The Chickasaw Nation 1983-2018
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YEARS OF 35 PROGRESS The Chickasaw Nation 1983-2018 YEARS OF 35 PROGRESS The Chickasaw Nation 1983-2018 Greetings! This year marks an exciting milestone for our tribe: 35 years ago, the Chickasaw Nation ratified our official tribal constitution. The establishment of this document culminated the tireless process of enacting change and reaffirming the right to self-governance. After statehood, Chickasaws resisted federal assimilation policies by honoring and embracing their rich social and cultural identities. Tribal leaders worked conscientiously to ensure that the new constitution would fit the needs of Chickasaws living in a modern society. The 1983 Constitution re-established the three- department system for our government and reaffirmed sovereignty and self-determination. As a tribe, we have experienced remarkable growth under this Constitution. In the years following ratification, we turned our focus to economic development and business diversification while maintaining education, healthcare and housing as priorities. In doing so, we have been able to further support our mission of enhancing the overall quality of life of the Chickasaw people. Our people have more opportunities than ever before. This anniversary is a time to reflect upon and celebrate the guidance of our Constitution, the foresight of the tribal leaders who drafted it and the path it paved for the Chickasaw Nation to become what it is today. Sincerely, Bill Anoatubby, Governor The Chickasaw Nation 35th Anniversary OF THE CONSTITUTION 1983 1983 Johnson-O’Malley Program administered by the tribe, providing supplemental support for Native Citizens of the Chickasaw American students attending public school. Nation voted to ratify the tribal constitution. The Chickasaw Nation established the Higher The 1983 Constitution Education Scholarship Program, making grants allowed the Chickasaw and scholarships available to tribal citizens who people to decide what is are pursuing higher education. best for their tribe as well as solidified the three The Chickasaw Nation Emergency Medical Services branch structure of tribal program is established by the health system. government: executive, legislative and judicial. 1984 Overton James elected Governor and The Chickasaw Nation is Bill Anoatubby elected as Lt. Governor awarded a grant to establish the food distribution program for qualifying citizens living in the Chickasaw Nation. This timeline includes a selection of Chickasaw Nation highlights. This is not an exhaustive list of achievements. THE CHICKASAW NATION 35 Years of Progress 1985 1986 A Chickasaw Nation Health Clinic opened its doors The first Chickasaw Nation Nutrition at a temporary location in Ardmore. The facility, Center was dedicated in Ada. open five days a week, was staffed with qualified healthcare professionals to serve the Ardmore area. The Chickasaw Nation began full operation of the Tishomingo Clinic, expanding the tribe’s role in the 1987 direct provision of health care. Bill Anoatubby elected to his first term as Governor The Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program began. of the Chickasaw Nation. The Chickasaw Veterans Program was established to meet the needs of Chickasaw veterans. The tribe breaks ground on a new Ardmore Health Clinic. 35th Anniversary OF THE CONSTITUTION 1990 Governor Anoatubby and other dignitaries gathered in Warr 1988 Acres, Oklahoma to celebrate and honor great Chickasaw The Chickasaw Nation Ardmore Health storyteller Te Ata Thompson Fisher on what was deemed Clinic opened a new facility. “Te Ata Fisher Day.” 1991 “Touso Ishto” Bingo Hall was dedicated in Thackerville, Oklahoma, near the site that would later become WinStar World Casino. Governor Bill Anoatubby re-elected to serve his second term. 1989 The Chickasaw Nation fulfilled a long time goal of regaining ownership of the historical Chickasaw Capitol Building in Tishomingo. THE CHICKASAW NATION 35 Years of Progress 1993 1992 The Chickasaw Nation Department of Youth Services established. The Chickasaw Nation’s Annual Meeting relocated to the capital city of Tishomingo. The event was The Chickasaw Honor Guard was established to conduct combined with the Chickasaw Festival and was military honors at funerals and memorial services. The guard also officially added into the tribal code. participates in parades, powwows, ceremonies and various tribal functions. The Chickasaw Nation Dance Troupe was formed to educate, preserve and restore the The inaugural Chickasaw Nation tradition of Chickasaw dance. Senior Citizens Conference was conducted at the Chickasaw Governor Motor Inn in Sulphur. Anoatubby presented a check for the final payment to the Johnston County Commissioners for the Chickasaw Nation Capitol A new multi-purpose education building was building, dedicated in Ada. making the tribe’s reclamation of the historical landmark official. Chickasaw Nation Celebrates Ten Year Anniversary of ratifying the tribal constitution. 35th Anniversary OF THE CONSTITUTION 1994 1995 A farmers market nutrition program The Chickasaw Nation assumed operation of was established to provide participants Carl Albert Indian Health Facility. This made the who qualify for WIC with vouchers Chickasaw Nation the first tribe to compact with for fresh fruits and vegetables. Indian Health Services to assume responsibility for administration of its own health system. Summer youth program established. Governor Bill Anoatubby announced the initiation of an area Upward Bound Program at Murray State College in Tishomingo. The program aims to prepare high school students for college. Child care assistance program established. The Chickasaw Historical Society was established with a mission to promote, preserve and protect Chickasaw Governor Bill Anoatubby culture and family traditions. re-elected to third term. Tribal nutrition services announced a new service Adult learning program established to provide academic offering expectant mothers training on how to make assistance to adults within the Chickasaw Nation who informed choices on breastfeeding. want to complete their High School Equivalency Exam. THE CHICKASAW NATION 35 Years of Progress 1996 Vocational rehabilitation program established. The Chickasaw Nation reached an agreement with Pontotoc County Broadcasting, Inc. to purchase Ada’s KADA radio. Chickasaw Nation Industries, a federally chartered corporation owned by the Chickasaw Nation, was established. CNI is a holding company The ribbon was cut on a with several subsidiaries that operate as Limited new Chickasaw Community Liability Companies that are engaged in multiple Center in Ardmore. The lines of business. community centers provide multi-functional spaces and Chickasaw Nation Child Support Services was amenities for meetings, celebrations established to assist Native American children and other events. in receiving court-ordered child support. 35th Anniversary OF THE CONSTITUTION 1996 A new Chickasaw Nation community center The Chickasaw and Choctaw was dedicated in Sulphur to serve citizens in Nations partnered to provide Murray County. quality healthcare to Native Americans by opening a clinic Sulphur Senior Nutrition Center opened. in Durant. The Choctaw Nation owned the facility while the Chickasaw Nation staffed it with Citizens now have access to a newly established medical professionals. eyeglasses program that provides them with an allowance toward the purchase of new glasses or contacts. The tribe opens a Senior Nutrition and The Chickasaw Nation Community Center in Tishomingo. established a new farmer’s market program to make The Chickasaw Nation dedicated the fresh fruits and vegetables Tishomingo Head Start to provide more accessible to area children with quality early Chickasaw elders. childhood education. THE CHICKASAW NATION 35 Years of Progress 1998 1997 The Chickasaw Nation breaks ground The tribe assumed operational and financial control on and completes Healthy Lifestyles in Ada, a residential substance abuse facility of housing for the Chickasaw Nation. that serves Native American adults. Carl Albert Indian Health The tribe conducts a ribbon cutting on a Chickasaw Nation Facility opens additional Community Center that serves the Achille area. Sulphur Senior Nutrition Center opened. outpatient pharmacy for A clinic designed to provide nutritional education and convenience of patients. facilitate the USDA funded Women, Infants, and Children program is opened in Ada. A grocery store was opened in Ardmore in conjunction with Tribal health systems the Chickasaw Nation Food Distribution Program. Both dedicated a new Family food and nutrition education are available at the facility. Practice Center in Ada to provide comprehensive Tribal Housing Services initiated the Chuka Chukmasi health care for people (“Beautiful Home”) Home Loan Program. The program of all ages. was designed to help citizens realize their dreams of homeownership. Career technology A ceremony was conducted wherein the Chickasaw Nation program established. rededicates the historic Capitol. Following the ceremony, the Chickasaw tribal legislature conducted its first meeting in the building since 1906. 35th Anniversary OF THE CONSTITUTION 2000 1999 Officials from the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations joined for The Chickasaw Nation Health System developed a the opening of the new Durant mail-out pharmacy program to ensure that citizens Indian Health Clinic. living away from the health facilities in Ada can receive their medications with convenience. The Chickasaw Nation purchased Bedré Fine Chocolate. Groundbreakings