MOA Signed for Clinic Transfer in October
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BISKINIKBISKINIKCHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED PRESORT STD P.O. Box 1210 AUTO Durant OK 74702 U.S. POSTAGE PAID CHOCTAW NATION The Offi cial Publication of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma August 2014 Issue Tribal Council MOA signed for Clinic transfer in October holds regular By BRANDON FRYE session Choctaw Nation Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton Choctaw Nation Tribal Council and Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill met for its regular session on Anoatubby signed a memorandum of July 12 at Tvshka Homma. Council members voted to ap- agreement to transfer full operation prove the following measures: of the health clinic in Durant to the • Approval of an easement Choctaw Nation. with PSO on Choctaw “This is very historic and is tribal land in Pittsburg something we have wanted for some County. time,” Delton Cox, Speaker of the • Approval of the Jones Choctaw Tribal Council, said during Academy Student/Parent the ceremony held at Choctaw and Employee Handbooks Nation headquarters. for the residential program Currently, the Choctaw Nation and elementary school for owns the building, but the clinic is 2014-15. • Disposal of surplus equip- staffed by the Chickasaw Nation. The ment. clinic’s operation will be entirely • Five grant applications to managed by the Choctaw Nation U.S. Department of Health beginning Oct. 1, leaders of both and Human Services and tribes announced. IHS (for a regional health “I have the deepest respect for center); U.S. Department governor, not only for what he does of Justice COPS Hiring for his people, but for the person that Grant, Vision 21 Tribal he is,” Chief Batton said. “The Photo by Brandon Frye Community Wellness Cen- governor has always been for the ters and Second Chance Chief Gary Batton and Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby formally sign a memoran- citizens of the Chickasaw Nation as Act; and Indian Commu- dum of agreement June 11 transferring operation of the medical clinic in Durant over to the nity Development Block well as the Choctaws.” Choctaw Nation. Grant. Gov. Anoatubby said the goal of • Approval of $18,150 in the agreement is to provide the operating the clinic and continuing to from the Choctaw Nation and the Durant. “It will be located just outside grant funds from First highest quality health care improve health care here.” Chickasaw Nation on all of the of Durant alongside all of the new Nations Development services possible. With the clinic being operated by committees to make sure the transfer construction that is going on,” Institute for Native Youth “We know in the future we will be the Choctaw Nation, we are looking is complete.” Jackson said. “We have already hired and Culture Fund. able to have better health care,” Gov. forward to taking care of the needs of Of the 21 Chickasaw Nation the architect and engineer firm to start • Approval of budget and Anoatubby said. “Because it will be Choctaws in our service area,” Teresa employees working at the clinic, 18 on the design of the clinic and are re-contracting for Choc- right here in the Choctaw Nation, Jackson, Senior Executive Officer for will now work for the Choctaw Nation, looking for maybe holding a ground- taw Nation Head Start for with the Choctaw Nation running the Division of Health for the Choctaw Jackson said. Additionally, a staff breaking after the first of the year.” 2014-15. Choctaw Nation facilities, and now Nation, said. pharmacist has worked for both tribes “This is a great partnership that • Authorization for Choctaw Transportation to submit with the Choctaw Nation funding it.” “We are working very hard with previously and “knows both protocols” we’ve had, and we are going to a grant application to “We’re brothers and sisters,” Gov. Chickasaw health care leadership to so patients’ medicine and prescrip- continue that,” Chief Batton said. “No Federal Transportation Anoatubby said of the two tribes. make this as seamless a transition as tions will not be an issue, she added. matter how many clinics and hospitals Administration for the Bus “We have a long, long relationship possible,” Jackson said. According to Jackson, the current we build there will also be the need for Facilities Program Ladders —a good one—and this is another “We worked almost a year on the clinic will remain in use, but work is access to care.” of Opportunities Grant in step toward the Choctaw Nation process and have had representation being done to build a new facility in the amount of $6.4 mil- lion. The Choctaw Nation’s Tribal Council holds its regular session Chapel set to open during festival at Tvshka Homma at 10 a.m. on the second Satur- The chapel will seat 150 people day of each month in the Council By ZACH MAXWELL and includes design elements from Chambers at Tushka Homma. Choctaw Nation traditional native churches. The new interdenominational chapel Folsom said this included a simple ◆ What’s inside at Choctaw Nation Capitol Grounds in design as well as a steeple, Tvshka Homma will be dedicated at 10 common aspects of traditional Columns ............................................ 2 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 29. native churches throughout the Nursery News .....................................4 Located south of the village site, Choctaw Nation. Food Distribution ................................4 the placement is no coincidence. There will be no on-site minister Notes to the Nation .............................5 but the chapel will be available for People You Know ...............................6 The chapel will be the first thing Education ............................................7 people see when they come into singings, weddings, funerals, and Obituaries ........................................8-9 Tvshka Homma from the main similar events. Details will be made Iti Fabvssa ........................................ 11 southern entrance. available after the chapel officially “Choctaw people are very opens. spiritual,” said Sue Folsom, Church services will be held at 10 The Mission Executive Director of Cultural a.m. August 31, and gospel singing of the Choctaw Photo by Stacy Shepherd Events. “In order to show more with Choctaw hymns that evening. The Choctaw Nation Chapel at Tvshka Homma as seen un- Nation of Oklahoma respect to our spiritual side, we The chapel replaces a large tent der construction in late July. It is set to open during Labor decided to build this chapel. It’s behind the amphitheater previously Day weekend. To enhance the lives of all members been a dream for a while.” housing Sunday worship services. through opportunities designed to develop healthy, successful and productive lifestyles. Choctaw Nation receives Innovation Award from REI By STEPHENIE OCHOA With the recent nomination of the Choctaw Nation Promise Zone, the Choctaw Nation is ◆ Get your digital copy! expected to be an even bigger part of The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma the growth of new businesses and Scan this code with your smartphone was given the “Innovation Award” services throughout the southeastern to go online for this issue and archive during the Oklahoma Minority Oklahoma areas. As an incubator for copies of the BISKINIK! Enterprise Development (MED) many minority owned small busi- http://www.choctawnation.com/news- banquet coordinated by the REI nesses, utilizing its servant leadership room/biskinik-newspaper-archive/ Native American Business Centers. role, business growth is anticipated. REI Native American Business James Ray, MBDA Business Center Centers deliver technical assistance Project Director said, “The progres- and training programs in an effort sive work of the Choctaw Nation to build successful Native American continues to open the doors of devel- and minority-owned businesses. opment within the communities its Companies utilizing the Centers people live.” receive specialized assistance with For additional information about Photo Provided bids, contracting and procurement the Choctaw Nation and business MBDA Business Center Project Director, James Ray, Execu- opportunities, training and busi- development, visit the Choctaw tive Director of Tribal Policy, Brian McClain, and REI Oklaho- ness counseling, access to capital, Nation website at www.choctawna- ma President and CEO, Scott Dewald. and more. tion.com. 2 BISKINIK | August 2014 FAITH, FAMILY AND CULTURE Choctaw Pride The Giver of Life Unity, the Choctaw way of life Honoring Choctaw women There is one thing I like to see in the about going The Labor Day Festival has grown so much special to Choctaw Nation – family unity. back to over the years. I can remember when Saturday many people Life is just busy and the more successful basics and was the main day with lots of softball, horse- and a perfect the tribe becomes, the more there is to do. It listening to shoes and good food. I played and worked hard example of seems life everywhere has ramped up. There our elders. I with friends and family and have some great “Honoring the are more than 100 programs for tribal believe we members and I am proud to see more are need to listen memories. Giver of Life,” focusing on youth and young families. to what they This is my first year to attend the festival as the theme of This focus encourages them to be inde- are saying to the Assistant Chief. I am excited! I look at the this year’s pendent and strive to be the best they can us. schedule and every familiar event has new festival. She be for themselves and their families. As we meaning. It will be a privilege to help crown the was a humble Choctaw Nation businesses make it possible hurry about, new royalty at the Princess Pageant on the individual and to provide programs and provide much- we have lost festival’s opening night. I’m just glad I’m not graciously needed jobs that also help young parents do that art of one of the judges. Choosing the winners gave honor to well. They have a financial future potentially listening.