Navajo Artist ‘Best of Show’

The Chickasaw Times Post Office Box 1548 Ada, OK 74821 Chickasaw Times Vol. LIV, No. 6 Official publication of the Chickasaw Nation www.chickasawtimes.net June 2019 Making a positive difference in daily lives of citizens Transportation Services facility dedicated May 23 in Ada ADA, Okla. – Governor Bill Ano- Chickasaws and others in the atubby led May 23 ceremonies community.” dedicating the new Chickasaw The 4,869 square-foot facil- Nation Transportation Services ity will house 11 administration facility in Ada. staff and offer office space for 30 The new facility, Gov. Anoatub- regional transportation special- by said, would support expansion ists. It features two conference of vital transportation programs rooms, a dispatch area, a break and make a positive impact on room and a fitness area. the lives of Chickasaws and oth- The new facility also includes a ers in the community. large state-of-the-art commercial Chickasaw Nation Transporta- wash bay area, to ensure clients tion Services offers access to af- can experience a clean, comfort- fordable transportation, In 2018, able ride. There is covered park- It provided more than 43,000 ing for the entire base fleet. rides. Chickasaws, other Indian Located at 17500 County Road citizens and community mem- 3570 near the Chickasaw Nation bers utilized the service for travel Medical Center, the new facil- to medical appointments, job in- ity was constructed in partner- terviews and work sites, ship with the Federal Highways “Chickasaw Nation Transporta- Gov. Bill Anoatubby, center, is joined by Chickasaw Nation elected officials and tribal Transportation Services staff in ribbon cutting ceremonies to open Administration and the Federal the new Chickasaw Nation Transportation Services facility in Ada, Thursday, May 23. tion Services makes a difference Transit Administration. in the day-to-day lives of those we enhance the overall quality of life Chickasaw Nation. “While this is a beautiful facil- For more information about serve, Gov. Anoatubby said. of the Chickasaw people.” The department’s Road-to- ity, what is even more important Chickasaw Nation Transportation “The purpose of this new Transportation Services pro- Work program provides a low- is the work people do from here,” Services, visit Chickasaw.net, or Chickasaw Nation Transporta- vides transportation and pre- cost transportation alternative Gov. Anoatubby said. “We are call (580) 310-6453. tion Services building is really scription pickup and delivery for commuters and is open to the pleased when we are able to have the purpose of all of our work, to to all Indian citizens within the public. a positive impact on the lives of Artesian Arts Festival a success; Navajo artist ‘Best of Show’ Gov. Bill Anoatubby, left, presents the Artesian Arts Festival “Best of Show” medal to Jimmie Harrison’s son, Jeremy, during Friday’s artist reception at the Artesian Hotel. Festival-goers pour onto the Artesian plaza in downtown Sulphur, Okla., May 25 for the sixth annual Artesian Arts Festival. SULPHUR, Okla. – Thousands Art on exhibition included pho- Mr. Harrison, of Albuquerque, of art lovers flocked to downtown tography, textiles and pottery, N.M., has participated in the Ar- Sulphur Saturday, May 25 to expe- bead work, sculpture, jewelry, tesian Arts Festival for four years. rience the sixth annual Artesian painting and more. His work was selected by the Arts Festival. “Best in Show was awarded to Artesian Arts Festival’s juried More than 125 elite artists rep- distinguished Navajo jeweler competition. “Giver of Life” by Navajo jeweler Jimmie Harrison, of Albuquerque, N.M., was named Artesian Arts resenting 11 states and 19 tribes Jimmie Harrison, with his work Throughout the day, tribal Festival “Best of Show.” took part in the event. “Giver of Life.” SEE ARTESIAN ARTS FESTIVAL, PAGE 2 Dynamic Women Conference attracts Chickasaw women from across the country THACKERVILLE, Okla. - Chicka- tion Department of Health and The keynote speech was deliv- saw women from across the coun- administrator of the Division of ered by 2018 Chickasaw Nation try gathered May 2-3 for the 2019 Health. Dr. Parker has worked for Dynamic Woman of the Year, Chickasaw Nation Dynamic Wom- many years to increase the qual- Amanda Cobb-Greetham, Ph.D. en Conference at WinStar Conven- ity of health care for Native Amer- Dr. Cobb-Greetham serves as tion Center in Thackerville. icans. She has a long history of chair of the Native American This year’s conference theme tribal service that highlights her Studies Department at the Uni- “Conquer Life’s Opportunities,” close relationship with the people versity of Oklahoma. She contin- featured presenters, panel discus- of the Chickasaw Nation and all ues to research, write and curate sions and breakout sessions. Native Americans. museum exhibitions in addition The “Conquer Life’s Opportuni- Questions for the panel varied to her duties as director of Native ties” panel gathered on the sec- from dealing with challenges to American studies at OU. ond day of the conference. Fea- balancing work life and family. Dr. Cobb-Greetham’s research tured panelists included Heather “If you are going through some- examines the state of Oklahoma’s Ahtone, Steffani Cochran, Rebec- thing difficult, or you are facing American Indian identity as por- ca Owens and Chelsey Branham. Native Praise performed at the Dynamic Women of the Chickasaw Nation Conference, May 2-3 at challenges, try to connect with trayed in popular culture. Ms. Ahtone is the senior curator the WinStar Convention Center in Thackerville, Okla. Native Praise was established in 1999 and has your culture,” Ms. Branham said. The Chickasaw Nation Dynamic at the American Indian Cultural been instrumental in preserving Native American culture. Nineteen tribes are represented within “Take a piece of what you are Women of the Year Award was es- Center Foundation in Oklahoma the choir and they sing in the languages of the Cherokee, Choctaw and Chickasaw, Muskogee (Creek) missing and help to fill yourself tablished in 2006 to honor Chick- Marcy Gray City. She has worked in the Native and Seminole tribes. back up.” asaw women who have made arts community since 1993 and eign Wars appeals consultant and long Oklahoman. She is the first The event was led by master of significant contributions to the has an established career as a cu- assists veterans obtain benefits. woman and minority to represent ceremonies and 2014 Chickasaw Chickasaw Nation. rator, arts writer and researcher. She is a 30-year U.S. Navy veteran. her district and strives to create Nation Dynamic Woman of the In conjunction with the confer- Ms. Cochran, 2011 Chickasaw Ms. Owens worked in various law a positive environment and com- Year Karen Goodnight. ence, artwork showcasing the art Nation Dynamic Woman of the enforcement positions including munity to help the state of Okla- Mrs. Goodnight is CEO and of the Chickasaw Woman was ex- Year, has a long history of public patrolman, investigator, marks- homa move forward. president of Goodnight and As- hibited at the convention center. service to Indian County. She has manship instructor and leading Dr. Judy Goforth Parker served sociates and specializes in ex- For more information about the previously served as vice-chair- chief petty officer. as “Conquer Life’s Opportuni- ecutive performance coaching, Dynamic Women Conference, vis- woman of the National Indian Chickasaw citizen Chelsey Bra- ties” panel moderator. Dr. Parker strategic planning, team devel- it Chickasaw.net/DynamicWomen Gaming Commission. She cur- nham is state representative for has served as Chickasaw Nation opment and leadership and orga- or call (580) 272-5520. rently works as general counsel Oklahoma House District 83. Ms. Health Policy Commissioner since nizational development. She is a for the Pueblo of Sandia. Branham is a community leader, July 2018. Previously, she served Chickasaw Nation legislator serv- CONTRIBUTED BY Savannah Burwell, Tribal Com- Ms. Owens is a Veterans of For- nonprofit professional and life- as Secretary of the Chickasaw Na- ing Pontotoc District. munications 2 CHICKASAW TIMES June 2019 Chickasaw citizen Triana Browne earns second runner-up at Miss USA Pageant runner-up in the Miss USA Pag- goodwill and promoting cultural It takes you on this national jour- panel of judges following swim- eant May 2. Named Miss Oklaho- understanding. ney where you are going to speak suit, evening gown and interview ma 2017, she continues with her Her platform focuses on bridg- to more people than ever before, competition. platform of “Bridging the Great ing the culture divide and in- and with this platform ‘Bridging Miss Browne’s selection of Cultural Divide.” cludes sharing Chickasaw culture the Great Cultural Divide,’ some- evening wear, a bronze metallic “Miss Browne is doing excel- and heritage with Oklahoma’s thing I’ve been passionate about, beaded gown, was in homage to lent work helping people of di- youth. it’s timely,” she said in an inter- her ancestors, pageant commen- verse cultures better understand “Once I finished the first year view before the Miss USA pageant. tators said. one another,” Gov. Bill Anoatubby (as Miss Oklahoma), I realized The 68th Annual Miss USA pag- You can follow Miss Browne’s said. “We commend her for her I learned a lot,” she said. “The eant, in Reno, featured 51 contes- journey on facebook.com/Mis- accomplishments and her com- pageant bug bit me and I won. I tants from each state and the Dis- sOklahomaUSA. mitment to bringing people clos- wanted to do it again.” trict of Columbia. About the Miss USA Organiza- er together.” A former college athlete, Miss Miss Carolina Chelsie Kryst was tion Soon after completing her reign Browne traded her track cleats crowned the winner and will rep- The Miss Universe Organization as 2017 Miss Oklahoma, Miss for high-heels and found her pur- resent the U.S.

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