Tribe Observes Nanih Waiya
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
VOL. XLVI, NO. 6 CHOCTAW, MISSISSIPPI 39350 JULY/AUGUST 2016 Members of the Mis- the restoration of the people have visited to habitants of this land,” Tribe sissippi Band of Choc- mound and cave sites honor and pay respect said Anderson. taw Indians and guests back to the Tribe. to our ancestors for our Observes gathered on the grounds The ceremony, origi- legacy as the original in- .......see MOUND, pg. 5 of the Nanih Waiya nally slated for Friday, Nanih mound in Winston Aug. 12, was resched- County on Friday, Au- uled due to inclement Waiya Day gust 19 to commemorate weather. Tribal Chief Phyliss J. Anderson welcomed all those in attendance to honor Choctaw heritage and celebrate the legacy of the mother mound, Nanih Waiya, which means “leaning hill” in Choctaw. Pictured above, from left, are Choctaw Tribal Coun- “For many centuries, cil members Troy Chickaway (Conehatta), Sharon the Nanih Waiya mound Johnson (Red Water), Joseph Wesley (Crystal Ridge), has been a cherished Chief Phyliss J. Anderson, Choctaw Indian Princess symbol of our tribe. Gen- Breanna Isaac, & Ronnie Henry, Sr. (Bogue Chitto). erations of our Choctaw BELOW, Choctaw social dances were performed on Sockey Sworn-In As Councilman the grounds of Nanih Waiya. Richard Sockey was officially sworn-in as Standing Pine representative to the Choctaw Tribal Council during a regular call meeting on Tuesday, July 12 at the Golden Moon VIP Room in Choctaw. Sock- ey won a special election on June 7 to fulfill the unexpired term of the late councilman Harrison Ben who passed away on April 9, 2016. Sockey, pictured left, was administered the oath of office by Secretary-Treasurer Stella York Willis. The term expires in 2019. New Princess, Stickball Champions Crowned left. CENTER, Oka Homma Ohoyo (yellow jerseys) won their LEFT, Breanna Isaac, the 18-year-old daughter of Rebecca Steve first World Series Stickball (WSS) women’s championship with a of the Pearl River Community & the late Bert Isaac, was crowned 4-2 win over Bok Cito Ohoyo on Friday, July 15. Ashley Tangle the 2016-2017 Choctaw Indian Princess during opening night of was named MVP. RIGHT, Pearl River (navy blue jerseys) claimed the 67th Annual Choctaw Indian Fair on Wednesday, July 13. She their first men’s championship since 1977 and fourth overall with was sponsored by the Jackson & Mattie Isaac Family. Breanna an exciting 2-1 victory over Koni Hata on Saturday, July 16. Jak was crowned by 2015-2016 Princess Emily Shoemake, pictured Logan was named MVP. PAGE 2 CHOCTAW COMMUNITY NEWS Halito! our elders and children ternational Slam Dunk As we approach the who are most vulnerable Champion and member end of another busy to the heat. of the Choctaw Nation summer, I am very hap- of Oklahoma. py to look back on these 67th Annual I also had the great last few months at some Choctaw Indian Fair honor of welcoming of the great memories many of our special that were made. On July 13-16, 2016, guests and dignitaries to We celebrated many we celebrated our 67th the stage during opening occasions this summer, Annual Choctaw Indian and closing ceremonies. including the 67th An- Fair. There were a vari- Many of our winners Tribal Chief Phyliss J. Anderson attaches colorful nual Choctaw Indian ety of activities sched- of various fair competi- ribbons representing the eight Choctaw communities Fair, the Nanih Waiya uled throughout the day tions were recognized at to the memorial wreath which was then placed at the All-Star stickball game and into the night. As the stage including our base of the mound. and Nanih Waiya Day usual, our fair included stickball winners Koni Ceremony at the Mound. carnival rides, tribal arts Hata in the 35 & Over Every year it seems Shoemake for Fichik And as I write this letter, and crafts, professional Division, Oka Homma like our fair gets bigger Cito, Randy Jimmie for we have recently start- entertainment, tradition- in the Women’s Divi- and better. These suc- Fichik Malata, Brac- ed a new school year at al food, stickball, and sion, Koni Hata Himitah cesses are only possible ey Bell for Fichik Cito Choctaw Tribal Schools. social dancing. in the Tulli Okchi Divi- through the combined Ohoyo and Carl Hick- As we prepare for the Fairgoers also enjoyed sion, and Pearl River in efforts of many of our man for Fichik Malata fall, it’s important to re- some of our newer fair the Pushmataha Divi- tribal employees. I want Ohoyo. member that we are still additions, such as the sion. Later in the night to thank everyone who Celebrating the win experiencing some very Iron Warrior competi- we presented the trophy served on our Choctaw in the Women’s Divi- hot temperatures. While tions, Shawi’s Discov- to our Men’s Stickball Indian Fair Commit- sion was Fichik Malata we enjoy the waning ery Zone, the Scales, Division winner, Pearl tee. I know many long Ohoyo and receiving the months of summer, Tails and Teeth Gator River. hours were put into the Women’s MVP award please be mindful to show and the Rez Run. At the stage, we also planning and implemen- was Nashima Thomp- keep hydrated and cool. New to this year’s fair recognized our 2016- tation of this year’s fair son. In the Men’s Divi- Take precautions and be was a special appearance 2017 Choctaw Indian and I appreciate each of sion, Fichik Cito came especially watchful of from Kenny Dobbs, In- Princess Breanna Layne you. out on top with Keant- Isaac; Community ray Thomas receiving Booth Winner Standing Nanih Waiya Stickball the Men’s MVP trophy. CHOCTAW COMMUNITY NEWS Pine; Rez Run Winners and Celebration at the Congratulations to all Joseph Chebet, Meghan Mound our winners and thank The Choctaw Community News is available at no charge upon request. Donations to help cover the cost of Franks, Dustin Met- you to our organizers for printing, mailing are welcomed. Correspondence should tler, and Ashley Moy- On Tuesday, August their continued support be addressed to: er; Got Gospel Singing 9th, 2016, we enjoyed and work on this suc- COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM Challenge Winner Ca- the 4th Annual Nanih cessful event. P.O. BOX 6010 leb Willis, Scavenger Waiya Stickball game at On August 19th, we CHOCTAW, MS 39350 TELEPHONE: 601-663-7736 FAX: 601-650-1565 Hunt Winner Callie Warrior Stadium. Some also celebrated the cer- Amos, and Iron War- of our best men’s and emony at the Nanih Brian C. Willis ........................... Communications Manager rior Winners Dalton women’s players were Waiya Mound. We had Kathie Henry .................................. Communications Writer Clegg (Men’s Division) selected for the teams a great gathering of trib- Taryn Carey .................................... Communications Writer Darron Tubby ................................. Communications Writer and Miranda Stamper and battled for the brag- al members and friends (Women’s Division). ging rights of All-Star at our Mother Mound Items of interest to the local and Native American Congratulations again to Champion. for the ceremony to pay community are welcomed. Letters to the editor should be signed; we reserve the right to edit material. this great group of win- Coaching the teams ners! this year were: Greg ...continued next page CHOCTAW COMMUNITY NEWS PAGE 3 respect and honor our policies and procedures We continue to see our unique Choctaw heri- and to refocus with classes becoming more tage. some great team build- adaptive to the current Lawsuit Filed By The program featured ing and communication workforce as we prepare remarks, placement of exercises. our tribal youth for high- Chief Anderson an honor wreath and I believe our meetings er education and careers. (CHOCTAW, Miss.) – On June 27, 2016, ribbons, Choctaw social have been successful We are very fortunate to Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI) dancing, and a beauti- thus far and I look for- have a great school ad- Chief Phyliss J. Anderson filed a lawsuit in ful song presented by ward to the new Fiscal ministrative team and Choctaw Tribal Court on behalf of the Office of Ms. Deidre Tubby. After Year that starts October dedicated teachers and the Chief and on behalf of the Chief of Staff and the ceremony an Indian 1, 2016. Our programs staff. three Division Directors of MBCI against the taco lunch was served have presented well-or- I wish all our stu- MBCI Tribal Council regarding amendments to while guests enjoyed the ganized and thoughtful dents, teachers, staff, the Tribe’s Administrative Personnel Policies & sounds of the Southern budgets and goals for administrators, parents Procedures (the “Policies”) adopted by a major- Pine Drum group. the upcoming year that and guardians well as ity (9 members) of the council at a regular meet- Overall it was a great will better serve our new curriculum is being ing on April 12, 2016. day of gathering with growing tribal member taught and learned in The lawsuit alleges that certain amendments our tribal members population. our schools and homes. to the Policies are in violation of the MBCI and neighbors to mark As we close out FY16, Constitution and that an injunction should be the significance of the I believe we have seen Closing issued by the court against enforcement of the mound in our Choctaw a very productive year challenged amendments to the Policies. journey. Again, I offer with several great proj- In closing, I want to “I was elected by the Choctaw People to lead my thanks to our Tribal ects being completed encourage each of you this Tribe as the Tribal Chief, and I take those Maintenance and Nat- such as new and im- to continue praying for responsibilities seriously,” said Chief Ander- ural Resources depart- proved facilities across each other, our tribal son.