “Preacher Boy” Moore (Miles Caton) is said to reach both ancestors and future generations. Keen to feast on the club’s patrons, Remmick tries to draw them outside by singing an Irish ballad from the mid-19th century, The Rocky Road to Dublin Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here The Rocky Road to Dublin tells the story of an Irish man leaving his hometown of Tuam to travel to Liverpool. Tuam was the location of a Catholic mother and baby home, where the bodies of over 700 babies were found in 2015 Remmick uses the song to invite the Black Juke Joint patrons to join him and the others he has turned into vampires offering them the chance to escape Jim Crow Mississippi If Remmick was truly offering freedom, however, he would have tried to tempt them with a song of liberation, such as Oro Se Do Bheatha ‘Bhaile, which was the rebel song sung by the republican army as they overthrew the oppression of the English during the Easter Rising in 1916 is a story of exchanging one form of suffering (life in Tuam during the height of English oppression) for another – life on the English mainland where the ballad tells of victimisation and violence The Choctaw’s hunting of Remmick is particularly interesting The real Choctaw sent money to the starving Irish during the English-induced famine of the 1840s when they were themselves experiencing genocide Given that the Choctaw are historical allies of the Irish by identifying that Remmick is not who he seems they highlight that he does not represent the Irish spirit of resistance he represents the spirit of oppression and his choice of music underscores this a decade after the liberation of Ireland and five years after the founding of the Tuam mother and baby home Perhaps Remmick needed new feeding grounds since Ireland was finally throwing off the oppression of the English Where better than the deep south of the Jim Crow era to find oppression and those desperate to escape it Remmick claims to be attracted to the music of the oppressed but when hoodoo healer Annie (Wunmi Mosaku) is killed by Stack before she can be turned into a vampire Remmick is angered by her death because although it appears it is the music he is drawn to in reality it is Annie’s strength he desires Annie, who is steeped in Black culture and can see the vampire’s real intentions, symbolises the way many Black women can resist a social system that is both capitalist and racist This system doesn’t allow them to ignore the dangers it brings It is the strength and energy of Africa embodied in Annie’s traditional beliefs that Remmick truly seeks to possess and he is distraught when she dies without being turned into a vampire Annie has resisted the colonisation of her spirituality by the Christian church Preacher Boy’s father encourages him to stop playing the blues because of its ability to call the devil Annie is able to recognise and resist the temptations of escape that Remmick offers Sinners is an interesting work by filmmaker Ryan Coogler that leaves a trail of crumbs for future instalments The Choctaw vampire hunters are only on screen for two minutes but they represent an interesting aside that needs to be explored in terms of the oppressed reaching out to each other against colonialism resists oppression by calling on the strength of ancestors It’s a powerful reminder that when we know where we come from it is hard to sell us a story of redemption that is ultimately another form of oppression OK (KOKH) — A former teacher at the Choctaw-Nicoma Park school district has been arrested after being accused of having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student Melton was charged with six counts of rape Most of the crimes Melton is accused of reportedly happened on the school's campus between August 2023 and May 2024 an investigator spoke to the victim who graduated in May 2024 The victim reported that she could not process what happened until now She told police she was in a relationship with Melton She was 16 years old when he became her teacher the girl said they had full intercourse on three occasions in Melton's office She reported that there were too many occasions to count of him where he fondled her or they performed oral sex on one another the former student said the sexual incidents happened every day for about a year on school property before school started Evidence from the victim's phone reportedly corroborated their relationship The affidavit also stated that the school district reprimanded Melton in January 2025 for inappropriate conduct with the student Melton was interviewed about the allegations by school leaders The affidavit said Melton confessed to having a relationship with his former student and that the relationship did not end until his wife found out about the affair Melton resigned from his position as a teacher The following is a statement the district sent to parents in early April: For more local news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter by clicking here. A former Choctaw High School choir teacher confessed to a sexual relationship with a student according to recently filed court documents Police said 29-year-old Samuel Melton was arrested on Monday at his home in Moore on more than dozen charges of sexual abuse Court documents showed Choctaw-Nicoma Park school district administration issued a letter of reprimand in January for inappropriate conduct between Samuel Melton and the student The criminal investigation started in early April when the victim came forward Melton remained silent as he was taken into custody as seen on body camera footage provided by the Choctaw-Nicoma Park school district police Melton was arrested the same day the Oklahoma County District Attorney filed 15 counts of rape Court documents revealed the victim reported the alleged sexual abuse to police on April 7th The victim said the sexual encounters happened in Melton's office before The affidavit stated the year-long relationship began in March 2023 of the victim's Junior year through May 2024 of her Senior year Police searched the victim's phone to confirm the relationship with Melton and the dates she reported School staff also told police they suspected questionable conduct between Melton and the student Melton resigned as a teacher on April 9th when he was confronted by school district administrators during a meeting Administrators said Melton provided a full confession to the sexual relationship and said it ended when his wife found out The district issued a statement the day Melton resigned informing parents of the investigation Melton is being held in the Oklahoma County Detention Center on a $1,000,000 bond The State Department of Education said it cannot comment on Melton's criminal investigation but confirmed there is an on-going investigation into his teaching certification Jennifer Pierce is an Emmy-award-winning reporter and is a member of the Indigenous Journalists Association and general news updates from News 9 delivered right to your inbox A former teacher with Choctaw-Nicoma Park School District has been arrested A search through Oklahoma County Detention Center records reveals that Samuel Melton was taken into custody on multiple sex crime complaints "Melton was an employee at CHS from August 2020 until April 9 the district said it is working with an investigation into Melton who is now a former employee of the district "An allegation of misconduct by a school employee was reported to our CNP Police Department and they are conducting a thorough investigation," the letter said "The school district is cooperating with law enforcement as the police lead the investigation." the CNP District will continue to cooperate with police and the OSDE during the investigation," the letter said we are unable to share additional information at this time." Christian Hans is a Digital Content Producer for News 9 He joined News 9 full-time in July of 2022 after graduating from the University of Oklahoma \"Melton was an employee at CHS from August 2020 until April 9 \"An allegation of misconduct by a school employee was reported to our CNP Police Department and they are conducting a thorough investigation,\" the letter said \"The school district is cooperating with law enforcement as the police lead the investigation.\" the CNP District will continue to cooperate with police and the OSDE during the investigation,\" the letter said we are unable to share additional information at this time.\" Learn to say these phrases: “Will you be camping?” and “Will you be staying the night?” DURANT, Okla. – The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (CNDWC) recently released the 2024-25 Big Game Harvest Report which details the health of game animal populations on the reservation and total animals harvested by Choctaw hunters for black bear The report utilizes information from harvest reports and CNDWC data collections and observations in the field CNDWC reports that Choctaw hunters harvested 2,519 whitetail deer (a 13% increase from 2023-24) during their respective seasons on the CNO reservation Other notable points from the report include: The 2024-2025 fall hunting season was the third year Choctaw Tribal Members were regulated by the Choctaw Tribal Code 110: Fish and Animals Code and the first year tribal members could hunt and fish in the Chickasaw and Seminole Nations under the 5 Tribes Wildlife Management Reciprocity Agreement Choctaw Tribal members hunting or fishing within the reservations must carry proof of tribal membership which serves as their hunting and fishing licenses CNDWC works closely with the state of Oklahoma to ensure hunting and fishing activities do not negatively impact animal populations on the reservation The Choctaw Nation is the third-largest Indian Nation in the United States with more than 225,000 tribal members and 12,000-plus associates This ancient people has an oral tradition dating back over 13,000 years its historic reservation boundaries are in the southeast corner of Oklahoma “Living out the Chahta Spirit of faith family and culture,” is evident as it continues to focus on providing opportunities for growth and prosperity Contact Kristina Humenesky for any media relations needs at [email protected] Choctaw Tribal Council Member for District 7 Joey Tom cuts the ribbon with OSU Medicine staff – The Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority (CNHSA) has announced a partnership with Oklahoma State University (OSU) Medicine to open the Antlers Community Health Clinic the clinic will have a small staff onsite with providers overseeing patients virtually utilizing the latest in innovative technology the Antlers Community Health Clinic officially opens on April 30 and is designed to meet the health care needs of residents requiring same-day care but don’t require the needs of an emergency room “We’re proud to bring this much-needed service to the Antlers area,” said Dr Chief Medical Officer of Choctaw Nation Health and to ease the burden on local emergency rooms.” “This facility represents more than a building,” said Dr It represents a health care gap we can address through advanced technology innovative tools and deeply rooted partnerships We’re expanding access to quality healthcare it doesn’t matter what zip code you live in.” The clinic will operate Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm offering walk-in services for conditions such as minor injuries Patients must be at least 2 years old to be seen Antlers Community Health Clinic accepts all major insurance plans. The clinic also integrates with Epic’s MyChart system making it easy for patients to manage appointments and communicate with the patient care team online Vu Ngo will be the overseeing physician for the clinic A board-certified physician in both Family Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment Ngo will be hands-on by mentoring the staff and collaborating on patient care Ngo is currently practicing at the Choctaw Nation Dermatology Clinic in Talihina Chief Gary Batton is introduced to one of the virtual providers Contact Kristina Humenesky for any media relations needs at [email protected] Learn to say these phrases: “Where did you camp last night?” and “I camped near the creek.” Choctaw Nation Council House located on the Tuskahoma Capitol Grounds DURANT, OKLA. – Choctaw Nation will hold a special election to fill the vacancy for the Tribal Council seat representing District 5 The winner of the election will serve the remaining two years of the term The timing of the election will align with the previously scheduled general election Ron Perry resigned the District 5 seat on April 1 The position will remain open until the election According to the amended Election Calendar 2025 prospective candidates may file in person from 8 a.m More information about tribal elections, including the full election calendar, can be found on the Tribal Elections webpage or by contacting the Election Board at [email protected] To register to vote or learn how to update your voter registration, visit the Voter Registration webpage Contact Kristina Humenesky for any media relations needs at [email protected] OKLA (KOKH) — The Choctaw Police Department is reminding residents not to attempt to drive through high water after responding to a flooded truck multiple streets in Choctaw are flooded due to recent severe weather Driving in high water is extremely dangerous especially when the roadway is not visible The driver of the truck was able to leave the scene safely and unharmed For more local news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter by clicking here. A ribbon cutting was held for the new Pediatric Urgent Recovery Center in partnership with Lighthouse Behavioral Wellness Center in Durant The health of Native Americans within the reservation boundaries has always been a top priority for the Choctaw Nation over 1 million encounters across all Choctaw Nation Health Services Authorities (CNHSA) services drove that point home Mental health is also a top priority for the Nation CNHSA’s behavioral health programs helped adults adolescents and children with several services One service brought back for this year was the media camp Teens gathered at the headquarters office in Durant and developed a short film about anti-bullying Another priority for the Nation is ensuring that access to healthcare is available in healthcare deserts or areas where people must travel long distances to get medical care This year CNHSA looked at areas across the reservation that could benefit the most from walk-in urgent care clinics These non-emergency health facilities are designed to provide easier access to qualified medical professionals in a timely manner The first of these clinics will be in Antlers helping to lessen the burden of receiving health care in these areas Because the health of everybody who lives in the reservation boundaries can affect the overall health of the Nation these clinics will be open to both tribal and non-tribal members The clinics will bill non-tribal members’ insurance in the same way that an urgent care clinic would To ensure adequate staffing at these rural clinics CNHSA has also begun partnering with the Oklahoma State University Physician Assistant Program to provide virtual care for patients at same-day clinics on the reservation This is far from a comprehensive list of what the Nation has done this year to improve the health of the Native Americans living within the reservation therapists and many others work hard to make the Choctaw Nation as healthy as possible We accept milestone birthday greetings for ages 1 Couples may send announcements of silver wedding anniversary at 25 years of marriage News from graduates of higher education only and sports submissions will be accepted as space allows We welcome all letters from Choctaw tribal members it isn’t possible to publish all letters our readers send Letters chosen for publication must be under 150 words Only the writer’s full name and city will be published All events sent to the Biskinik will run the month of the event or the month prior to the event if the event falls on the first of the month Obituary submissions are for Choctaw Nation tribal members only and are free of charge The Biskinik will only accept obituary notices from funeral homes Family members/individuals may submit funeral notices as long as the notice is from the funeral home or printed in their local newspaper through a funeral home service.Full-length handwritten notices will not be accepted The Biskinik strives to serve all Choctaws any handwritten notices received will be searched online for official funeral home notices efforts will be made to contact the family and make arrangements for an official notice The online issue of the Biskinik will contain links to the full obituaries Send official obituary notices to: Biskinik PO Box 1210 Durant OK 74702 Dentures and Hearing Aid Program (EDH) assists eligible Choctaw tribal members nationwide dentures and hearing aids can be financially straining for millions of people in the U.S there is a program aimed at easing that burden The Eyeglasses, Dentures and Hearing Aid Program (EDH) was established by the Choctaw Nation and was historically open only to tribal members who lived within the Choctaw Nation Reservation the program was expanded to tribal members living nationwide Kayla Williams, director of the Patient Relations program, said the program began being administered through the Tribe’s Health Services division in 2011 and became a component of its Patient Relations Program program participants needed to be 55 or older to receive eyeglasses tribal members of all ages are welcome to apply for services the EDH portion of the program assisted 15,681 tribal members a total of 15,546 tribal members were assisted and 17,016 tribal members were assisted in FY24 of which 14,184 members were assisted with glasses 9,071 members received glasses through the Choctaw Nation’s optometry clinics Choctaw Nation Health Care Authority (CNHSA) has optometry clinics in Durant eligible tribal members can receive one pair of prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses every two years Participants with diabetes may be eligible to receive eyeglasses once a year if their prescription changes and they are actively being treated for the disease (a note from the primary doctor must be on file) Choctaw Nation health clinics do not make dentures or partials so an outside provider can be used for those services Many tribal clinics throughout the country provide optometry and audiology services and participants outside the reservation area may use those facilities if desired The tribal member decides on the provider they choose If the provider is willing to provide a W-9 form and will invoice and accept payment from Choctaw Nation Payment for services is made directly to the provider and cannot be made to the tribal member The program leaves it up to the tribal member to determine whether the facility is willing to work with and accept payment from the Choctaw Nation The program does not make provider recommendations but will explain the amounts paid for each service and advise the member to shop for the best pricing If a balance is owed to the chosen provider after what Choctaw Nation pays the tribal member is responsible for payment The EDH/Patient Relations Program is staffed with caring individuals who strive to strengthen and enhance relationships among patients and Choctaw Nation Health Services staff Patient Relations may also be able to assist with limited financial assistance to eligible Choctaw tribal members when denied through contract health for medical/dental bills (extractions etc.) and durable medical equipment for eligible participants The program pays after insurance for those with coverage Patient Relations is the payer of last resort staff will verify tribal membership and determine eligibility in the Patient Relations database for the patient and verifying that it has been two years since the previous date of service When visiting a Choctaw Nation optometry or audiology clinic for eyeglasses and hearing aids the clinic will submit the EDH application on the tribal member’s behalf Since Choctaw Nation clinics do not make dentures or partials the tribal member must call us to complete the application process The Patient Relations Department has offices located in Durant please call one of the locations listed below: 1801 Chukka Hina Durant OK 74701 580-924-9704 1414 E. Wade Watts Blvd. McAlester OK 74501 918-426-4125 One Choctaw Way Talihina, OK 74571 918-567-7000 Choctaw Nation will allow Brave movie to film on the reservation clean slate that we can sketch our great plans for the Choctaw Nation and this year is no different as we have bold plans and new ideas to implement for our tribal members and associates throughout 2025 to everyone who participated in our surveys this year and who offers me their feedback when we meet face to face The feedback that we receive are a large part of why we create programs services and create new initiatives to the services we currently provide We have bold plans for housing within the reservation housing and employment are the main areas of concern for our tribal members and we are listening to those concerns for 2025 with: Hugo will also have a new government services building and Roots Café in 2025 to service the needs of tribal members in the Hugo area Two large projects that we are working on to bring in new streams of income to the tribe include a development on Lake Texoma we are partnering with and a new movie that will be filmed entirely on the Choctaw Nation reservation There is also a new slate of projects that have been approved for the new year and they include: The Preston Harbor Development is also coming along Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and Craig International announced the closing of 3,114 acres for the $6 billion Preston Harbor project which will include approximately 7,500 homes and a Margaritaville resort on Lake Texoma in Denison our partners and the Choctaw Nation believe this will have a big impact on Denison’s population and prove to be a big economic boost for both the Choctaw Nation and the entire region Groundbreaking on the Preston Harbor project is targeted for late 2025 Choctaw Nation is opening its doors to an independent film that will be filmed on the Choctaw Nation reservation “Brave” will be the first-ever film to be shot on Choctaw land and the tribe has been closely involved in developing and pre-production The dramedy feature will begin shooting in the summer of 2025 on the Choctaw Nation Reservation we are not resting on our 2024 successes and our plans are big and bold for 2025 We strive to keep the Choctaw Nation at the front in services and technology and these plans will help maintain that It is my hope that you will follow along with our progress and we will reconvene in December 2025 to let you know how we did pokoli tuklo akucha tahlapi isht vlhpisa ya Miko yvt tikbanlit pisa Afvmmi himona aiyuka kvt aholissochi kashofa pimissa na Chahta Okla ya pim isht vlhpisa il i hlaffa hinla pim okla micha ittiba toksvli ya isht vlhpisa aiyimita anonti amanukfila himona il im ishi anukfilli ya hvsh apehvchi tuk anonti si afamvt hvchim anumpa hvsh vmissa tuka hvchi yakoke li himak i toksvli ataha ya aiahni anonti isht ilaiyukpa himona il im ikbi Yakni ilatomba anukaka ya chukka im isht vlhpisa aiyimita il ishi anonti toksvli akosh isht ahalaia im i shahli Okla ibafoka yukpala chi ka Hugo yvt apehlicheka i toksvli aboha himona isha chi Aiahni hocheto tuklo il anumpuli kvt Lake Texoma achakvli moma i shahli micha holbvt toba ya Chahta Okla i yakni ilatomba aiikba chi Lake Texoma yvmmak o Preston Harbor aiahni pulla ka Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma micha Craig International vt yakni hokohli tukvt miha tuk Ilvppvt Denison im okla kanihmichi cha yakni fullota mominchit ilatomba i shahlicha chi ka Chahta Okla micha im ittvpela yvt yimmi Preston Harbor i yakni kvhla yvt tahlepa sipokni tuklo pokoli tuklo akucha tahlapi achiba mak achi Maya anonti ikbi tikba ya okla yvt ibafokka pokoli tuklo akucha ushta aiahli il o foha kiyo Il achunanchi na Chahta Okla yvt i toksvli micha ikhana ya tikba antta pokoli tuklo akucha tahlapi ya e kaniohmi tukvt ittvhobvt il ikhvna chi Yakoke anonti Chihowa hvt hvchi holitoblashke Kim Merryman cries during a 2023 interview with the Tulsa World in Talihina while talking about her daughter Statistics show that an Indigenous woman living on a reservation is more likely to die by homicide than by car crash Twenty-three-year-old Emily Morgan of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma joined the heartbreakingly long list of Native American women in the U.S both gunned down as they sat in Morgan’s car near McAlester Both young women were mothers; Elix was non-Native police were unable to positively identify a perpetrator or perpetrators and the investigation had slowed in recent years the case has recently taken center stage in police circles Not only has it attracted the attention of the recently created Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit but also a little known an 18th-century French criminal-turned-cop who was the confidante of writers Victor Hugo and Honore Balzac and an inspiration to poet Edgar Allan Poe has played a role in several high-profile cold cases including the case of Joseph Augustus Zarelli the “Boy in the Box” who remained unidentified for decades after his 1957 death Members of the society conducted training in 2023 with BIA police in Billings the society invited the BIA Missing and Murdered Unit to its monthly meeting in Philadelphia the society announced that members would assist in investigating the Morgan case from Oklahoma and had committed to working on one case involving Native American victims each year nonprofit Vidocq Society takes on nine cases per year “I’m so honored that the Vidocq Society took on our case,” Kim Merryman Merryman is a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma She has been discouraged that police have not yet arrested a suspect in the shooting and about the lack of public attention on the case She thinks racism and her daughter’s involvement with drugs played a role “From the very first phone call I made with Oklahoma police they started with victim-shaming comments,” Merryman said The public also seemed to blame Morgan for her own slaying saying she knew what she was doing when she got involved in an illegal lifestyle Morgan delivered drugs and money for a drug dealer and her mother believes that he arranged for Morgan to be killed Morgan was born and raised in the little town of Hugo but moved to Oklahoma City in 2016 to attend Rose State College who was from the city and was raising two children Morgan struggled with drugs for several years She was 18 when she met the unidentified drug dealer who got her involved with his business of running drugs between Oklahoma City and small towns like McAlester she was involved in criminal activity — but not at a level to get her killed,” Merryman said Several years older than Morgan and married with children of his own But he also demanded sex from the young woman “It was simple for him to take advantage of a young woman with a toddler to care for and whose baby-daddy was in prison.” Police have not publicly identified the gang-affiliated dealer A lot has changed for Native American victims of violence since 2016 in Oklahoma and in the rest of the country The Choctaw Nation had virtually no resources to offer in support at the time of Morgan’s death “But now things have changed immensely; the tribe created MMIW Chahta a (missing and murdered Indigenous women) support group,” she said Chahta is the term used by the Choctaw for themselves in their language “I thank God for my tribal membership and my MMIW groups; they’ve pulled me through this whole thing,” Merryman said She is now on the board of the nonprofit group Northeastern Oklahoma Indigenous Safety & Education my daughter and I didn’t know that murder was the third leading cause of death for Native American women None of us knew that back in 2016,” she said rape and violent crime are all higher for Native Americans than the national average Oklahoma ranks among the top 10 states with the highest rates of missing and murdered Native American women Merryman and her colleagues among MMIW advocates organized a social media blitz to draw new attention to the case “We put out the BIA’s Missing and Murdered Unit’s number asking people to text and urge them to take on Emily’s case,” she said a special agent for the BIA’s Missing and Murdered Unit Marcellino said the agency was taking on Morgan’s case and that he would be in charge of the investigation The BIA’s Missing and Murdered Unit was created in 2021 as part of directives under the Not Invisible Act of 2020 designed to address the crisis of violence against Native American and Alaska Native people the unit collaborates with other agencies to solve violent crimes committed against Native people works with the FBI to coordinate a centralized intake process for missing and murdered case referrals and focuses on solving cold cases as part of its Operation Spirit Return The unit also conducts and coordinates training among tribal and mainstream police organizations The Vidocq Society is an elite group of criminal investigators who volunteer their time to help solve cold cases It was a training course that brought the Missing and Murdered Unit together with the Vidocq Society executive director of the Coalition of Large Tribes helped organize a Vidocq training in Billings for tribal law enforcement and leaders from South Dakota One of the hopes was to help open up dialogue regarding MMIW cases among the various departments He said Vidocq members were affected by hearing about the lack of funding and resources under which tribal police operate A 2021 BIA report shows that although the need was around $1.7 billion The society committed to taking on one Native case annually as well as offering more training in Indian Country Marcellino and two of his colleagues presented the case of Emily Morgan to the Vidocq Society which conducts most of its work virtually among its 82 members and another 100 or so special members The society is a closed organization that doesn’t take membership requests; members must be invited Special membership is by referral to the Board of Directors by a full member The society works only with law enforcement organizations and only at their invitation Investigative work conducted by members is entirely voluntary; no payment is taken Society members offer insight and opinions on cases brought to them preferring to leave that to the local law enforcement “Law enforcement is always leading their own case but we bring fresh eyes,” said Vidocq board member Joseph Pitri a state trooper from New Jersey in charge of missing persons for the state “We anticipate additional opportunities to work with the BIA who works out of the BIA’s Oklahoma City office urged people to reach out to the Missing and Murdered Unit via the website or call the tip line with information about missing or murdered cases The unit also offers a victim services program to Emily Morgan and other victims,” he said Reflecting on Morgan’s being the first Native American case presented to the Vidocq Society Merryman noted that her daughter yearned for recognition “She always wanted to be famous,” she said “Morgan’s story is changing things for other women Leaders of Oklahoma's largest tribal nation gathered Friday to acknowledge the month of May as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Month in the Cherokee Nation The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation lists 88 missing Native adults and children although it is believed far more cases go unreported is the first OSBI agent fully dedicated to MMIP work having been assigned exclusively to MMIP issues across the state "I’m committed to seeking justice for the victims and families who have suffered far too long without answers," he said Friday "These cases are complex and challenging; the obstacles are many but that cannot be an excuse for inaction." Seraphine Warren is walking from Sweetwater Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account Night Court provides additional opportunities for tribal members to attend court to pay fines and clear outstanding traffic misdemeanor and non-violent felony warrants outside of the standard 8 a.m Night Court will be held on the following dates at the Choctaw Judicial Center at 2250 Chukka Hina Drive OK and the Courthouse will stay open until 7:30 p.m The schedule will be updated as additional dates for Night Court are added You can access the Choctaw Nation Judicial Branch’s ReSearch system to see if you have any outstanding warrants or owe any costs and fees This website provides users with instant access to copies of case filings If you have questions about clearing your warrants or to see if you are eligible to attend, please contact the Choctaw Nation Public Defenders Office at 580-634-0678. To inquire about costs and fees you may owe, contact the Court Clerk’s Office at 580-920-7027 The Choctaw Nation has released its 2024 annual report that shows what was accomplished for tribal members The report shows the health of the nation and how the nation has thrived who represented District 5 of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) on the Tribal Council resigned his office April 1 was serving as secretary of the Tribal Council Because there was more than one year remaining in Perry’s term the CNO Constitution calls for a special election to be held to fill his seat Timing of the special election has not yet been determined Contact Kristina Humenesky for any media relations needs at [email protected] – The Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority (CNHSA) has announced the transition to the Epic electronic health records system and a new patient portal – the MyChart app offers a range of features which empowers patients to take an active role in their healthcare journey CNHSA patients will be able to view test results and communicate directly with their care team – from wherever is convenient for the patient “We are thrilled to offer MyChart to our patients,” said Gary Batton “This digital health tool is a game-changer making healthcare more accessible and efficient particularly for those in rural and remote areas we are empowering our people to take control of their health and improve their overall healthcare experience.” The transition to MyChart is part of a broader effort by the Choctaw Nation to modernize healthcare services and provide the best possible care and experience for its patients “It reflects the Nation’s commitment to leveraging innovative solutions to enhance the health and well-being of its community,” said Chief Batton Patients can easily sign up for MyChart during their next visit to a Choctaw Nation Clinic or by calling the MyChart Helpline at 918-567-7034 Contact Kristina Humenesky for any media relations needs at [email protected]. but there is one short scene in the middle of the movie that has us intrigued He has clearly been through something because his face is disfigured and his skin is smoking more than pot of boiling water Something or someone has him shook...so much that he took off while the sun was up to get away from it I’d take an Instagram reel...about what led to Remmick crossing paths with the Choctaw I want to know how they discovered what he was what they did to him that shook him to his core Because that man was out on those dirt roads running The Choctaw hunters knew not to invite a vampire into your home they did not waste any time...they left immediately and it is his talent that attracted the vampires to The Juke the implication is that something drew Remmick to the Choctaws…and they made him pay for knocking on the door Black folks on social media saw what I saw and they want to know more about what led to that scene in the film – The Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police has named Michael D Woodruff has over 30 years of law enforcement experience including 25 years with the Durant Police Department most recently as the deputy chief of police He also has served with the Johnston County Sheriff’s Department and the Madill Police Department Woodruff holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and is a two-time Durant Kiwanis Lawmen of the Year recipient He came to Choctaw Lighthorse from the Oklahoma’s Regional Organized Crime Information Center where he served as law enforcement coordinator He also graduated from the FBI National Academy “I’m very humbled and honored to be selected as chief of police for the Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department,” said Woodruff “The Choctaw Nation is committed to protecting our members and our neighbors in southeast Oklahoma We look forward to strengthening our relationships with the more than 75 local state and federal agencies we share cross-deputization agreements with Cooperation is the key to enhancing public safety” “The Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police is fortunate to have such an experienced law enforcement professional come to lead our department,” said Michael Hall he will direct and coordinate our daily operations across the 13 counties of the Choctaw reservation.” is also an associate at the Choctaw Nation and their two children are Choctaw tribal members Their son Jake is a sergeant with the Texas Highway Patrol Contact Kristina Humenesky for any media relations needs at [email protected] DURANT, Okla. – On July 12, the Choctaw Nation signed the Five Tribe Wildlife Management Reciprocity Agreement Choctaw tribal members may now hunt and fish on the Cherokee and Chickasaw reservations using their tribal membership card as their hunting and fishing license Tribal members/citizens must follow the wildlife regulations (e.g. etc.) of the tribe whose reservation they are hunting All Oklahoma residents with valid state-issued hunting and fishing are eligible to hunt and fish within these tribal treaty territories in accordance with applicable laws Below are some recently/commonly asked questions. You can find additional frequently asked questions, CNO’s Hunting and Fishing Regulations, Hunter Education Course, and contact information for the Wildlife Conservation team at the Wildlife Conservation webpage Choctaw tribal members can hunt and fish within the Choctaw and Cherokee Nations with proof of tribal membership Tribal members must have landowner permission to hunt private land and tribal members are responsible for any entry permits or fees required on public lands Outside of the reservations of the parties to this agreement citizens and members comply with the rules of the controlling jurisdiction — such as another tribe You will need proof of Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma tribal membership An additional form of ID might be requested to confirm identity Hunter Safety course completion is also required by the Choctaw Nation Fish Game and Animals Code and the State of Oklahoma If you receive a ticket from an Oklahoma game warden for not having a state issued hunting/fishing license while hunting within the Choctaw Nation boundaries, contact the Choctaw Nation Legal Department via the Member Legal Assistance webpage state game wardens are cross-deputized and can enforce tribal wildlife laws within each reservation If an individual game warden is not cross-deputized a tribal officer will be called to enforce the tribal laws one aggregate and daily limit applies per person to harvests across all reservations per season and the entire State of Oklahoma Tribal members/citizens must follow the licensure requirements of their tribe but must follow the wildlife regulations (e.g. all species with a check-in requirement must be checked-in and the check-in must be to the citizen’s tribe regardless of the reservation where the animal was taken Just use the respective licensure from your tribe as your license and tags Contact Kristina Humenesky for any media relations needs at [email protected] A former Tulsa fire captain with a criminal past is back in legal trouble after federal investigators say he attempted to rob a bank in Choctaw last month who previously served as a fire captain in Tulsa and instructed a bank clerk to empty the vault Investigators say a security officer pulled a gun Brown was released from prison just last October after serving time for two previous bank robbery convictions Related: Former Tulsa Fire Captain Sentenced For 2 Bank Robberies Graham joined the News 9 team in February of 2025 He is dedicated to sharing the diverse stories that have shaped his country and his community Related: Former Tulsa Fire Captain Sentenced For 2 Bank Robberies President Gerald Ford signed the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 (ISDEAA) The law gave tribal governments the right to administer and oversee the implementation of their federal programs encouraging self-determination and self-governance marks the 50th anniversary of this historic act “ISDEAA is one of the most critical pieces of legislation ever enacted, because it confirms the federal government’s realization that Tribes have the right to govern ourselves, and it expanded our ability to govern ourselves,” said Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton. “Because of this legislation, the Choctaw Nation developed its constitution which was ratified in 1983 and still governs our Tribe today.” Tribes initially hesitated to take advantage of the opportunities the ISDEAA provided In Choctaw Nation: A Story of American Indian Resurgence Valerie Lambert notes that it wasn’t until eight years after the ISDEAAs signing that Choctaw Nation used the funding to start programs including food distribution ISDEAA also enabled the Choctaw Nation to become the first tribe to contract complete hospital administration with the Talihina Hospital To acknowledge the instrumental impact the law had on self-governance, the Choctaw Nation Tribal Council passed a resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of the ISDEAA “The ISDEAA has been instrumental for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma to become the great Nation that it is today,” Batton said Contact Kristina Humenesky for any media relations needs at [email protected] The Choctaw Nation Public Health Department is proud to offer at-home screening services for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and Hepatitis C to Choctaw Nation Tribal Members and members of other federally recognized tribes residing within the Choctaw Nation Reservation Our at-home testing panels include screenings for: Order Kit you will be notified by a licensed healthcare provider and the Choctaw Nation Public Health Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) For those eligible for CNHSA healthcare services treatment can be arranged by scheduling an appointment at the nearest CNHSA healthcare facility If you’re unsure which test kit to order or need assistance with completing the test Choctaw Nation Disease Intervention Specialist: If you are not a tribal member or do not reside within the Choctaw Nation Reservation, please visit our Native Test page for instructions on how to get an at-home self-test kit or for a list of County Health Departments A Choctaw-Nicoma Park teacher under investigation for alleged misconduct is no longer with the district The Choctaw-Nicoma Park School District says it sent a letter to parents regarding the status of the teacher involved "The employee involved was immediately placed on administrative leave and is no longer employed by the district," the district said Superintendent David Reid said the district is unable to share additional information regarding the investigation at this time." The district says it is cooperating with police \"The employee involved was immediately placed on administrative leave and is no longer employed by the district,\" the district said Superintendent David Reid said the district is unable to share additional information regarding the investigation at this time.\" The Choctaw Nation will focus on several items that will be coming up in the new legislative session that we deem as priorities because of the value they bring to our tribal members and nation It is important that we tackle these issues head on so that our tribe will be heard and we have a say in our future and how the state will govern going forward Our focus will be on the new Farm Bill and expanding the Tribal Self-Government and self-determination authorities we want to give ourselves full control of the programs instead of having the U.S government dictate the rules and terms to us The Farm Bill is the single largest financial commitment that the U.S rural broadband internet deployment and a range of other programs and initiatives multi-year law that allows policymakers to set priorities for the food and agriculture sector for a period The nation will also turn its attention to the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA)  NAHASDA is the primary federal statute governing the development and maintenance of housing in Tribal communities NAHASDA has not been reauthorized in a decade and funding has decreased by 29% when accounting for inflation remaining at less than 2% of the overall HUD budget NLIHC continues to urge Congress to reauthorize NAHASDA and fully fund Tribal housing programs to address the dire affordable housing needs of Native communities HUD estimates that 42,000–85,000 people in Native communities stay with friends or relatives because they have no place of their own Failure to reauthorize NAHASDA and stagnant appropriations further exacerbate the large inequities between Native and non-Native communities and prevent Native housing programs from meeting the urgent housing needs of our people The tribe is in support of reauthorizing the Special Diabetes Program for Native Americans In response to the diabetes epidemic among American Indians and Alaska Natives Congress established the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) grant programs in 1997 coordinated by IHS Division of Diabetes with guidance from the Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee provides funds for diabetes treatment and prevention to IHS and Urban Indian health programs across the United States Finally, we support getting Health Service Contract Support Costs approved as mandatory rather than discretionary payments Congress passed reauthorization and increased the funding to $160 million Additional funding for the vital program would help as Native adults are two times more likely to have diagnosed diabetes (compared with non-Hispanic whites) We will continue to work with key Congressional members and their staff to ensure that our voice is heard on a national level so that we can build a brighter future for all tribal members We will regularly engage with Congressional members and staff in the Oklahoma delegation and on key committees to help shape legislative priorities and the FY 2025 and FY 2026 federal budgets and engaging in these issues will ensure a brighter future for all tribal members Anumpa vlhpisa ikbi anumpulit asha himona ya nana kanohmi kvt haiaka chi ka Chahta Okla yvt iklvnnvchit pisa chi Pim okla anonti im ibafoka ya ivlli im isht vla hatuko ahalaia tikba ka Chahta yvt anukfilli Kaniohmi ilvppa apissanlit il atikkonofa kvt nana fehna Pim okla hakla chi anonti pi himak pilla ya il amiha chi Farm Bill himona ya iklvnnvchit e pisa cha Tribal Self-Government auatachi il aienincha chi United States im apehlicheka yvt anumpa vlhpisa micha apehlichi pi miha chi ka pi bvnnah kiyo Farm Bill vt onnuchi ilatomba chito moma i shahli yo United States im apehlicheka yvt illimpa wayvchi im ikbi Farm Bill vt holisso achvffa hosh anumpa vlhpisa ikbi imissa na ilhpvk micha osapa pilesa tushafa ya ahalaia tikba im apesa Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act a okla yvt imanukfila onucha chi anonti aiimvlhtaha ya anumpa vlhpisa okla ahalaia yvt pehlichi NAHASDA yvt nana yohmahe vlhpesa ishi kia anonti ik atohnucho na afvmmi pokkoli ona im aiahni yvt atuklant aiiskiachi abvnna na isht chompa yvt tahlepa sipokni tushafa kvt pokoli tuklo akucha chakkali ik alauwo Housing and Urban Development im apesa holisso ya tahlepa achvffa tushafa kvt tuklo ikono aiasha Aboha Hanta Okla yvt Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act a anonti atohnucha chi ka National Low Income Housing Coalition vt i mihiha Aivtta okla anuka ya okla tahlepa sipokni pokoli ushta akucha tuklo hiket tahlepa sipokni pokoli untuchina akucha tahlapi kvt aiasha immi ik im iksho ka Housing and Urban Development vt hotina Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act a anonti ik atohnucho yvt Aivtta micha Aivtta kiyo okla ittitakla ya vlhpiesa kiyo chinto ka i shahlichit aiyabechi Pim okla im aboha abvnna afama chi ka Aivtta aboha aiahni im oktvbli Special Diabetes Program for Native Americans anonti atohnuchi ya okla yvt apelvchi Aboha Hanta Okla yvt American Indians micha Alaska Natives takla hvpih champuli isht abeka ataklvmohli ikhana cha afvmmi tahlepa sipokni achvffa Special Diabetes Program for Indians hvlbina aiahni hilechi tuk Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee yvt tikba heka ho Indian Health Services Division of Diabetes vt hvlbina aiahni ya achukmvt apesa tuk Tvli holisso tahlepa sipokni tahlepa sipokni tahlepa achvffa pokoli tahlapi afvmmika aiahni ilvppvt hvpih champuli yvmohmi anonti oktvbli ya isht chompa atahli Health Service Contract Support Costs vt chilofa aivlhtokowa ahnichi keyukmvt ilapahni achi ka il apelvchi Aivtta asvno yvt hvpih champuli isht abeka atokowa ishi kvt atuklahvt i shahla hinla hatuk o aiahni aiokchaya ya isht chompa vlhchakaya yvt apelvcha chi Aboha Hanta Okla ibafoka micha i toksvli ya il ibatoksvhanla chi Okla ahalaia ittilaui ya pim anumpa aiokpvchi ahlichi na okla ibafoka moma ka himak pilla shohmalali i shahli il im ikba hinla Aboha Hanta Okla ibafoka micha i toksvli Oklahoma hattak vlhtuka ya apissanlit il atohna chi Hattak vlhtuka yvt ahalaia tikba anumpa vlhpisa ikbi anonti FY 2025 micha FY 2026 okla ahalaia apesa holisso ya apelvchit ikbi Kaniohmi ilvppa atohno yvt pim okla ibafoka moma ka himak pilla shohmalali i shahli im ahlichi Choctaw tribal members Cayden Keith Cooke Kirkpatrick and Jake Martin DURANT, Okla. – Choctaw tribal members Cayden Keith Cooke Kirkpatrick and Jake Martin recently started classes at University College Cork in Ireland. They are this year’s recipients of the prestigious Choctaw-Ireland Scholarships from the Chahta Foundation Both are working on master’s-level degrees in their respective fields The Choctaw-Ireland Scholarships program was initiated in 2017 by the government of Ireland in recognition of Choctaw communities helping Irish people during the Great Famine sometimes called the Potato Famine of the mid-19th century Ireland’s gift of scholarships includes tuition and expenses for a full year of study for two Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma students each year graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor’s degree with comprehensive honors in history He also earned a certificate in American Indian and Indigenous studies He served as president of the school’s American Indian Science and Engineering Society chapter Kirkpatrick also received support from the Choctaw Nation Higher Education Program Kirkpatrick previously studied abroad for a semester at Sciences Po Aix in Aix-en-Provence In Cork he is pursuing a master’s degree in philosophy “I am extremely grateful to the Chahta Foundation and the Irish government for sponsoring this program and selecting me to participate in it,” Kirkpatrick said “This is a wonderful way to strengthen the historical and enduring connection between our communities and I am excited to play a role in this relationship.” Kirkpatrick plans to attend law school and focus on federal Indian law then work in support of indigenous communities attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University he graduated with distinction from the SOSU Honors Program and was an Honors Program Council member for multiple years and became a member of Phi Alpha Theta He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history “I am eternally grateful for the generosity of the Choctaw Nation and Chahta Foundation,” Martin said “I think this is an amazing opportunity to further my education and be a spokesman and educator on behalf of the Choctaw Nation.” Martin is looking forward to pursuing a master’s degree in museum studies Martin plans to seek a position as a curator or administrator at a “great museum or heritage center Contact Kristina Humenesky for any media relations needs at [email protected] Chief Gary Batton gives virtual State of the Nation address programs and services highlights and Chahta success stories Chief Gary Batton’s 2024 State of the Nation speech went live online Monday Chief Batton has opted for a recorded address that can be broadcast easily over Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) communication channels to reach more tribal members and others who are interested in the Tribe’s progress as well as some political and economic challenges the Tribe has faced Tribal Council and associates for their tireless work over the past year Chief Batton reported that the Tribe’s goal of building 600 new homes by the end of FY2025 is going well over half of those housing units will be complete the Choctaw Nation will have built over 1,300 homes across the reservation The Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority (CNHSA) is one of the largest most comprehensive programs the Tribe offers CNHSA facilities had over 850,000 health encounters over 520 cataract treatments and over 8,500 dental cleanings The hospital at Talihina also welcomed 347 newborns Chief Batton encouraged everyone to keep up with their preventative health checks “I am a huge advocate for prevention and wellness care like mammograms and colonoscopies which you can have done at Choctaw Nation health facilities  These procedures save so many lives.” One of the Choctaw Nation’s current strategic goals is to become the Employer of Choice. Several measures designed to bring in new employees and encourage current employees to stay and grow their careers at the Nation have had an impact on this goal The total number of CNO associates topped 13,000 in 2024 and over 230 new positions were created between October 1 and June 30 The Choctaw Nation was also named one of Forbes Magazine’s Best Large Employers taking top spot in the Government Service Industry and Oklahoma-based Companies and Tribal Nations categories Chief Batton opened a discussion on business and revenue by stating that the Tribe has almost 230,000 tribal members now. The Nation’s businesses fund programs and services that help tribal members with housing but economic factors like inflation and the higher cost of goods have been a challenge “While the casinos continue to be an excellent source of revenue the Tribe is not immune to inflation and the higher costs of goods affecting the global community.” the Tribe has focused more on efficiency and effectiveness as well as streamlining processes and cutting costs to ensure critical operations continue to function Tribal leadership has also looked for ways to grow and diversify revenue streams, like partnering with Three Rivers Meat Company in Octavia, Oklahoma, and opening the Choctaw Landing resort property in Hochatown Despite these issues, however, the Choctaw Nation reported a $3.2 billion economic impact on the state of Oklahoma, based on the most recent Economic Impact Report (2021) On the education front, Chief Batton shared that over 13,000 students received scholarships through Higher Education, the Chahta Foundation and Career Development The total amount awarded was over $17 million This year also saw the largest graduating class from the Adult Education Program including several family members who completed the program together In addition to helping students meet their educational goals, the Tribe has ramped up efforts to revitalize the Choctaw language and encourage more people to learn to speak Chahta. At the time of the speech on September 2, the Apprenticeship Program was set to graduate 15 new speakers. The Chahta Anumpa Aiikhvna (Choctaw School of Language) also served an average of 3,000 language learners “Preserving and protecting the Choctaw language is an issue that is close to my heart Not only is it important from a historical and cultural perspective but speaking our language is an act of sovereignty our ancestors were discouraged or downright forbidden to speak Choctaw by authorities who did not recognize our inherent sovereignty ‘I am a member of a sovereign nation and I will honor my ancestors by speaking our language,'” said Chief Batton Chief Batton concluded his annual address by reminding the audience that progress is an ongoing journey and that it is everyone’s shared responsibility to continue walking the path Choctaw ancestors began over a century ago toward a brighter future Picture left to right: Lighthorse Chief of Police Michael Woodruff Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) law enforcement officers were honored for years of service and actions above and beyond the call of duty in 2024 CNO Chief of Lighthorse Police Michael Woodruff said it is important not only to recognize these officers but also to have their families present and honored as well Patrolmen Jennings and Devora also received commendation medals for Performance and Professionalism Photo by Picture left to right: Lighthorse Chief of Police Michael Woodruff and Patrolman Christian L Photo by Picture left to right: Captain Brant Henry Lighthorse Chief of Police Michael Woodruff By Christian Toews and Kendra Germany-Wall 2024 was another successful year for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma from business and economic successes to tribal member triumphs and another successful Labor Day Festival we will show you some of the highlights from last year We at the Biskinik want to wish all of our readers a happy New Year and we look forward to bringing you more good news in 2025 The Choctaw Nation is committed to serving tribal members through programs and services and these services and programs have continued to help many tribal members meet their basic needs One service that has assisted people in 2024 is the burial assistance program Paying for a funeral can be difficult for many families The Choctaw Nation has been able to step in and help Families can receive as much as $2,500 through this program toward the funeral costs This program has helped many tribal members during an already difficult time Another program that has helped tribal members during times of need this year is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) This program is designed to assist with paying heating and cooling bills for Native American households within the Choctaw Nation Reservation This is especially vital during times of extreme heat and cold experienced in recent years Some tribal members might not be aware of the services and programs offered by the Choctaw Nation. This year’s outreach opportunities helped inform and direct people to the help they need. Events like Outreach at the Beach in the summer offer opportunities to connect with the people behind the programs and services and employees are on-site to answer questions and give information These outreach events are a vital part of getting relevant information to harder-to-reach areas of the Choctaw Nation Reservation Business and economic development are essential to the Choctaw Nation’s goal of coordinating and empowering local communities and tribal members to grow a vibrant the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma saw many wins in its business endeavors Below are some of the highlights from the year In February, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) was recognized on Choctaw Nation Among Top 50 on Forbes List of America’s Best Large Employers for 2024Forbes’ List of America’s Best Large Employers for 2024 CNO was ranked 32nd among 600 organizations jumping 90 spots from 2023’s ranking This made them the highest-ranked in three categories: Government Service industry Three Rivers Meat Company in partnership with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting event in Octavia/Smithville on April 12 In May, the National Safety Council recognized the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma with the prestigious Occupational Excellence Achievement Award for 2024 The Choctaw Nation (CNO) is the first tribe to receive the award recognizing organizations with injury and illness records better than or equal to 50 percent of the Bureau of Labor Statistics for their NAICS code – and have no fatalities during the previous calendar year Choctaw Landing the Choctaw Nation’s newest 100-room luxury resort and casino in Hochatown The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma recognized 12 small businesses at its annual Chahtapreneur Award Ceremony inside Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant on June 25 Kyle Fincher of Southeastern Recycling was named Chahtapreneur of the Year the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) was recognized on Forbes’ List of the Best Employers by State for 2024 CNO was ranked second out of 35 organizations in Oklahoma the Choctaw Nation released the findings of its latest economic impact study which seeks to determine how the Tribe benefits the State of Oklahoma in areas such as employment an economist for the Center for Native American Studies at Oklahoma City University indicated a remarkable $3.2 billion economic impact from the Tribe (2021) up from an already impressive $2.5 billion in the previous report (2019) The Choctaw Development Fund supports economic viability and sustainability by partnering with Choctaw small business owners and municipalities to create long-term growth and jobs within the  Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma This year, one of the resources offered through SBD is the new Chahtapreneur Business Center in Durant the center provides a co-working space for Choctaw tribal members enrolled in SBD programs Around 50 tribal member-owned small businesses received a $5,000 forgivable loan through the Community Development Fund Tribal leaders pose with the winners of the 2024 Outstanding Elders Pictured left to right: Assistant Chief Jack Austin – The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma hosted the 2024 Outstanding Elder banquet to honor the elders from each district who stood out as exceptional examples of the Chahta spirit going above and beyond for their communities “Every year, it is an honor to recognize these wonderful tribal members,” said Chief Gary Batton “Our Elders are a shining light to our communities and an example for the generations that come after Yakoke to each of you for giving your time and energy to help your peers.” he can always be found at the Community Center helping serve meals or taking food to homebound elders (He’s) Never wanting credit or recognition and Jerry takes pride in helping make the Smithville Choctaw Community Center the best it can be in its service to others.” Bohanan volunteers for fundraisers and cutting down trees “proudly representing the Choctaw people.” Self is the female Outstanding Elder and lives in Hugo she began volunteering at the Choctaw Community Center after retiring from her 28 years of service at the Choctaw County Health Department “Gina’s presence is a constant at community events where she is always ready to lend a hand whenever needed She is well-known for organizing successful social events and assisting with Indian taco sales Gina’s pride in the Choctaw heritage is evident in everything she does and she embodies the principles of servant leadership consistently putting the needs of others before her own.” Self attributes her dedication to serving her community to her deep-rooted values and strives to make a positive impact leaving a lasting legacy of kindness and service The Outstanding Elders Banquet has been held since 1999 Each of the twelve districts nominate a male and a female each year who are invited to attend the banquet to celebrate the group’s service to their communities Contact Kristina Humenesky for any media relations needs at [email protected] Learn to say these phrases: “Her camphouse is small.” and “He’s camping alone at his camphouse.” The Choctaw Nation held its annual powwow from November 1-3 Thousands of people came together as a community to celebrate Choctaw culture From the powerful drumbeats and breathtaking dances to the delicious traditional foods and vendors it was a weekend filled with pride and connection The promise of Easter is as uplifting today as it was when it was written in the Holy Bible The promise of our sins being washed away with the crucifixion of Jesus and our Lord rising from the tomb to deliver us from the evils of sin is a reminder of God’s love for His people The Choctaw Nation will celebrate the Lord’s triumph over death with an Easter celebration at 10:30 a.m The Choctaw Nation’s tribal offices will be closed on Friday we will gather at the Choctaw Capitol to spread the good news of Easter enjoy the day with our families and enjoy our tribe’s culture This is an event I personally look forward to each year as it gives me a chance to fellowship with our tribal members enjoy an Easter egg hunt and fill up with a good meal surrounded by friends and family In addition to wonderful fellowship with tribal members and their families We have a full morning of activities planned for this big event including: We must remember the reason for this Easter celebration is to give thanks to the Lord for a promise fulfilled that saved us all from sin I take strong comfort in the knowledge that God so loved the world that he gave his only son to be sacrificed so our sins would be washed away That love sustains me when I need some guidance in life My hope is that everyone who reads this takes comfort in the fact that you are beloved of the Lord and that your life is a blessing that the Lord has bestowed upon you – so make the most of it The promise of Easter and the good news of Jesus rising from the tomb should be celebrated Whether you fellowship with your tribe on April 12 in Tuskahoma or not I hope that you celebrate this Easter with your family and friends and have a wonderful day of faith I am going to end this with the story of Jesus rising from his tomb and fulfilling the promise of Easter: the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb They found the stone rolled away from the tomb they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground “Why do you look for the living among the dead while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” Then they remembered his words Chisvs Klaist vt illit falamvt tani tok i miha yvt vba takalichi kvt Holisso Holittopa a holisso tok ma chohmi Chisvs im iti taiyukhvna ahonvhla yvt pim aiashvchika pi kashofa chi ka miha pima tok Chihowa hvt im okla i hullo ka pi Chitokaka illi tok osh falamvt tani yvt hvpi ikhanachi Chitokaka yvt illi imaiya tok a Chahta Okla yvt holitoblicha chi Tek I Hvshi nittak awah tuklo ya tabokoli ikono hvshi kanvlli pokkoli iklvnna ya Tuskahoma Capitol Grounds aholitoblit isht anumpula chi Tek I Hvshi nittak awah untuchina ya Chahta Okla im okla atoksvli yvt vlhkama chi Tek I Hvshi nittak awah tuklo ya Chahta I Chukka Hanta il aiittvhoba chi Pi chukka achvffa anonti pim aivlhpesa aiena ka nittak ma e pisa chi Afvmmi aiyuka yvmohmi ilvppa svlap fena hosh hoyo li Pim okla ibafoka vhleha ya ittibafoka cha akakushi hoyo pisa la chi ka aivlhpiesa vma Kana micha chukka achvffa si apakfokvchi hosh impa achukma isht si alota chi Yvmohmi ilvppa aiahni onnahinli alottoa ho il apesa tuk Nan ihmi ho Chisvs Klaist vt Illit Falamvt Tani Tok a e holitoblichi ka il ikhaiyana pulla Chitokaka yvt i miha aiahlichit aiashvchika hvpi ahlakoffichi tuka yakoke il ima Chihowa hvt yakni i hullo fehna tuka si anukfokka kvt hopohla hlampko eshi li Pim aiashvchika pim alhchifa hinla ka Ushi achvffa illa Aiokchaya im anumpa a sv bvnna keyukmvt ahokofa ittishi likma i hullo yvmmvt sv hallvlli Chitokaka im i holittopa kvt ahli ka nan uha yvt ilvppa hochefo kvt hopohlvt eshi ka ahni li chim aiokchaya yvt nan isht aiyukpa yo Chitokaka yvt chi o bohli tok Chisvs Klaist vt Illit Falamvt Tani Tok i miha anonti Chisvs im illi tok osh falamt tani yvt holitopvt isht anumpa hinla tuk Chisvs Klaist vt Illit Falamvt Tani Tok ilvppa Tuskahoma ya okla ish ibafoka keyukmvt chi chukka achvffa anonti chi kana ish iba holitoblicha chi ka ahni li micha im aivlhpesa imma nittak achukma ish isha chike Chisvs im illi tok osh falamvt tani yvt Chisvs Klaist vt Illit Falamvt Tani Tok i miha aiahlichi tok anumpa nan anoli ako ilvppa isht vhlichi la chi:    hatak tuklo kvt i na fohka shohmalali hosh itumasi a hinli tok Luke Chapta Pokoli Tuklo akucha Ushta: Anumpa Atatoa Achvffa hiket Untuchina Vhli Learn to say the phrase: “My granddaughter wants to plant flowers.” Learn to say the phrase: “All of the women will help their children.” Chief Batton talks about why we wear red on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Day there were over 300 Choctaw children in the custody of the state of Oklahoma only 42 Choctaw Nation foster homes were available for these children to stay in A sad fact of the world is that sometimes children are separated from their birth parents These separations can happen due to a variety of reasons the case is investigated to see if the allegations are true whether the concerns can be remedied with resources and if it is necessary to remove the child from the situation Robert Whitfield, a foster care recruiter with the Choctaw Nation “When it is necessary to remove a child from their home we always first try to place them with a safe family member.” One of the primary goals of the foster program is to support reunification with biological families whenever it is possible and safe that takes time as that parent works through the process of getting their children back Foster families fill that gap until everybody is certain the children are returning to a safe environment “These foster homes keep these children temporarily as we work with the family to make efforts towards reunification,” said Whitfield According to an Oklahoma Department of Health Services report released in 2020 Native American children remain disproportionally affected tribal children are four times more likely to come into custody many are separated from their culture as they are placed in non-tribal homes The Choctaw Nation prides itself on taking care of its own, as evidenced by the vast number of services it provides its citizens when it comes to the citizens taking care of their own in the form of foster care only 42 Choctaw families had stepped up to be foster homes The number of children needing a temporary home greatly outweighs the number of homes available December numbers showed that nearly 700 Choctaw children were in the foster system nationwide Eighty-two of those children are in the custody of the Choctaw Nation while over 300 Choctaw children are in the custody of the state of Oklahoma alone not every Choctaw child in the state’s custody is placed with a family member or in a Choctaw home Many of our children still need Choctaw families to care for them Whitfield said that many people think of foster care in a traditional sense “Traditional foster care is where an individual doesn’t know the child and they’re willing to open their home and their lives to let the child in and keep them temporarily.” Whitfield explained that there are other types of foster care Kinship foster care is where there’s a pre-existing relationship such as a relative who knows the child or a family friend who has a substantial relationship with the family “Emergency foster care is often used when we’re trying to get a family member approved for kinship care but we’re not able to get them through fast enough for that child to go there right then and there.” Those emergency homes typically step up and take that child for the length of time it takes to get the family member approved The shortest type of foster care is respite care Homes that offer respite care are primarily focused on sharing their homes for brief periods This can be when other homes need breaks or when something occurs that would require them to be away for a short period of time Part of the process of being approved to be a part of the foster care program is a home study This is where each family’s strengths and preferences are reviewed and discussed a foster specialist with the Choctaw Nation “That’s the beautiful thing about our program; you get to have that conversation about what you as a parent are the most comfortable with.” Approval to be a foster family usually takes a minimum of 90 days There’s training for prospective foster families “Our families that foster have a variety of different backgrounds and household compositions,” said Whitfield “We work to ensure that all have safe backgrounds and a willingness to care for our children.” if you feel a calling to foster a child but think you or your family won’t qualify the best thing to do is contact the foster care office and talk with them Fostering is a strong calling for many people fostering children was something her family prayed about for a long time “The Nation has done a lot for me throughout my life so it [fostering] is a way to give back to the Nation,” said Hensley “We enjoy interacting with our church kids and getting to influence them and be part of their lives we decided this is a larger extension of that being able to be part of kids’ lives for the long term short term or whatever they need.” Hensley’s extended family had a say in the fostering idea before they even started the process “My parents and my husband’s parents my husband’s siblings because we wanted them to understand they’re going to be part of our home and our family,” said Hensley Bringing children into a strange home is never going to be easy The training offered by the Choctaw Nation helped Hensley and her family to prepare but she says it was still somewhat of a shock the first time both under the age of two; one of them was just a few months old,” said Hensley it didn’t take long for the Hensleys to start treating them as they would their own kids: get them fed Hensley said her foster kids usually sleep well at first “These foster kids sleep really well They’re shocked and sleep because I know they’re exhausted.” That first placement with the Hensleys lasted four nights Hensley says they definitely got attached to the girls and it was emotional letting go when they were placed in a kinship foster Vorhees says one reason she often hears that someone doesn’t want to get involved with fostering is that they don’t want to get attached That’s exactly what makes a great foster family “If something were to happen with your family or your home and your children needed to go stay somewhere else for a little bit wouldn’t you want the people that are going to go stay with to be attached you’d want your children to come home to you,” said Vorhees “We want more foster families to support that And when people tell me I don’t want to get attached we should be able to do that for the sake of children “We can deal with the loss of a kid being in our home loving them and then having to give them up They’re there because they’re told to be; they have to be,” said Hensley love and care can lead to a life-long impact Cheri Battle started fostering because she wanted to impact kids’ lives She wants them to know that their experiences don’t define them “Your trauma doesn’t define you,” said Battle “You can change your narrative.” but I keep in mind that they will leave one day depending on how their case goes,” Battle said Battle has lost contact with only a few of her foster kids She says they’ll sometimes call or video chat with her to see how she is “I’ll always ask them one question,” said Battle making good grades and following the rules.” Battle and other foster families bring structure and care to these children’s lives Seeing that has made all the struggles worth it to Battle “I don’t think people realize that you’re not paying for childcare and you get a monthly reimbursement from the state,” Vorhees said other common misconceptions are that you have to be married or can’t work and foster simultaneously Vorhess says you absolutely can and that they accept all family types Many people don’t know that they have choices when it comes to foster care “You get to tell us what gender you’re most comfortable with what age range you’re most comfortable with and the behaviors that may be a hard no,” said Vorhees When families have that conversation with the foster care program it gives them a well-rounded understanding of what makes you and your family comfortable “We know what type of child can be put into your home which reduces the amount of moves that child needs to make And that’s just a big win for everybody,” Vorhees said With the Choctaw Nation Foster Care program you have a whole team helping you and the child “When you have a child that comes into your home you have a worker that works with the child; they’re on the child’s team They’re working on this child’s case you have a person like me,” said Vorhees “I’m on the foster parent’s team and working on everything that has to do with that parent.” While adoptions of foster children do happen Vorhees says it’s not something that should be a goal if you’re considering being a foster parent Getting the children back with their birth parents is the ultimate goal Vorhees told a success story of a mother who was reunited with her kids “A mother was involved in a domestic violence situation We received a call that someone was concerned about two children and their well-being Our team did an investigation and took custody,” said Vorhees The abuser went to jail that night, but the mother was devastated. “Our Family Violence Program stepped in to work with her through court appearances Our tribal CPS team worked with her to ensure she finished her classes and abided by the case plan goal to get her children back,” Vorhees said the mother was consistent with visits and communicated well with the foster parents She completed everything our tribal judge required; she maintained housing and a job and her children were returned home,” said Vorhees When you step back and look at it, 42 isn’t a very big number compared to the number of loving Choctaw families on the reservation and across the state. In a video posted on the Choctaw Nation website challenged Choctaw tribal members to step up and participate and that’s something we need to live up to “I would like nothing more than to have more homes than children that come into custody we haven’t gotten a call from you in a while I would like to have so many homes that we’re not having to sit up making calls to find one bed,” said Vorhees “At the end of the day these kids just want to feel safe loving homes that would be willing to open their hearts.” then who?” Many qualified Choctaw homes could take on a little extra the Choctaw Nation Foster Care program is able to support homes in Oklahoma and some areas of northern Texas and western Arkansas within 60 miles of the reservation “As the need for foster homes is nationwide families residing outside of these coverage areas are encouraged to contact their local child welfare agencies for more information about fostering in their area,” said Whitfield If you’re in an area supported by Choctaw Nation Foster Care and have just a little extra love, reach out to the Choctaw Nation Foster Care office to see if foster care is right for you Stay informed with this twice-weekly e-newsletter sent right to your inbox opens their largest storefront in the Dallas Fort Worth area in Arlington This is the 29th brick-and-mortar location for the brand and the 21st in Texas Lucchese celebrated this milestone with a Grand Opening event on April 11 The storefront is located across from Loews Hotel and Soy Cowboy steps away from Texas Live and Globe Life Field.  “We are thrilled to expand Lucchese’s presence in DFW with our seventh storefront in the area,” says Angela Hahn the brand’s Vice President of Retail Operations “This new location represents not only our continued growth but also our investment in the City of Arlington and its vibrant community Our retail spaces allow brand fans and newcomers alike to step foot into the Western lifestyle and experience our unmatched level of craftsmanship and enduring commitment to the community.”  Lucchese is proud to continue its investment in the city of Arlington through its partnership with the newly opened National Medal of Honor Museum as a member of the Museum’s Stars Circle Lucchese’s story goes beyond craftsmanship—it’s about character This partnership exemplifies one of the brand’s core philanthropic pillars: “Honoring those who serve.” It’s a longstanding commitment that began in 1883 and continues today through the company’s ongoing support of military personnel “Supporting our nation’s Medal of Honor Recipients is important and – through this new collaboration – done with the purpose and craftsmanship befitting the Medal,” said Chris Cassidy National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation President and CEO “With a storefront just down the road from the Museum Lucchese is a great representative of our local community and we are grateful for the support of this iconic Texas brand in our mission to preserve and share the stories of America’s heroes.”  has 3,600 square feet of retail space and features an extensive selection of Lucchese’s handmade cowboy boots and casual footwear for men and women this new location offers a refined retail experience for both locals and visitors alike Lucchese offers more of their craftsmanship beyond footwear with a curated assortment of unique apparel all exclusively designed for Lucchese.  in addition to about a dozen corporate tenants in the stadium’s office space.   Click here to learn more about Lucchese Bootmaker View on Map Contact Us The Choctaw Nation Public Health Department is actively monitoring the ongoing measles outbreak in West Texas and New Mexico to safeguard the health of our community no confirmed cases of measles have been reported within the Choctaw Nation Reservation and the risk remains low for vaccinated individuals Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that causes a rash accompanied with a fever Although measles was declared eliminated in the United States outbreaks can still occur in certain regions Symptoms typically appear 7-14 days after exposure and may include: Children under the age of 5 are at a higher risk of severe complications Unvaccinated individuals are particularly vulnerable with 9 out of 10 unprotected people contracting the virus after exposure CNO Epidemiologist Mason Emert emphasizes that vaccination is the most effective defense against measles saying “One dose of the MMR vaccine provides approximately 93% protection while two doses offer about 97% protection.” “Eligible patients can receive vaccinations through their local county health department or by contacting the Community Health Nurse at the nearest Choctaw Nation Healthcare Facility,” says CNO Director of Public Health Rikki LaRoche If you or your child develops symptoms of measles, contact your primary care provider or visit the nearest emergency room in case of severe symptoms. To verify vaccination status, reach out to your local county health department, primary care provider, or visit Immunization Record Info Request if vaccinated in Oklahoma For more detailed information about measles, please visit Healthy Children The Choctaw Nation Public Health Department remains committed to protecting the health and well-being of our community We encourage everyone to stay informed and ensure vaccinations are up to date Rubella) vaccination is recommended between ages 12-15 months because it allows the body to develop a better immune response If a woman has previously received an MMR vaccination antibodies can cross the placenta and provide short-term immunity for the infant this immunity is short term and is not an adequate substitute for standard vaccinations the CDC recommends earlier vaccinations for infants who may be traveling internationally It is recommended to speak with your pediatrician or primary care provider to determine if an earlier vaccination is recommended It typically takes 2-3 weeks after completing the vaccination series to adequately produce protective antibodies and become fully protected CDC considers people who received two doses of measles vaccine as children according to the U.S If you work in healthcare or other high-risk settings or have a documentation of waning MMR immunity (i.e. contact your primary care provider to determine if additional vaccination is recommended measles can cause serious complications for all age groups but especially for children younger than 5 years of age and/or individuals with weakened immune systems and/or the local health department for further guidance and evaluation The Durant Community Center is slated to be completed in early 2026 the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma broke ground on a new community center in Durant nearly doubling the existing facility’s capacity The new community center is approximately 12,500 square feet almost 3,000 square feet more than the existing center The facility will include a large multipurpose room for events and activities Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton and Assistant Chief Jack Austin Jr which was attended by members of the tribal council “This groundbreaking marks our commitment to fostering growth and opportunity for our tribal members,” said Chief Batton “We are providing more space for education ensuring that our people have the resources they need We are proud to invest in the future of the Choctaw Nation and today is another example of how we are working to strengthen our community for generations to come.” Contact Kristina Humenesky for any media relations needs at [email protected] Presenting the check for the Chahta Foundation Gaming & Hospitality Scholarships are from Left to right: Choctaw Nation Senior Executive Officer of Commerce Heidi Grant; Executive Director of the Chahta Foundation Angela Palmer; and Choctaw Nation Senior Director of Gaming Brand and Partnerships Erica Kosemund These funds raised through the annual golf tournament are matched by the Choctaw Nation MCKINNEY, Texas – The second annual Choctaw Nation Gaming & Hospitality Scholarship Golf Tournament raised more than $161,989 for the Chahta Foundation Gaming & Hospitality Scholarship Program This amount is matched by the Choctaw Nation bringing the scholarship total to more than $323,000 The tournament was held at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas on Oct. 21, 2024, with presenting sponsors Aristocrat and Gaming Capital Group. It featured 33 teams and 37 sponsors closely affiliated with Choctaw Casinos & Resorts. These scholarships aim to assist tribal members in becoming future leaders in the gaming and hospitality industry by awarding scholarships to those seeking a degree in a variety of fields including “This scholarship is life changing,” said Angela Palmer executive director of the Chahta Foundation “One of our recipients last year was headed into her senior year of college and didn’t have the funds to cover tuition but this scholarship allowed her to continue her education.” In October, the Chahta Foundation awarded fifteen $10,000 scholarships to Choctaw students pursuing degrees in fields that benefit the gaming and hospitality industry  This year’s scholarships were given to tribal members in Oklahoma “We want to congratulate all of our recipients and thank the Choctaw Tribal Council the Chahta Foundation and our gaming partners for supporting these scholarships Their investment is helping to educate our next generation of industry leaders,” said Heidi Grant senior executive officer of commerce for Choctaw Nation Contact Kristina Humenesky for any media relations needs at [email protected] Megan McBride shows her traditional tattoos What began as a casual online discussion among Choctaw community members has grown into a cultural rebirth, reconnecting Native communities with their ancestral roots through the Inchunwa Project The story of Inchunwa began in 2017 when a small group of Choctaws started researching the cultural significance of traditional tattoos While Lindsay Reeder-Mendoza wasn’t part of the initial group she joined in 2018 when conversations about traditional tattoos resumed in an online chat for Choctaw women and Two-Spirits.”We talked about gathering together to walk the Trail of Tears and receive our tattoos as a way to commemorate our friendship,” Reeder-Mendoza said These conversations laid the foundation for what would become the Inchunwa Project a small group of passionate individuals gathered on Zoom and Discord to conduct interviews research and develop a podcast to share their findings This podcast would later become a key part of the Inchunwa movement providing a platform for education and cultural preservation the meaning of Inchunwa goes beyond the literal translation of the Chahta word she has not only deepened her personal connections but also helped others reconnect with their cultural heritage “Some people from the community have reached out and said how much this project has helped them heal emotionally.” The project wasn’t without its challenges the team of young Choctaw and Chickasaw community members struggled to figure out how to spread their message and fund the project “We were four college kids who were just inspired to research but had no clue how to do anything else,” Reeder-Mendoza said and with support from the broader Native community they built a library of interviews and first-hand accounts advancing the visibility of cultural tattooing Reeder-Mendoza believes that traditional tattoos are a vital part of Southeastern tribal identity these tattoos weren’t just decorative but served as a form of communication representing a person’s place within the community and connection to nature fauna and constellations important to our people We were tattooed for rites of passage and life markers,” she explained “These Inchunwa were so important and intertwined into so many aspects of our ancestors’ lives.” She stated that Southeastern Native communities stopped tattooing not by choice but due to colonization Inchunwa is not merely a “revitalization” project—it’s a “revivalization” project breathe life into them again amongst our people Tattooing traditions vary among Southeastern tribes While each tribe assigns meanings to these designs the shared history of intertribal exchanges is evident in the similarities Southeastern tribes traded and intermingled amongst one another it’s no surprise to me as an art historian that we all carry similar imagery on our bodies,” Reeder-Mendoza explained there’s an understanding within the community that designs can be shared and interchanged among Southeastern people The decision to create a podcast stemmed from the desire to make this information more accessible The team initially considered writing a book but they realized a podcast was a quicker and more effective way to reach their audience “Listening to information for a lot of people is an easier way to learn compared to reading,” says Reeder-Mendoza the podcast is the best way for us to share what we’ve learned.” The Inchunwa podcast has resonated deeply with listeners which explores the intersections of Southeastern tattoo history and Native history Reeder-Mendoza recalls her interview with long-time friend Danie Cansino in episode four where they discussed the global history of tattooing and its relevance to Native tattoo history Another memorable moment was her conversation with Julie Cordero-Lamb in episode 13 of series three in which they discussed the importance of adapting traditional practices to modern times The community’s response to Inchunwa has been overwhelmingly positive At events like the Indigenous Futurisms Festival and IPX 2024 Inchunwa’s panels drew large crowds eager to learn more even though we had no retail options and were only sharing academic findings research and temporary tattoos,” Reeder-Mendoza said the most rewarding part of the Inchunwa project is hearing from individuals who have found healing and reconnection through the movement “When someone tells me my research has helped them feel more connected or healed in any way They’re always happy tears when I hear that I’ve helped a fellow Native in any capacity,” she said these moments have helped her on her own healing journey Another member of Inchunwa is Miss Indian Oklahoma Seawright is using her platform to preserve and celebrate southeastern tribal traditions through her involvement with the project including six lines on her fingers and two lines on her face Her tattoos carry both cultural and personal significance The six lines on her fingers pay homage to southeastern traditional tattoos and she said each one represents a personal promise to herself to be better in some way one is red to raise awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous women Seawright’s tattoos also hold a deep personal connection to her family’s experience with loss “My mother and my father experienced infant loss when they were trying to conceive me and so I picked that number from a discussion I had with them,” Seawright said “As It honors these siblings that I have that did not get to I carry them in their memory on my hands.” The two lines across her face represent womanhood I can have three lines,” said Seawright “When I become an elder or have grandkids Seawright explained that the decision to receive a traditional tattoo should not be made lightly “I was taught to pray about them and wait for it to come Wait until either you feel the time is right to add on to your tattoos or to get one Don’t just go out and get them because all images have a meaning.” Seawright believes traditional tattoos play a large part in educating non-natives and create a pathway to introduce them to Indigenous culture “I think it’s just a visual impact to show that we are still here I started getting them in 2018; I get asked by people all over the state And it’s just that moment to educate for them “Because some people have never met a Native American person they don’t know that we’re still here They don’t know we’re still alive and showing that visually and getting to tell them in person and answer any questions and negative stereotypes like help to knock those down and show them how we’re here and we’re not going away anytime soon.” Seawright also encourages people to start by learning about their culture in general “I always encourage starting out learning about just culture in general The team hopes to develop a tattoo apprenticeship program for southeastern Natives who want to learn the practice of cultural tattooing They also hope to launch a website that will serve as an information hub for those interested in learning about traditional tattoos “We’ll be able to take all the information we’ve gathered over the years from different books and resources and have them in a central location to make it easier for everyone to learn,” Reeder-Mendoza said Reeder-Mendoza encourages readers to tune in to the podcast follow Inchunwa on social media and consider donating through Patreon With upcoming events like the Indigenous Tattoo & Music Festival in Albuquerque where Inchunwa will lead a panel on the intersections of body sovereignty and cultural heritage in tattoo revival work the project shows no signs of slowing down Reeder-Mendoza and her team are already planning for 2025 with participation in major events such as IndigiPopX and the Okla Chahta Clan Gathering in California its mission remains clear: to revive and celebrate the traditional tattoos that once defined Southeastern Native identity ensuring they remain a living part of the culture for generations to come Choctaw Indian Princess Leilani Elyse Allen and Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians ambassadors visited Armstrong Junior High School last week as both Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben and 2024-2025 Choctaw Indian Princess Leilani Elyse Allen addressed the Armstrong Junior High School student body in their native Choctaw language Princess Leilani and other ambassadors from the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians visited AJHS to speak to eighth graders about the Choctaw Nation as part of an emphasis on Native American History Month The learning experience was organized by the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District's Reading 2 Succeed grant program After sharing a few more statements spoken in the Choctaw language Chief Ben also explained how many of the place names we know in Mississippi and Alabama are actually Choctaw names that have been anglicized in their pronunciation Noxubee and even Oktibbeha are actually Choctaw words with meanings that identify their location or proximity to natural elements Chief Ben and Choctaw Princess Leilani shared some of the history and cultural influence of the Choctaw Nation in Mississippi and the Southeast Ambassadors from the Mississippi Band brought examples of woven baskets blow darts and stick ball sets to show students how the traditional cultural arts and practices are still being taught today as the Choctaw Nation preserves its heritage Chief Ben also spoke to students about how many of the old ways of agriculture and industry have been updated to meet modern demands for goods He also shared how the gaming industry has provided new revenue for the Mississippi Band Choctaw Indian Princess Leilani Elyse Allen dressed in a traditional Choctaw Princess ensemble and shared the symbolism found in various parts of her attire She also explained how some of her jewelry and headwear were made Allen was named the 2024-2025 Choctaw Indian Princess in July at a pageant that is traditionally part of the annual Choctaw Indian Fair held in Neshoba County She has taken a year off from her studies at Belhaven University to devote time to touring the state as an ambassador for the Mississippi Band – a part of her duties as the reigning Princess "Do you see the diamond pattern on my dress?" she asked AJHS students the diamond represents the diamondback rattlesnake Our people were not afraid of the rattlesnake but honored it as a protector of our crops." Chief Ben and Princess Leilani also demonstrated how the game of stickball is played and spoke about the game's prominence in the Choctaw culture They showed students sticks that had been made by cutting Chief Ben also shared how balls are traditionally made by wrapping a stone in string and then leather cord until a hard ball is formed Students had the opportunity to see the sticks and balls up close to feel their materials Because there were traditionally very few rules in stickball the sport could be tough for young players.  "Stickball is played on a large field and players do not wear any pads," he said "It includes many skills like running throwing and catching that are foundational elements of other sports I still have scars on my forehead from my time playing stickball when I was younger." The visit from Chief Ben and other Choctaw Ambassadors was arranged as part of an initiative by the SOCSD Reading 2 Succeed grant program as a way to educate students about our neighbors in Neshoba County during November which has been designated as Native American History Month Reading 2 Succeed purchased copies of several age-appropriate books about the Choctaw Nation and Native Americans in general and distributed the books to each AJHS English and History classroom as well as the Armstrong library Reading 2 Succeed is one of more than a dozen grant-based programs housed at the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District's Discovery Center and workshops designed to help the district make connections between home Reading 2 Succeed began in 2018 through a grant and continues its work to develop and improve literacy skills for children from birth to 12th grade Chief Ben ended the afternoon by answering questions from Armstrong students who were curious about how Choctaw members learn stickball and dart blowing He left students with an encouragement to learn and seek more about the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians "We are a part of Mississippi," he said When you go to other areas around the state I encourage you to ask questions about our culture and about how we are described in your history classes." GET OUR SPARK NEWSLETTER This site provides information using PDF, visit this link to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader DC software The mission of the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District is to achieve excellence by facilitating the discovery and development of each student's passion purpose and potential. #ExpectExcellence © 2018 Starkville Oktibbeha School District