Red Continuing publication Honoring Earth of recorded interviews of Choctaw Festival Choctaw elders from 2007 veterans Page 13 This month – Ward Morrison Pages 14-15 Page 13 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 July 2011 Issue Serving 207,346 Choctaws Worldwide Choctaws ... growing with pride, hope and success Choctaw Days festival draws record crowds to Smithsonian The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma partnered with the zx Choctaw Days pull-out Smithsonian National Mu- photo section on Pages 9-12 seum of the American Indian to hold the first-ever Choc- taw Days in Washington, D.C. The four-day event in June brought in thousands of visitors, many of them tribal members who were happy to be a part of the historical Photo provided event. JANIE DILLARD Each day of the festival featured traditional dancing, music, singing, food, art and Dillard named ‘Great demonstrations. Woman of Gaming’ “It was a great opportunity to share our heritage,” said Janie Dillard, executive direc- Chief Gregory E. Pyle. “Trib- tor of gaming for the Choctaw al members traveled from as Nation, has been honored as one far as California to be a part of this year’s “Great Women in of Choctaw Days. Our tribal Gaming.” Hosted by Casino En- history and culture have been terprise Management magazine, shared with people from all Choctaw Nation: LISA REED the leading gaming industry trade across the United States and Chief Pyle and Assistant Chief Batton, both in red shirts, are joined by presenters and visitors in a snake dance on publication and training event dozens of other countries.” the opening day of the festival in front of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. producer, and the “Official Pub- lication” of the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufactur- ers (AGEM), the annual awards Paving traction for the tread: Choctaw Nation Transportation program honors female gaming By BRET MOSS miles upon miles of roads within the economy and provide jobs. divided among the districts to make executives for outstanding profes- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma boundaries of the Choctaw Nation A notable stretch of road for which sure everyone gets the benefits of the sionalism, perseverance, drive, for some years now. the Transportation Department had Transportation Department. As of this commitment and mentorship. Traveling through the state of In the words of Blankenship, “We a hand was Highway 144. We part- date, some counties have received “On behalf of the entire Choc- Oklahoma, the grandest sights and oversee building of all the roads nered with the state and constructed over 20 miles of road, with other taw Nation of Oklahoma, we are best scenes cannot be spotted from within the Choctaw Nation.” The a road from Bethel to Honobia in a counties waiting to receive an equal proud to have Janie named as one the likes of the interstate; they are department is funded by federal five-year project to help the Bethel amount or more in the near future. of the Great Women of Gaming,” only accessible via the side streets dollars from the Federal Highway residents and residents in this area Blankenship describes the process said Chief Gregory E. Pyle. “Hav- and rural roads. Administration and the BIA. They from having to take another lengthy as a long one, taking about three or ing been employed with Choctaw These streets are essential, not partner with the state and county as route to reach the Choctaw Nation four years. “It’s not something you Casinos for more than 20 years – only for great views and explora- much as possible on all of the road hospital in Talihina. can get done in a year,” said Blanken- starting out as a bingo clerk and tion, but for the transportation needs projects, to get the most miles built Though the Transportation De- ship as he described the intricate pro- advancing to her current position of the inhabitants of the rural com- in the most efficient way. partment’s main goal is to serve cess. The first step to getting a road on of executive director – it is an munities. They are used on a daily Currently, there are three proj- the Choctaw people, they make it the agenda is contacting the Council- honor for me personally to see basis for the necessity of the popu- ects that were funded by Federal a point to partner with the state, as person who oversees their district; the Janie recognized by the national lation, from the daily commute to Stimulus money. The Council in the situation with 144, because Councilperson decides whether the gaming community for her pro- emergency trips to hospitals. House North road at the capitol of with a combined interest in the proj- proposed road is both necessary and fessional excellence and uncondi- Within the Choctaw Nation of the Choctaw Nation, Bentley Road ect, more money can be allocated to financially feasible. tional loyalty to our tribe and our Oklahoma, the Transportation De- in Atoka County and the streets of it, resulting in more miles of roads If the Councilperson feels it is nec- casinos.” partment is charged with improving Wilburton. These are special monies with a reduced construction time. essary it is brought to the Council, “All of these women have much the roads used by members of the appropriated to the Transportation Over the past three years, 96 miles who will then take the request to the to be proud of, and Casino Enter- Choctaw Nation. Led by Executive Department over and above the nor- of road have been built in the Choc- Transportation Department. From prise Management is extremely Director Wayne Wylie and Director mal appropriation. These stimulus taw Nation, along with numerous here, it will be analyzed to find all the honored to award them this recog- Bill Blankenship, the Transportation funds were made available by the other projects such as parking lots specifics on what it will take to create nition and share their stories with Department has been responsible for Obama administration to boost the and walking tracks. The miles are See ROADS Page 5 our audience,” said Peter Mead, publisher of Casino Enterprise Management magazine. An in-depth article featuring profiles of this year’s 11 award winners will be featured in the August 2011 issue of Casino En- terprise Management. The win- ners will also receive a presti- gious crystal Great Women of Gaming Award and the chance to be featured in a CEM Audio Edge podcast. For more information about the Great Women of Gam- ing Awards, visit www.greatwom- enofgaming.com. u What’s inside Notes to the Nation ........................ 2 Columns ........................................ 3 Nursery News ................................ 4 Food Distribution ........................... 4 People You Know .......................... 6 Education .................................... 7-8 Choctaw Nation: BRET MOSS Obituaries ............................... 17-19 Iti Fabvssa ................................... 20 Choctaw Nation Adult Education Program holds GED graduation The Choctaw Nation Adult Education Program held a graduation ceremo- flore, Megan Long, Dakota Mantaghi, Jerrica Martin, Jennifer Massey, Kel- The Mission ny for its GED recipients on June 10 at Eastern Oklahoma State University ly McCoy, Jodie McKinney, Cynthia McReynolds, Derek Meaders, Gloria of the Choctaw in Wilburton. Melton, Shenia Mick, Keyrene Moffitt, David Montes, Michael Montgom- Pictured in no particular order is the proud graduating class of students, ery, Sherry Ann Montgomery, Jessica Mulligan, Cheyenne Murray, Jeri My- Nation of Oklahoma Levi Adair, Ellen Amos, Misty Armstrong, Jaron Baker, Floyd Ball, Terry ers, Derek Myers, Emily Myers, Elizabeth Nicholls, Tony Pelayo, Colton To enhance the lives of Barkhiemer, Terry Battiest, Shannon Bays, Autumn Beagles, Shavonne Bea- Pickens, Caleigh Poole, Megan Powless, Jerald Renteria, Jill Robinson, Kay- all members through oppor- gles, Robert Beesler, Matthew Billy, Shania Billy, David Boggs, Jim Bowen, leena Routh, Kori Royal, Della Sam, Christine Simpson, Amy Smallwood, tunities designed to develop Shepanie Brewer, Allana Brown, Julya Buckner, Dakota Callahan, Jordan Heather Steer, Tracy Strain II, Jason Sulser, Ashley Thielen, Gary Thomas, healthy, successful and pro- Carneyt, Ryan Carpenter, Anthony Chavira, Thomas Christy Jr., Matthew Dalton Thomas, Josephine Tiger, Justin Tisho, Sarah Trevino, Tessa Tucker, ductive lifestyles. Churchwell, Christopher Cleckler, Stacy Colbert, Cody Cook, Kike Cook, Jo Eva Underwood, Donna Valdez, Natasha Warden, Sierra Watson, Trev- Amanda Crews, Cory Cross, Jericah Deramus, Tuesday Dickens, Acea Du- or White, Kaitlynn Whitson, Ashton Williams, Kimberly Williams, Jeanita ran, Carla Enriquez, Emerald Finley, Joseph Ford, Caitlyn Franklin, Leslie Wilmoth, Klent Wolf and Jeri Wolfenbarger. The BISKINIK Gibson, Tiffany Gilmore, Shyla Gullick, LeeAnn Harjo, Otho Head, James Teaching the courses were Vicky Alford, Martha Childs and Charles is printed on Hendrix, Dylan Henson, Brian Hernandez, Miquel Hernandez, Douglas Hil- Thompson, with Charles Clark as the GED examiner. The Adult Education recycled paper. burn, Maekayla Holloway, Lona Howard, Paul Inacio Jr., Athina Jefferson, staff includes Joy Culbreath, executive education director, Neal Hawkins, Jacob Jones, Tracy Jordan, Natasha Lawrence, Joseph Lawrence, Lisa Le- adult education director, and Kathy Springfield, administrative assistant. July 2011, BISKINIK, Page 2 NOTES TO THE NATION Events Mountain Fork Gospel Singing Seeking realtives The Mountain Fork Gospel Singing Convention is held on I am the mother of Caroline J. Hawkin, who passed away the third Saturday of January and July (July 16) at the Choc- March 4, 2011. I am trying to locate her half-sister, Ida Shelton, taw Nation Community Center in Smithville. Morning sing- and brother to tell them, but I don’t have their current con- ing begins at 10 a.m., a potluck meal will be held at noon and tact information. She also has another sister, Nickie Mickle, the afternoon singing will be at 1 p.m.