December 2020 Issue Photo by Chris Jennings Celebrating the holidays in the midst of a global pandemic By Kendra Germany-Wall 60% alcohol hand sanitizer, avoiding touching eyes, face, serve the Choctaw people through the pandemic. They nose and mouth. More information on traveling during have utilized the Chahta Achuffa Member Portal to help The COVID-19 global pandemic has affected every as- the pandemic can be found on the CDC’s website. eligible tribal members apply for programs like the pect of daily life, and the holiday season is no exception. An important thing to keep in mind is the health of Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Voucher and Christ- As Christmas approaches, the number of COVID-19 others. If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, are mas for Families in Need programs. These programs cases have begun to surge. Millions of Americans will experiencing symptoms, have been exposed or are at are designed to help provide eligible Choctaw families need to decide how they will celebrate the holiday this increased risk of severe illness due to COVID-19, please access to food and gifts during the holiday season. year. do not attend in-person events. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute Celebrating virtually or only with members of your of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and Robert Redfield, own household poses a low risk for spread and is highly director of the Centers for Disease Control and Preven- encouraged. tion, have warned of the potential for a spike in infec- If your family chooses to host an in-person holiday tions stemming from holiday parties, even those that are celebration, the CDC encourages you to keep a few small and among relatives. considerations in mind. When possible, hosting outdoor The holidays are traditionally a time for families to activities rather than indoors is preferable. If hosting gather and spend time with each other. With the risk of outdoors is not possible, and you choose to host an transmitting COVID-19, it is essential to understand the indoor event, avoid crowded, poorly ventilated or fully risks of in-person gathering and considering the guide- enclosed spaces. One way to increase ventilation is by lines set forth by the CDC. opening windows and doors. Other recommendations include hosting activities with only people from your local area as much as possible, limiting the number of attendees, providing updated information to your guests about any COVID-19 safety guidelines, and providing masks and hand sanitizer. If you are planning in-person holiday gatherings with people outside of your house- hold, consider asking all guests to strictly avoid contact with people outside of their households for 14 days before the gathering. During the celebration, the CDC recommends guests practice social distancing. It is also important to be particularly mindful in areas where it may be harder to keep this distance, such as restrooms and eating areas. Other recommendations include avoiding using restroom facilities at high traffic times, such as at the Photo by Christian Toews end of a public event, avoid busy eating areas, such as restaurants during high volume mealtimes, minimize James Stipe hands a box of food to Lila Tucker. The boxes gestures that promote close contact and wearing masks. were provided by the USDA Farmers to Families program and It is also recommended to avoid singing, chanting or the Chahta Foundation. Choctaw Nation employees and volun- shouting. teers distributed 1,725 food boxes weighing approximately 20 When it comes to food and drinks, make sure everyone pounds each in the Crowder, Stigler and Coalgate communities. practices proper handwashing. Instead of potluck-style Photo by Chris Jennings gatherings, encourage guests to bring food and drinks According to Kenneth Winship, Director of Youth Large boxes were filled with employee food donations at the for themselves. Limiting people going in and out of the Outreach, the Christmas for Families in need program Choctaw Nation headquarters in Durant. areas where food is being prepared or handled, such as typically serves 1,200 -1,600 tribal members each year. in the kitchen or around the grill, if possible, is also sug- Outreach Services also offers the Chahta Youth and The tips for in-person gatherings include measures gested. Wearing a mask while preparing or serving food Elder Angel Tree programs. These programs helped like holding events outdoors, limiting their size, having to others who don’t live in your household is encour- bring gifts to Choctaw children and elders in need this participants wear masks and maintaining social dis- aged. If serving food, consider having one person serve holiday season. As a health precaution, elders were tance. The CDC also encourages hosts to request that all the food so that multiple people are not handling the given gift cards this year. guests avoid contact with anyone outside their house- serving utensils. Avoid any self-serve food or drink op- The spirit of giving runs deep within the Choctaw hold for two weeks before the activity. Close contact tions, such as buffets or buffet-style potlucks, salad bars, Nation. Various departments help food, clothing and is now considered as being within 6 feet of an infected and condiments or drink stations. Use grab-and-go meal toy drives this year. All Wellness Center locations held person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over options, if available. If you choose to use reusable items, canned food, winter apparel drives and new toy drives. a 24-hour period starting from two days before illness wash and adequately disinfect after the event. The Choctaw Nation Employee Food Drive helped de- onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, two days prior to For more tips on how to stay safe this holiday sea- liver needed food items to more than 40 food banks and test specimen collection) until the time the patient is son, visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/dai- pantries across the region. All Choctaw Nation Head isolated. ly-life-coping/holidays.html. Start and Early Child Care locations held a clean and Traveling is also an issue that families need to con- The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma has kept in mind gently used coat drive. Choctaw Nation Recycling Cen- sider. A study conducted for the Department of Defense the CDC’s guidelines this holiday season. Many of its ters also joined in to bring Christmas joy to the area by indicated that the risk of catching the virus on a plane annual holiday events and programs have taken the partnering with Native American Ministries in Durant is minimal because aircraft have a high turnover of health and safety of tribal members into consideration, to deliver clean, gently used toys to kids and used cloth- airflow and use HEPA filters. and changes have been made to deliver services in a safe ing for those in need throughout Oklahoma. However, the CDC still strongly recommends that all manner. The vision of the Choctaw Nation is living out the passengers traveling on public transportation and on- All community holiday parties and meals were held Chahta spirit of faith, family and culture. The Choctaw board personnel wear face masks to avoid spreading the curbside, and extra precautions were taken when pre- Nation offers services to its tribal members year-round. virus. The CDC also encourages travelers to practice so- paring and serving food. To find out more about services and programs available, cial distancing, washing hands often and using at least Choctaw Nation Outreach Services have continued to visit www.choctawnation.com/tribal-services. 2 BISKINIK December 2020 Big Panther Month – Koi Chito Hvshi Faith, Family, Culture Seeing the blessing Have a holly, jolly during tough times and safe Christmas This year has been challenging for many. It has been It has been over eight months since a global pan- a time of uncertainty and worry. We all have been demic was declared. The holiday season is normally directly affected by COVID-19 in one way or another. a time to gather with family and celebrate, but this Many have been sick, lost loved ones or experienced Christmas will be different for many of us adjusting financial hardships due to the pandemic. There is no to new ways of living. My heart and prayers go out doubt that 2020 has been a difficult journey. However, to everyone who has been directly affected by the through it all, God has blessed us along the way. pandemic. In June, we announced that we would be distribut- I hope you all take the necessary precautions to ing $200.8 million in CARES Act funding to our tribal keep yourself and your loved ones safe and healthy. members through support programs. Many of us long to spend time with our aging par- Tribal members were able to apply for programs like ents, grandparents, and old friends to get into the holiday spirit. We want to feel some sense of normal- COVID-19 Tribal Member Child Care Support, Food Assistant Chief Jack Austin Jr. Security, Technology Assistance, Student Assistance, cy after being in the pandemic for so long, but this Chief Gary Batton ACT Online Prep, Elder Food Security, Disability Food doesn’t mean we should let our guard down. Security, Elder Rental Assistance and Choctaw Small Christmas is a special time, but for the safety of Business Relief. Eligible tribal members who experi- those we love, we need to look at it differently this year. Although we know much enced a loss of income or financial hardship due to COVID-19 were able to apply for more about the spread of COVID-19 since March 2020, we also know that the vi- a one-time $1,000 payment to help with bills.