BISHINIK PRSRT STD P.O. Drawer 1210 U.S. Postage Paid Durant OK 74702 Durant OK RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Permit #187 THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA Serving 139,101 Choctaws Worldwide www.choctawnation.com September 2003 Issue Future is bright for Choctaw Nation Inauguration highlights festival After taking the oath of office on Labor Day, Chief Gregory E. Pyle stepped to center stage to deliver the 2003 State of the Na- tion Address. Assistant Chief Mike Bailey introduced Chief Pyle as a man who “has a heart for the old as well as the young, making programs available to assist people of all ages.” Assis- tant Chief Bailey also said to the crowd, “You chose to put him back in office without him draw- ing an opponent. This was an historic event, the first time that a Choctaw Chief’s race did not have an opponent.” Chief Pyle spoke somberly of Chief Gregory E. Pyle repeats the oath of office to the actions of Native Americans Beginning new terms are Councilpersons Bob Pate, Perry Thompson, Kenny Chief Justice James Wolfe. during war times. “The United Bryant, Mike Amos, Harrington “Hap” Ward and Charlotte Jackson. States as a powerful country has tremendous responsibility The care packages contained businesses. These businesses want the very best for the stu- throughout the world. Many of snacks, socks, gloves, lotions, support the Labor Day Festival, dents. This year, the first and sec- Choctaw royalty our Choctaw men and women wet wipes, eye drops and many the language program, education ond grades are being taught on have volunteered in the military. other things that are taken for program and many other services campus. In six years, all 12 This century, Choctaws have vol- granted in the United States. A that are not available through fed- grades will be taught at Jones unteered in World War I, World great number of these soldiers eral grants.” Tribal businesses Academy. This is important to the War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf mailed cards and letters to the include travel plazas located children. They must have the and now Iraq. In fact, the Native tribe to say thank you for the across the ten and one-half coun- right tools for learning and the Americans have a higher ratio per gifts, imparting a deep gratitude ties. Three new ones opened in right support for their education. capita of volunteer participation for remembering them while they the past 12 months at Stringtown, I appreciate the Tribal Council for than any other race of people. are on active duty. Atoka and Poteau. When the approving the funding of the on- “A young Choctaw man, Jarod Each year, the Choctaw Nation renovated store at Heavener campus classes.” Dennis of Antlers, was killed in has a Veterans Day Ceremony on opens, the tribe will have 14 Chief Pyle told of the cultural action this past April while serv- November 11th that pays tribute travel plazas. Gaming, CMSE, importance of sharing the Choc- ing in Afghanistan in the War in to all who have served. Approxi- CMDC and Choctaw Archiving taw language. “Many of our Iraq. I ask that we pause for a mately 1,500 veterans attended are other tribal businesses. mothers, fathers and grandpar- moment of silence to show honor the ceremony last year. Chief Health services have always ents went to boarding schools and and respect to this brave soldier.” Pyle asked that all veterans who been a priority for Chief Pyle. He were severely punished for Chief Pyle told everyone of the were in the audience at the La- announced that two new clinics speaking anything other than Choctaw Care Program that was bor Day event to stand and be were planned – one in Stigler and English. Now, we have language initiated in March. “We asked recognized. one in Idabel. “The clinic in Ida- classes that are totally funded by people who had friends and rela- The economic improvement of bel will be about four times the the Choctaw Nation. Classes are tives over in Iraq and surrounding the Choctaw Nation was high- size of the other clinics and may on the Internet, in 42 live class- support areas to give us names and lighted in Chief Pyle’s speech. have as many as 80 on staff,” said rooms in areas across the United addresses. The Choctaw Nation, “In 1971, 100% of the services Chief Pyle. States and in schools, colleges with the aid and assistance of many were funded from the federal “Jones Academy is one ex- and universities as accredited donations, sent these soldiers items government. Today, the Choctaw ample of how the tribe is pro- courses.” they needed but could not obtain Nation’s total budgets are 80% gressing with education pro- “We have a great and bright fu- while in the field.” funded by revenues from tribal grams,” said Chief Pyle. “We ture ahead of us,” said the Chief. Tribal Council certifies Choctaw language teachers The 2003-04 Choctaw Nation Princesses were crowned Satur- day, August 30 during the annual Labor Day Festival. During the August Regular Beginning their reign are Morgan Steve of Durant as Little Miss Session of the Choctaw Tribal Choctaw Nation; Dayla Amos of Broken Bow as Jr. Miss Choc- Council, Language Teacher Cer- taw Nation and Nicole Billy of Broken Bow as Sr. Miss Choctaw tificates were presented to Etta Nation. Johnson of Ardmore, Deloris Samuels of Bethel and Ruth See Page 9 for photos of the contestants Hancock of Ada. These teachers are now approved to con- duct classes in the Choctaw lan- guage. Reunion planned for Jones Budget allocations, modifi- cations and grant applications Male Academy alumni were approved for many tribal programs, including Indian The Jones Academy “All Boys School” Reunion will be Satur- Child Welfare, Family Preser- day, October 18 on the campus of Jones Academy. All Jones boys vation, Upward Bound, Voca- who attended the school through the year 1954 are encouraged to tional Rehabilitation, Food attend the reunion. Distribution, WIC, LIHEAP Registration is at 10 a.m. Activities are planned for the entire day, and EDH. closing with the school’s annual gospel singing that night. Approval was given to fund For more information, please call Jimmy Bruner at 580-298-3136; the next year’s Higher Education Ted LeFlore at 580-889-7989; Tully Choate at 918-455-7255 or Tom Council Speaker Kenny Bryant, Councilman Mike Amos, Deloris Samuels, Etta Scholarships with $4 million Williston at 580-286-3585. Johnson, Councilman Ted Dosh, Ruth Hancock, Councilman James Frazier, and from the gaming funds and mo- Richard Adams of the Choctaw Language Department. tor fuel tax funds. Homebuyer Education Interest rates Workshops are scheduled Book signing set Do you dream of owning your own home? The Choctaw Nation are lower Home Finance Department offers a variety of programs to help you The Southeastern Oklahoma become a homeowner. for “The Choctaw Ordering Indian Credit Association offers Free workshops and homebuyer counseling services provide the information small business, home, home im- information you will need to help you become a homeowner. These on Page 8 provement and agriculture loans. services are available to any Native American – at all income levels. of Oklahoma” The current interest rate is Issues covered include budgeting, insurance, realtors, lending pro- 7%. cess and credit issues. Chief Gregory E. Pyle invites everyone to celebrate the debut of “The Choctaw of To be eligible to apply, a per- Classes will be held in the following locations: Oklahoma,” an historic account of the Choctaw Nation. son must reside within the ten Sept. 15 Oklahoma City Oct. 2 McAlester A book signing with author Dr. Jim Milligan is planned for 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, and one-half county service area Sept. 23 Poteau Oct. 7 Durant October 2, at the Choctaw Inn, Hwy. 75 South in Durant. of the Choctaw Nation of Okla- Sept. 25 Coalgate Oct. 9 Antlers The Choctaw Nation and Dr. Milligan have spent four years compiling the information homa and must possess a Certifi- Sept. 30 Stigler for the commissioned and copyrighted history book. “The Choctaw of Oklahoma” is full cate of Degree of Indian Blood The Choctaw Nation Housing Authority has two locations that build of information, portraying the sturggles and victories of the Choctaw people. Dr. Milligan (CDIB) from a federally recog- modular homes. Please attend one of the Homebuyer’s classes to covers many centuries of Choctaw history by bringing us to the present and stating goals nized tribe. find out if you are eligible to purchase a new modular home. For more information, contact for the future. To register for a class or get more information, please call Nancy Susan Edwards at 580-924-8280 Kirby at the Choctaw Housing Authority, 1-800-235-3087 ext. 301. or toll-free 1-800-522-6170. September 2003, BISHINIK, Page 2 Family extends Hospital provides excellent care Letters Dear Chief Pyle and Assistant Chief Bailey, heartfelt gratitude We recently had our second child at the Choctaw Nation hospital Dear Chief Pyle and Choctaw Nation, (obstetric department) in Talihina, Oklahoma. The experience we Derek Jones was diagnosed with kid- encountered was second to none. The wonderful staff of reception- Family and Tribe’s support ney failure on December 18, 2002. The ists, nurses, doctors and pediatricians all provided excellent service family was told that it may take up to two and care. The facility is kept clean and presentable and our stay was motivates student to succeed years before a donor would be found.