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 137,921 Choctaws Worldwide www.choctawnation.com July 2003 Issue Enroll now at Jones Book preserves Choctaw history and culture Academy “The Choctaw of Oklahoma” spans over centuries of struggles and challenges of a Jones Academy is accepting applications for people who always come back more resilient the 2003-04 school year. and prosperous than before their misfortune. Openings are available in After three years of writing and a lifetime of love of researching grades 1 through 12. the Chocaw, Dr. James Milligan has completed his historical book, Grades 1 and 2 will be “The Choctaw of Oklahoma.” taught on campus at Because of Chief Gregory E. Pyle, Assistant Chief Mike Bailey, Jones Academy. Students and the twelve Tribal Council members’ vision to preserve our cul- must have a CDIB. For ture and history, this historical account of the Choctaw has become a an application, call toll- reality. free 888-767-2518; The Choctaw Nation is proud of this worthy addition which has access been financed and copyrighted by the Choctaw Nation. Dr. Milligan is the author of seven books along with numerous www.choctwnation.com, articles, journals, and book reviews. He received his doctorate in follow the link to 1975 from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. He is a retired Programs and then to history instructor who has taught at Texas Tech University, Arkansas Education; write to Jones State University, and Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Academy, HCR 74 Box Durant. 102-5, Hartshorne, OK “The Choctaw of Oklahoma” is some 400 pages that represent an 74547, or e-mail integral part of our U.S. history, a history of struggle and survival [email protected]. among a culture that has emerged into a thriving and resourceful people. Final children’s book at publishers Homebuyer “The Choctaw of Oklahoma” is 17 chapters that present the cul- The fifth and final children’s glish and in Choctaw, a brilliant tural values, customs, and an inner will of the Choctaw to live in book in the wonderful collec- combination for the Choctaw Education spite of disturbing truths of violence and injustice. This book spans tor’s series of five books is now speaker and non-speakers alike. over centuries of struggles and challenges of a people who always at the publishers. “Push and In- If you haven’t started your col- Workshop come back more resilient and prosperous than before their misfor- dian Time” will be back from lection of all five children’s tune. Do you dream of the press and ready for delivery books, now would be a wonder- This book should rest on the shelves of Oklahoma history class- owning your own home? the last week of July. Each book ful time to get all five books. rooms. in the series is written by Mary “Push and Indian Time” can be The Choctaw Nation The price of “The Choctaw of Oklahoma” is $30. To purchase this Home Finance Depart- M. Frye, illustrated by Norma purchased from the Choctaw exciting new book depicting the recreation, customs, religion and Howard and translated by Henry Crafts & Books Store for $20 ment offers a variety of historical account of “The Choctaw of Oklahoma,” call The Choc- J. Willis. Editor-in-Chief is Joy plus shipping. programs to help you taw Book Store at 1-888-932-9199. Please have your credit card ready Culbreath. Place your order now and be become a homeowner. when calling. All pre-ordered books will be shipped on August 1, The series of five children’s ready when the books are deliv- Free workshops and 2003. books is a terrific collection to ered. Contact Choctaw Crafts & homebuyer counseling More information may be found at the Choctaw Nation websites have for years, to pass down Books, P.O. Box 668, Durant, services provide the www.choctawbooks.com and www.choctawnation.com. from generation to generation. OK 74702; 580-931-9144 or Mail orders to Carolyn Cross, Choctaw Book Store, PO Box 668, information you will need Each book tells the story in En- toll-free 1-888-932-9199. Durant, OK 74702. Personal checks are accepted. to help you become a homeowner. These services are Council funds basketball available to any Native American, at all income levels. Issues covered camps in Choctaw Nation include budgeting, insur- The June Choctaw Council meeting featured legislation that is ance, realtors, lending geared toward helping tribal youth. Funding for the Annual Choctaw Nation Basketball Camp was approved so that 320 young Choctaws process and credit issues. can participate. Applications for the camp were sent to all schools Classes will be held in prior to the end of the school year. Two camps will be held, one in the McAlester on July 17. northern area and one in the sourthern area of Choctaw Nation. To register for the class or Funding was appropriated for the Jones Academy Academic Pro- get more information, gram. The program will begin with the first and second grades this please call Nancy Kirby at fall. The budget includes a modular building for classrooms, teacher the Choctaw Housing salary, utilities and supplies. Authority, 1-800-235- Improvements for Phase II of the Tushka Homma museum received 3087, ext. 301. appropriations. The second phase of the project includes display and preservation efforts. General upgrades to the Capitol Grounds were Membership also funded, including electrical improvements and completion of a new facility for Photo IDs. card required The budget was approved for Projects with Industry (PWI), which is a program to create and expand job and career opportunities for for many individuals with disabilities. Other budgets which were approved by the Council included Jones Academy Administration on Aging, educational Caregiver Support Program and the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). The Durant Literacy Council received an allocation to continue benefits the partnership between themselves and the tribe. The Literacy Coun- cil assists Choctaw adults who read below the seventh grade level to School will begin again improve their reading skills to a point where they will feel comfort- soon and many will start Choctaw seals unveiled at dormitory able in enrolling in the Adult Education Program. college in the fall. You The Council also agreed to assist the Durant High School Visions must have your adult Two large Choctaw Nation seals were unveiled at Eastern Oklahoma State College on June 18. The Program to help with their summer program. membership to be seals were placed on the Choctaw Nation American Indian Center, a dormitory housing Native American Farming and grazing leases were approved in Idabel and Wilbur- eligible for many of the Students at EOSC. ton. educational funds. If you are turning 18 in the next few months, please Farmers Market set up in Atoka complete a new Tribal The new Choctaw Nation Membership application Travel Plaza in Atoka now has a and return it to the Tribal Farmers Market next door. The Membership Office with Choctaw Nation constructed a your minor card. large covered awning for local New babies, too, need farmers to set up and sell fruits to have their CDIB and and vegetables. Tribal Membership cards There is no charge for farmers to utilize the facility, and a con- as soon as their state birth venient walkway has been built certificates have been from the travel plaza so that cus- obtained. The Choctaw tomers can walk across from the Nation has several store. There is also a driveway to programs for young the farmers market making it children and they must Youth enjoy Wellness Camp more accessible for farmers to have their own CDIB and The Youth Wellness Camp was held on June 16 and 17 on the drive directly to the awning to membership to qualify Capitol grounds at Tushka Homma. Over 140 youth from around the unload. for the programs. Choctaw Nation were given lessons on first aid, diabetes education “The location is the intersec- and learned how to help prevent tick, snake and spider bites. They For more information tion of Hwy. 69/75 and Hwy. 7, were also able to observe venomous snakes from a short distance so which should be a great spot for or to obtain applications, that in the future the children would be able to identify the dangerous the farmers to sell their goods,” please call the Tribal types of snakes. On Thursday, they were able to look inside a Life said Chief Gregory E. Pyle. “The Membership office in Flight helicopter flown in from McAlester. They were able to ask Choctaw Nation was delighted to Durant, Oklahoma at questions about what happens when a person is taken by helicopter be able to offer this service to the 580-924-8280 or 800- to a hospital. Special thanks is given to Subway of Poteau for donat- Atoka area farmers and consum- Connie Watson of Caney helps her dad, Jim Prewett, 522-6170. ing all of the sandwiches for the second year in a row. ers.” with his stand. July 2003, BISHINIK, Page 2 Letters Enjoyed Bakersfield gathering Dear Editor, Just a note of appreciation for the gathering in Bakersfield this past May. We came from Bellflower hoping the rain would pass, but it didn’t. We still had a joyous time running to our cars and waiting out the storm, laughing and playing games, then going back to the gathering to eat a delicious meal and hear the Chief speak.