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Choctaw Continuing publication ‘Beef 4 Heritage Day of recorded interviews of Battle’ activities Choctaw elders from 2007 contribution Page 5 This month – Aline Ward Page 15 Page 8 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 March 2012 Issue Choctaws ... growing with pride, hope and success Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations file motion for partial summary judgment in water suit Attorneys for the Chickasaw and ment will ask Oklahoma Water Resources Board “While the State has said that it Choctaw Nation have filed a mo- the court to rule, has full authority over water rights filed this second action in order to tion for partial summary judgment as a matter of under State and federal law,” said protect Oklahomans in their current in the federal court case filed in Au- law that Okla- Burrage. “We do not think the law water rights, that just isn’t true,” said gust 2011 to protect the tribes’ water homa’s stream supports them, and we believe the Burrage. “The nations’ complaint on rights in their shared treaty territory. adjudication parties ought to focus on the forum file with the court expressly states A motion for summary judgment is statutes do not we’re already in—the only one that that the nations’ claims do not dis- a common tool used in complex liti- satisfy federal has jurisdiction over the appropriate turb existing uses of water pursuant gation to help the parties refine the law standards or issues. Filing a second lawsuit will to valid permits. If those rights are issues for resolution. otherwise reach only delay resolution without an- off the table, then there is no legiti- According to tribal attorneys, this the dispositive swering the appropriate legal ques- mate reason for the state to sue its motion for summary judgment is an federal ques- tions.” own citizens in a stream adjudica- appropriate step at this time which Chickasaw Nation Choctaw Nation tions presented The tribal nations have further tion.” will help clarify the issues and pro- GOV. BILL ANOATUBBY CHIEF GREGORY E. PYLE in the Nations’ indicated that the adjudication is The tribes’ motion seeks a ruling tect the current legal process. lawsuit. unnecessary and unwise since their on two other specific issues the at- Attorneys for the State defendants original jurisdiction over general “In filing their stream adjudi- federal court claims do not disrupt torneys say may expedite resolution filed a motion Feb. 10 requesting stream adjudication. cation, the State defendants are any existing use of water pursuant to of the case. the State Supreme Court to assume The motion for summary judg- working on the assumption that the a valid permit. See WATER Page 9 Tribal Council Cultural experience awaits 2012 meets in regular January session Okla Chahta Gathering visitors The Choctaw Nation Tribal By LISA REED carrying the official flags of each of Council met in regular session Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma the military branches. Feb. 11 at Tushka Homma, wel- This year, staff will be adorned coming several Youth Advisory Choctaws from Oklahoma and in the bright colors of Choctaw Board members and Youth Em- powerment staff to the meeting. California are joining efforts to traditional clothing and will have As members of YAB, the youth provide a cultural experience for a wide array of pottery, basketry, attend a tribal council, city coun- everyone attending the 2012 Okla tools, stickball sticks and balls, art cil and school board meeting ev- Chahta Gathering in Bakersfield. and beaded jewelry on display. The ery year. YAB chapters represent- Participants of the two-day event Choctaw Nation Museum is sup- ed at the meeting included Howe, will have a great opportunity to plying small exhibits and there will Soper, Antlers, McAlester, Pitts- learn many of the traditions of the be information on language classes burg County, McCurtain County, tribe. for all who are interested. Photo provided Battiest, Hugo and Boswell. “The Assistant Chief, Council Author Tim Tingle will be on Diana Ben and Joey Tom collect rivercane to be used for creating A committee report presented members and I are looking for- hand to entertain the audience with Choctaw basketry. by Councilman Tony Messenger ward to sharing the heritage with memorable stories, often accompa- explained that the Youth Advi- sory Board is a program funded our family of Choctaws on the west nying the narratives with his flute 100 percent by the tribe with 402 coast,” said Chief Gregory E. Pyle. or drum. Tingle’s devotion to col- students from the eighth through “There has been a surge in inter- lecting and sharing tribal stories has Choctaw cultural arts exchange 12th grades participating in YAB est in the history and way of life of been a vital contribution to main- in the 10 ½ counties of the Choc- our ancestors. Students are becom- taining not only Choctaw history begins with basketry workshop taw Nation. The program is help- ing teachers, traditions are being but also its language. Members of ing develop leaders of tomorrow passed down and our tribe’s future the California Choctaw Youth As- By RYAN L. SPRING by challenging youth to set goals is brighter than ever.” sociation will bring one of Tingle’s Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and become involved in the com- The Okla Chahta Gathering will stories to life, acting it out as he munity. be May 5-6 on the practice field tells it to the audience. In January, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Institute of Chahta Messenger also discussed con- at Bakersfield College. Opening The Cultural Services depart- Immi (ICI) invited the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma to participate in a cul- cerns about reports of increased tural arts workshop on Choctaw rivercane basketry. Ten students from Cul- bullying among fifth- through ceremonies begin at 9:30 a.m. on ment is scheduling make-and-take eighth-graders. He suggested rais- May 5 with the Choctaw Color sessions for all ages to craft a tradi- tural Services, Social Services and from the community were selected to ing awareness among the senior Guard posting the colors for the tional item to take home with them. attend on behalf of the Choctaw Nation. citizens at the centers by teaching United States and the Choctaw Na- There will also be demonstrations On Jan. 15 the group headed down to Philadelphia, Miss., excited them the signs of bullying so they tion of Oklahoma. All veterans are on making Choctaw beadwork, about the upcoming week. ICI brought together 11 basket weavers from would be able to recognize any invited to join the entry, following baskets and pottery. five Mississippi Choctaw communities to teach the art and the history of changes in their grandchildren’s the Color Guard into the circle and See OKLA CHAHTA Page 15 See BASKETRY Page 5 behavior. Council members approved four items on the agenda, includ- ing: • an application to the U.S. De- partment of Education for Dem- Walk to onstration Grants for the Indian Children Program; • an application for Native honor American Library Grant, and • modification of the 20-Year Long-Range Transportation Plan. our The Choctaw Nation Tribal Council holds its regular session ancestors at 10 a.m. on the second Satur- Chief Gregory E. Pyle, day of each month in the Council Assistant Chief Gary Bat- Chambers at Tushka Homma. ton and the Tribal Council Saturday, would like to invite you to attend the 2012 Trail of u May 19 What’s inside Tears Walk to honor our Columns ............................................. 2 ancestors who made the at 10 a.m. Notes to the Nation .............................3 long journey from Mis- Nursery News ..................................... 4 sissippi over 180 years Tribal Capitol Grounds Food Distribution ................................ 4 ago. Each year the Choc- People You Know ............................... 6 taw Nation holds the walk Education ............................................7 Choctaw Nation: LISA REED draws more and more Tushka Homma Obituaries ....................................16-17 people who want to pay Iti Fabvssa ........................................ 18 zx See Page 15 for T-shirt order form Choctaw Nation holds 20th tribute to the hardships en- The Mission dured by those who came of the Choctaw annual Livestock Show before us. Kody Silas of Tecumseh wins Sr. Showmanship Feb. 5 at the Choctaw This year’s commemorative walk ginning of the walk. Nation of Oklahoma Nation Livestock Show in Durant. This is the 20th year for the annual will be at 10 a.m. on May 19 in A free lunch will be served to all To enhance the lives of all mem- livestock show. Choctaw youth from across the state bring their animals Tushka Homma. who join us on this special day. bers through opportunities designed to the two-day show at either Wilburton or Durant. Please arrive early to park on the to develop healthy, successful and Capitol Grounds. Buses will trans- Artwork: Jane Semple Umsted’s productive lifestyles. zx Livestock Show results and photos on Pages 10-13 port everyone to the site of the be- “Trail of Tears Night Journey” BISKINIK | March 2012 | Page 2 basis after graduation. Youth Outreach was established seven years ago and is to- tally funded by the Choctaw Nation. The program helps young Long-standing tribal traditions Choctaw students find solutions to many of the trials they may face during their adolescent and teen years. It also assists them in setting goals to become successful in life. The Youth Advisory Board was developed for students in the Fromshape the Desk of achievements of today eighth through 12th grades in our 10-1/2 counties.

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