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 137,022 Choctaws Worldwide www.choctawnation.com May 2003 Issue Special viewing Don’t forget! Tour brings U.S. Assistant at museum Phase I of the upgrade to the Choctaw Nation Museum at Surgeon General to Talihina Tushka Homma will be open for viewing the afternoon of Dr. Walter A. Orenstein, America’s Assistant Sur- May 17 in conjunction with geon General and the Director of the National Im- Heritage Day at the Capitol munization Program of the Centers of Disease Con- Grounds. New features at the trol and Prevention, recently made a stop at the museum include an elevator to Choctaw Nation as part of his tour during National the second floor, redesigned Infant Immunization Week. Dr. Orenstein visited exhibit space and attractive the Choctaw Nation Health Care Center in Talihina lighting and decor. A few to view the tribe’s immunization program efforts. exhibits will be on hand for Oklahoma and the Los Angeles area were the only May 17 with additional two areas being highlighted by federal public-health artifacts and exhibits being leaders during the National Infant Immunization readied for the completion of Week, yet the message they broadcast is of tremen- Phase II, which will be dous importance all over the world. celebrated during the Labor “There are many things parents want to give their Day Festival. The third and children,” said Orenstein. “But good health is per- final phase of the improve- haps the greatest gift. Vaccination is one of the most ments to the museum will be important ways a parent can protect their child’s ready by Labor Day of 2004. health. Vaccines are one of history’s most success- Please plan to stop by the ful and cost-effective public health tools for pre- museum during Heritage Day venting serious disease and death. Diseases that and experience the beauty of were once commonplace, such as polio, measles, Dr. Walter Orenstein and Chief Gre- the Choctaw Nation’s historic mumps, whooping cough, diphtheria and rubella, gory E. Pyle unveil the newest poster for Capitol Building. are now only distant memories for most Americans. the CDC’s immunization promotions, Today, there are few reminders of the suffering, dis- abilities and premature deaths caused by disease that which says “Protect the Circle of Life, Princess are now preventable with vaccines.” Immunize Our Nations.” Pageants DISTRICT 1 The District 1 Princess Pageant is set for 6 p.m. June 7. Divisions are: Little Miss, ages 8-12; Junior Miss, ages Walk, Heritage Day 13-17; and Senior Miss, ages 18-23. Applications can be picked up at the Idabel Field are set for May 17 Office or by contacting Vicky The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is holding its annual Trail Amos at 580-286-6116. of Tears Commemorative Walk and Heritage Day on Saturday, Deadline for applications is May 17 at Tushka Homma. With the two events combined, it May 23. will be a day packed full of fun and interesting events. DISTRICT 5 The Walk begins at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Hwy. 2 and The District 5 Princess Nanih Waiya Road. After the two-mile trek to the Tribal Capitol Pageant will be held at 6 p.m. grounds, a free lunch of Indian Tacos will be served. June 2 at the Choctaw Com- Cultural events are planned for the afternoon as well as dem- Tribe breaks ground for new Child Development Center munity Center in Stigler. onstrations in basketweaving, beadwork, archery and blowgun. Shovels turned up the dirt on April 28 at the site of a new Choctaw Nation Child Development Center Deadline for applications is Special activities for children ten years old and younger are also at Idabel. The 11,290-sq.-ft. center will be located on the U.S. 70 and U.S. 259 South Bypass, just west May 16. For more information, planned. of the Independent Elderly Living Community. The facility will house a Head Start and Day Care and please call 918-967-2398. will also feature a storm shelter. DISTRICT 7 The District 7 Princess Pageant will be 6 p.m. May 24 PWI is offering Job Readiness Training classes at the Choctaw Nation Choctaw Nation Projects with tion of resume, and job-keeping STIGLER CHOCTAW tive Americans with a Certificate Americans with disabilities Community Center in Wright Industry Program is offering Job characteristics. A certificate of COMMUNITY BUILDING of Degree of Indian Blood which may include diabetes mel- City. Interviews will be held at Readiness Training classes to all achievement will be given to all May 15, 2003 (CDIB). litus, alcohol abuse/dependency, 3 p.m. Deadline for applica- Native Americans at two tribal lo- consumers who complete the Disabled Native Americans orthopedic, mental health, high BROKEN BOW FAMILY tions is May 16. For more cations in the near future. The class. who have a CDIB and are look- blood pressure and many more INVESTMENT CENTER information, please call Susan course is approximately five The PWI Program can assist ing for employment are urged to which are too numerous to men- June 17, 2003 Skelton at 580-981-7011 or hours in length and will begin at many businesses that are look- take advantage of this program. tion. Applicants must reside in Virginia Hammons or Oma 9 a.m., ending at 3:30 p.m. The ing for capable, dependable and The business is encouraged to Individuals found eligible can the 10 1/2 counties of the Choc- Nell Clay at 580-298-5501. training includes, but isn’t limited prescreened employees. If a retain the individual in perma- benefit from several services of- taw Nation. For further informa- DISTRICT 11 to, identifying strengths and business agrees to hire an indi- nent employment at the end of fered such as on-the-job training, tion on services available The District 11 Princess weaknesses as an employee, how vidual through this program, the the training period. Businesses job placement, job searches, through the Projects with Indus- Pageant will be held at 6 p.m. to locate potential job sites, how program will be able to reim- can also take advantage of fed- counseling and guidance, and job try Program, contact Randy May 16 at the Choctaw Nation to complete job applications, job burse for on-the-job training at eral tax credits of up to $4,000 readiness classes. Hammons or Angela Dancer at Community Center in McAl- interviewing techniques, comple- 100% of the employee salary. per employee for employing Na- This program can assist Native 580-326-7758 or 877-285-6893. ester. Deadline for applications is May 14. For more informa- tion, please call Johnnie Kemp Council okays funding at 918-423-1016. for several programs Filing dates The Choctaw Nation Tribal Council met in Regular Session on announced April 12 to authorize funding for several tribal programs, including the Trail of Tears Walk and Heritage Day celebration scheduled for Dates have been announced May 17 at Tushka Homma. for the 2003 Choctaw Nation Modifications of the Upward Bound Math and Science budget and of Oklahoma Tribal Elections. the Vocational Rehabilitation budget were also approved. Dates to file for office will be Submission of grant applications for C.A.R.E.S. and the Tribal May 12, 13 and 14, 2003 from Victim Assistance Program were authorized, and partial funding for 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the the 2003 Native American Jr. Golf Camp was approved. Choctaw Nation Election The next session of the Tribal Council will be May 10. Board Office at 16th and Locust Streets in Durant. Election Day is set for July 12, Inter-Tribal Council meets 2003, with polls open from The Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes met for its 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Run-off quarterly meeting on April 11 in Durant. Three resolutions were in- elections will be held August 2, troduced. With approved amendments, Resolution 2003-01 gives 2003. Council Districts up for Chickasaw Governor Bill Anoatubby and IT Treasurer Terri Haney election are #1, 2, 3, 5, 8 and authorization to conduct any exchanges and transactions on behalf 11. The Office of Chief is also of the Council of its stock certificates and other transactions. up for election. Wheelock plans annual festival Resolution 2003-02 was approved in support of the Rural Elemen- The fourth annual Wheelock Academy Spring pel groups. tary Schools’ efforts to neutralize the State Legilsature’s annual ini- Senior Citizen Festival is scheduled for Sunday, May 25. It be- A new stage is now under construction at tiatives to stop any further attempts by the State Legislature to gins at 11 a.m. with Church Services on the lawn Wheelock and will be completed in time for the consolodate Oklahoma’s rural elementary schools. Day is May 21 with the Rev. Bertram Bobb. festival. Resolution 2003-03 was also approved with amendments. The The Choctaw Nation’s 19th The Opening Ceremony is at 1 p.m. This year’s Wheelock Academy is located east of Council Bill states the Inter-Tribal Council’s opposition of HR 1261 Annual Senior Citizen Day is festivities include a ceremony honoring veter- Millerton, Oklahoma, about a mile north off in its current form. As stated, HR 1261 would prohibit the right of scheduled for Wednesday, May ans, recognition of former Wheelock students, of Hwy 70.