Native American Center Gets Upgrade Preparation Is Key to Success
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Recycling A mother’s 2013 efforts making big Bow Shoot an IMPACT secret Schedule Page 4 Page 5 Page 10 BISKINIK CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED PRESORT STD P.O. Box 1210 AUTO Durant OK 74702 U.S. POSTAGE PAID CHOCTAW NATION BISKINIKThe Official Publication of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma February 2013 Issue Choctaw Nation: BRET MOSS Regional University System of Oklahoma Regent Terry Mat- Johnson of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, opening of SE’s Center for Student Success. The new facility lock, Chickasaw Gov. Bill Anoatubby, Southeastern Oklahoma Choctaw Nation Chief Gregory E. Pyle, and State Rep. Dustin includes the Native American Center, Academic Advising and State University President Larry Minks, Chancellor Glen D. Roberts cut the ribbon during a ceremony celebrating the Learning Center and other programs. Native American Center gets upgrade By BRET MOSS the atrium of the student union. The which had previously been on the student body is of Native decent, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma sizable audience heard remarks from Did you know opposite end of campus, meaning with Choctaw members comprising several state leaders, including many new Native American students the largest of the tribes represented Choctaw Nation Chief Gregory E. Southeastern leads may have missed the original NAC. on campus. That 30 percent trans- Students at Southeastern Okla- Pyle, Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Now that these departments are in lates into about 1,100 students with homa State University (SE) in Anoatubby, Oklahoma State Regent all Oklahoma the same building, these students are Choctaws numbering over 500, Durant can now experience an ease John Massey and former SE regional universities sure to be fully aware of this signifi- according to Standefer. With Native of access to many resources offered president and current Chancellor of cant resource they have at their students being a large portion of the by the university with the opening of the Oklahoma State System of ? disposal. “I’ve been able to see a lot student body, the upgrade of the in the four and five its new Center for Student Success. Higher Education Glen D. Johnson. more Native American students,” NAC should see even more positive The center, located in the heart of Many students who toured the year graduation rates stated academic advisor for the NAC, reception and use as time passes. the campus, is comprised of a group NAC were pleased to see the new of Native students Chantelle Standefer. The new NAC is filled with cultural of programs, including the Native accommodations. “It looks good,” The previous NAC helped to artifacts, the majority from the American Center (NAC), Academic said Dakota Estrada, who was enroll students, assisted with Choctaw Nation, with many donated draw more student interest. Advising and Learning Center, excited to see where he would be schoolwork, and facilitated many by the tribe and tribal members. “It is easier for them to find us among other programs. These spending his time. Student worker events that promoted Native Choctaw baskets, artwork and other and I feel like I make more connec- university entities have been moved Hailey Cusher followed Estrada by culture. The new facilities will serve artifacts such as stickball sticks line tions here. Having advising so close from separate parts of campus and mentioning she preferred the new all the same functions as well as add walls and fill display cabinets. definitely helps,” said Erin McDan- brought together under one roof in location, noting it is much easier to a computer lab, conference room, a The renovation and relocation of iel, a peer advisor for the Choctaw the midst of the highest student find. lobby to serve as a meeting ground offices was made possible by a Scholarship Advisement Program traffic area on campus, allowing The building that houses the for Native student groups, and more combination of a U.S. Department of whose office is housed in the center. more attention and ease of access. center is the former location of the exposure for activities occurring the Education grant written by SE The cohabitation of the building A large crowd was on hand as the SE bookstore, which moved in 2007. there. staff and Chris Wesberry, NAC with other SE programs will allow Center for Student Success officially The structure has since been The new center will help “us better director, and contributions from SE more exposure of the center to opened its doors on Jan. 24 with a unoccupied due to the requirement serve Native American students and and other sources. The grant is Native students who may not have ribbon cutting and dedication of extensive renovations. With those make them more aware of the currently in its second year of its known the resources offered to them. ceremony. The event began in the requirements fulfilled, activities will resources available to them,” five-year term with a goal of increas- The Academic Advising Center is a afternoon with a reception for guests, be able to occur in a prime position mentioned Standefer. ing the number of Native American starting place for all new students, followed by a dedication service in on campus, which is expected to Currently, 30 percent of the graduates. u What’s inside Columns .............................................2 Nursery News .....................................4 Preparation is key to success Food Distribution ................................9 Notes to the Nation .............................3 transportation and more. People You Know ...............................6 Economic development Pyle welcomed nearly 200 in attendance Feb. 1 at the Education ............................................7 council’s general session in the Choctaw Resort’s confer- Obituaries ...........................................8 ence area. He highlighted the Choctaw Nation’s top Iti Fabvssa ........................................10 important to future priorities – education, health and jobs. The expansion of tribal business is vital to the success of enhancing the The Mission of Oklahoma’s tribes lives of tribal members. of the Choctaw “Our vision is to achieve healthy, successful, produc- By LISA REED tive, and self-sufficient lifestyles for a proud nation of Nation of Oklahoma Choctaws,” Pyle said. Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Seminole Nation Chief Leonard Harjo, who has To enhance the lives of all members worked at the executive level for over 20 years, com- through opportunities designed to A recurring theme emerged as leaders of the Five mented on the growth and progress among the five develop healthy, successful and Civilized Tribes explored the future – the necessity of tribes, commending his peers for the strides that have productive lifestyles. expanding economic development. been made carrying their people forward. The Five Civilized Tribes Inter-Tribal Council met “We are well on the way to achieving our dreams,” for two days in Durant, the top objective to improve he said of the Seminole Nation. “We opened the second u Get your digital copy! services for their people. With expected cuts to federal expansion phase of our Seminole language immer- budgets, the tribal representatives focused on how to sion school two weeks ago. We will be able to have 18 Scan this code with your smartphone continue programs providing assistance, health benefits, children in the full immersion environment five days a to go online for this issue and archive education and cultural awareness. week.” copies of the BISKINIK! Gregory E. Pyle, Choctaw Nation Chief “The Inter-Tribal Council is one of the oldest organi- Funding is available to provide classrooms and http://www.choctawnation.com/ “ zations in Indian Country,” said Choctaw Nation Chief develop curriculum through third grade and the next news-room/biskinik-newspaper-archive/ Gregory E. Pyle. “The unified effort of members of the phase will expand the immersion school through the The unified effort of council and its delegates is important in our communi- sixth grade. The ultimate goal is to create an immersion members of the council cation on a state and federal level.” school for Pre-K through 12th grade. A full day of committee discussions on Jan. 31 opened “I have challenged our language program to create the and its delegates is the third quarterly meeting of the Inter-Tribal Council opportunity for our tribal youth to be bilingual within important in our since it reconvened in June 2012. Staff from the Choc- 20 years,” Harjo said. communication on a taw, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Seminole and Muscogee- The tribes’ commercial efforts are what make this state and federal level. Creek Nations formed work groups to share information possible, especially with the looming issues of federal and ideas on boosting tourism, housing, social services, funding cuts due to the fiscal cliff. It will have an effect “ communication technology, cultural preservation, See Inter-Tribal, Page 2 2 BISKINIK | February 2013 Learning much about our culture From the Desk of encouraged to dress traditional and share history and culture Chief Gregory E. Pyle throughout the day. On this special day each month, prayer is offered in Choctaw language over the intercom, posters are on It is a tremendous blessing to have Choctaw people who are the office doors with stories of tribal history, and exhibition willing to share their knowledge of culture and heritage. Each dances are occasionally part of the day’s routine. day it seems a new tidbit of information passes my way that Although always interested in the history of our great Nation, enriches my life. While most of the hours of our days at the I have learned a great deal since working for the tribe since office and travel are taken up with busy meetings, research, calls 1982. Just visiting the historic sites are a wonderful way to and paperwork, there always seem to be gems of moments each share culture with your friends and family. Some of the more day when there is an opportunity to learn something about prominent places to tour include Wheelock Academy in Miller- Choctaw culture.