2020 CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA YEAR IN REVIEW The Great Seal of the Choctaw Nation was formalized in 1857. The pipe within the seal is traditionally understood as a representation of community alliances. Rising tobacco smoke from the pipe can symbolize prayer connections, and the unstrung bow is a symbol of the Choctaw people’s love of peace but willingness to go to war if attacked. The three arrows honor Choctaw Chiefs Pushmataha, Moshulatubbee and Apukshunnubbee.
2 VISION
LIVING OUT THE CHAHTA SPIRIT OF FAITH, FAMILY AND CULTURE.
MISSION
TO THE CHOCTAW PROUD, OURS IS THE SOVEREIGN NATION OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH AND PROSPERITY.
3 Gary Batton Jack Austin, Jr. Chief Assistant Chief
TRIBAL COUNCIL
Thomas Williston Tony Ward Eddie Bohanan Delton Cox District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4
Ronald Perry Jennifer Woods Jack Austin, Sr. Perry Thompson District 5 District 6 District 7 District 8
James Dry Anthony Dillard Robert Karr James Frazier District 9 District 10 District 11 District 12
4 THE CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA TAKES GREAT PRIDE IN THE GROWTH, STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE OF ITS PEOPLE
Halito,
The Choctaw Nation is a thriving, robust democracy, and an informed population is key to maintaining that democracy. Not only should we all know what we are doing as a people, but we should also know why we are doing it. I have made transparency one of the watchwords of my administration. Accountability is equally important.
In years past, we published a State of the Nation booklet at about the time of the annual Labor Day celebration. Each booklet offered facts at your fingertips, and many of you say you kept them throughout the year for reference. This suggested to me we are doing something right.
We’re building on that success this year. We have expanded the size of the booklet so it includes more information. We’ve also timed its publication so, for the first time, it reports on the full fiscal year. The Choctaw Nation’s fiscal year begins on October 1 and concludes on September 30.
Although you’ll find more facts and figures than before, you’ll also see that they tell a story—the story of a people on the move. This year has been challenging on several levels, but as you’ll see in this newly expanded report, we’ve treated each new development as an opportunity.
I am very proud of my people. You’ve proven to be compassionate, resourceful, determined, and resilient. Those are the themes of this report. The pictures, words, facts and figures you’ll see here tell the story of a truly remarkable people at a milestone in their history.
This year provided affirmation of our tribal sovereignty, and our future is bright. This report will be even more instrumental than ever before in keeping you fully informed and up-to-date as we assume greater roles and responsibilities.
It is my honor to serve and to present to you this annual report.
Yakoke,
Chief Gary Batton Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
5 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Welcome 5
Demographics 7
We are Compassionate 8
We are Resourceful 18
We are Determined 24
We are Resilient 30
Awards 38
6 HASKELL
HUGHES PITTSBURG LATIMER LE FLORE
COAL
PUSHMATAHA ATOKA
MCCURTAIN CHOCTAW BRYAN
NATION DEMOGRAPHICS
THE CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA’S RESERVATION IS LOCATED IN THE SOUTHEASTERN CORNER OF THE STATE.
The Choctaw Nation is the third-largest federally recognized tribe in the United States. Choctaw tribal members are scattered in communities all over the country and even overseas.
TOTAL TRIBAL MEMBERS: 200,847
7 WE ARE COMPASSIONATE
Prior to European contact, Choctaws lived in villages where the responsibilities for maintaining daily life were shared by all who were able to participate. People worked together to grow and gather food, build houses, and care for the sick and elderly. Work was also a social event, with plenty of singing, laughing and joking. The needs of the community were met, and with everyone helping shoulder the burden, there was plenty of time for leisure.
In the late 1700s, U.S. agents urged Choctaws to move out of their villages and build homesteads separate from their neighbors. After removal to Indian Territory, the U.S. government tried to break up Choctaw communities by forcing Choctaws to take land allotments and become individual landowners. Each family was now expected to be self-sufficient.
Although this new approach fundamentally changed the way Choctaws lived and interacted with their neighbors, it did not change their emphasis on service. When a serious need arose, the community would organize an Iyyi Kowa—a day of community service—just as Choctaw ancestors had done for centuries before. Everyone had a job to do, and as they worked, people’s connections to each other and to their community grew stronger. The ultimate goal was to help those in need so they could be empowered to help others.
Today, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma still believes in the spirit of Iyyi Kowa. Many of the services that would have been provided by Iyyi Kowa in the past are now offered through Choctaw Nation programs, such as health, housing and food distribution. Perhaps just as important, however, are all the ways our associates and tribal members go above and beyond their regular duties to help others in need.
CHAHTA SPIRIT IN ACTION
Ford Atterberry is a tribal security officer at the Choctaw Casino and Resort in Durant. When he noticed a malnourished man coming in every day wearing the same clothes and asking to use the phone to contact relatives, he decided to do a little investigating. Atterberry found out the man was homeless and had been living in his truck, which had broken down in the casino’s parking garage. Officer Atterberry was able to connect with the man’s sister in New York, and it turned out the man was reported missing several years ago! After getting him some clean clothes and a hearty meal, Officer Atterberry bought the man a bus ticket to New York, staying in touch with Greyhound Bus Lines the whole way to make sure the man made it to his destination. The man now lives with his sister, has a job and is doing well. He and FORD ATTERBERRY Officer Atterberry stay in touch monthly.
8 BLOOD DRIVES
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma has been a long-time partner of the Oklahoma Blood Institute. They have been hosting blood drives at various locations throughout the reservation since 2004. According to the OBI, each unit of blood donated has the potential to save up to three lives.
This year alone, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma associates have donated over 2,300 units of blood, potentially saving nearly 7,000 lives.
KINDRED SPIRITS
The friendship between the Choctaw Nation and Ireland dates back to 1847, when the potato famine left many Irish people starving. When Choctaws in Indian Territory heard about the struggles in Ireland, their hearts went out the people there. The wounds from the Trail of Tears were still fresh for the Choctaw people at that time. They knew how it felt to go hungry and to lose loved ones in the face of a seemingly insurmountable obstacle. Despite the fact that they were just beginning the process of rebuilding their own nation, Choctaws pitched in what little money they could spare, $170 to be exact, and sent it to a group in New York that was organizing a relief fund. Since then, the bond between the two nations has been unbreakable.
This year, COVID-19 hit the Navajo and Hopi people living on reservations in Utah, Arizona and New Mexico particularly hard. Native American volunteers set up a GoFundMe page to buy food and supplies for Navajo and Hopi families, and the Irish stepped up in a big way. Around 24,000 Irish donors gave roughly $820,000 to the relief fund as a way to pay forward the kind gesture of the Choctaw people all those years ago. While the COVID-19 global pandemic has been devastating, there is at least one positive thing we have learned: kindness can also be contagious.
9 VOLUNTEERS/OUTREACH
As a large part of the Choctaw Nation’s workforce was sent home during the pandemic, several programs continued to provide vital services to tribal members. In order for these operations to continue, there was an urgent need for volunteers to help ensure these services were still available. Places like travel plazas, country markets, community centers, food distribution centers, clinics and the Poteau Prescription Refill Center all remained open with the support of volunteers from several departments within the Choctaw Nation. Volunteers helped with cleaning and stocking at travel plazas and markets. At health facilities, they helped with cleaning and packing prescription orders for patients and associates. Associates helped at food distribution centers by filling food orders for clients and delivering curbside to make sure those in need had plenty of food during the shutdown.
During the pandemic, Food Distribution staff created a drive-thru curbside service for the safety of clients and staff. Staff packaged orders and placed them outside the door for clients to pick up. Additionally, 13 staff volunteers assisted over a three-week period at McAlester, Poteau and Broken Bow distribution centers. The volunteers provided food delivery to tribal elders, either by helping package groceries or delivering food to elders waiting in their cars.
10 CHOCTAW NATION FOOD PANTRY
Walmart donated thousands of pounds of fruits and vegetables to the Choctaw Nation for its tribal members during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 100 staff members volunteered to distribute the donated food to impacted communities within the Choctaw Nation. Regional pickup locations for the distribution were located at Durant, McAlester, Pocola, Grant and Broken Bow casinos.
A TOTAL OF 716 STAFF MEMBERS VOLUNTEERED A TOTAL OF 5497.8 HOURS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC RESPONSE.
11 CHILD CARE
Choctaw Nation Child Development Centers continued to grow this year by providing child care to 320 children and supporting jobs for over 100 staff in seven centers throughout the territory.
This year, Talihina Child Care Center expanded to serve 20 additional children and create 10 additional jobs for a total of 20 staff members. On October 19, a new center in Poteau was opened that serves 60 children and created 20 new jobs for staff. In addition, a groundbreaking was held for a new center in Durant that will create 100 new jobs and serve 270 children.
SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM
The Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority distributed a record 71,000 meals during the Summer Food Program. Each year, the Choctaw Nation participates in the USDA Summer Food Program and the At-Risk After School Program. Despite early setbacks as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, program leaders rallied and found creative ways to get food distributed with the help of partners across the service area. In many cases, families were sent home with a full week’s worth of nutritious breakfasts and lunches.
12 FOOD SERVICE
FOOD DISTRIBUTION
The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) is a jointly-funded program between the USDA and the Choctaw Nation, providing nutritious foods to income-eligible households within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and counties in Arkansas and Texas that border the Choctaw Nation. The program has five markets (Antlers, Broken Bow, Durant, McAlester and Poteau) located strategically across the Choctaw Nation to better serve tribal members.
2,395 7,854 $296,649 AVERAGE OF TOTAL HOUSEHOLDS FAMILY MEMBERS SERVED TOTAL FOOD VALUE PER MONTH SERVED PER MONTH PER MONTH
“Our staff has really stepped up and worked hard to ensure that our participants get the food they need to sustain their families. They understand that many of our tribal members would go hungry if they do not continue to come in and provide the service they do to our tribal members.” – Jerry Tonubbee, Director
SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM
Nutritious meals are provided to Native American elders aged 55 years and older at Choctaw Nation community centers throughout the territory. Each center serves a weekly meal, except for Talihina, which serves five meals per week.
SENIOR MEALS SERVED INSIDE COMMUNITY CENTERS 27,534 BEFORE PANDEMIC
SENIOR MEALS SERVED CURBSIDE PICKUP 51,299 DURING PANDEMIC
SENIOR MEALS DELIVERED TO HOMEBOUND MEMBERS 2,871 BEFORE PANDEMIC
SENIOR MEALS DELIVERED TO HOMEBOUND MEMBERS 7,110 DURING PANDEMIC
AVERAGE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS IN SENIOR PROGRAM 5,056 BEFORE PANDEMIC (OCT 2019-FEB 2020)
AVERAGE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS IN SENIOR PROGRAM 8,344 DURING PANDEMIC (MARCH-SEPT 2020)
13 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Oklahoma is no stranger to emergencies. Being situated in one of the most volatile weather regions in the country means not only being prepared before disaster strikes but also being quick to respond in the wake of an emergency.
The Choctaw Nation Office of Emergency Management (CNOEM) helps our communities be ready for all kinds of hazardous situations. From emergency preparedness education to the deployment of our mobile command center, when disasters occur, the CNOEM does everything it can to take care of our tribal members and our neighbors.
The CNOEM stresses the importance of disaster preparation and response, and one resource is proving to be particularly valuable in those endeavors: drones. Jeff Hansen, Director of CNOEM said, “We have used drones for damage assessments following tornado events and flood events. We have also used the drones for missing person searches and situational awareness on large emergency events.” CNOEM has had drones for over two years; however, the program has grown and is expected to continue growing. Plans are under consideration to train four additional pilots and add a thermal-imaging camera in the next year.
When Hurricane Laura left the Jena Band of Choctaws in Louisiana without power, phone service or internet connection, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma assisted in deploying the Verizon Wireless Command Center to help tribal members who were struggling.
The mobile command center enabled Jena Band tribal members to stay connected to emergency response entities and powered a satellite television for weather updates. The command center also supplied a means for tribal members to charge their cell phones and electronic devices, which helped keep them in contact with family.
14 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT STATISTICS: 130 11,000 WEATHER ALERTS PEOPLE ALERTED
Emergency Management has 14 vehicles that have become familiar sights in communities across southeastern Oklahoma. Mobile Emergency Operations Units (that now include a drone component) are routinely set up at disaster locations within the Choctaw Nation’s boundaries. Teams with life- saving equipment have also been dispatched after hurricanes to Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico. Recovery, planning and hazard mitigation are key directives for Emergency Management.
The CNOEM is a member of the Inter-Tribal Emergency Management Coalition (ITEMC), an organization where tribes across Oklahoma partner with each other to share resources. ITEMC was founded in December 2004 to address hazard preparedness planning in Oklahoma. The Coalition is currently made up of representatives from 22 Oklahoma tribes as well as members from the Southwest Center for Public Health Preparedness, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security and Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.
Some of the most important tasks for ITEMC are implementing, exercising and coordinating preparedness plans and training emergency management agencies in disaster mitigation and response. Normally, ITEMC training events are collaborative, but this year, they were held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
15 UNITED FOR OKLAHOMA
Native American tribes are an integral part of Oklahoma, with roots that are deep and permanent. This year, the Choctaw Nation made critical, positive differences across southeastern Oklahoma.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
In 2018, the Choctaw Nation had a significant economic impact on the state of Oklahoma. The Nation supported thousands of Oklahoma jobs, represented nearly $800 million in wages and benefits and provided nearly $2,000,000 in job recruitment incentives to help grow local economies.
From creating jobs to providing health care and education resources, the Choctaw Nation has made it a priority to take care of Oklahomans. Over the past year, the Choctaw Nation invested more than $163 million in new projects, including community centers, food distribution centers, wellness centers, health care facilities, housing and Choctaw-owned businesses.
CHOCTAW NATION ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA IN 2018
REPRESENTED WAGES $794 Million AND BENEFITS
$2,374,645,710 IN JOB RECRUITMENT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE $1.7 Million INCENTIVES PROVIDED STATE OF OKLAHOMA 16,974 JOBS SUPPORTED
16 GAMING COMPACT
On July 8, 2019, tribal leaders were surprised when Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt published an op-ed in the Tulsa World stating his intention to renegotiate tribal-state gaming compacts before their renewal in January 2020. The gaming industry has become a significant driver of Oklahoma’s economy, employing over55,000 Oklahomans, primarily in rural areas, and paying more than $1.5 billion in exclusivity fees over the past 15 years. In response to the exclusive fee arrangement outlined in the compacts, Oklahoma tribes have invested hundreds of millions of those dollars into education, infrastructure, health care, public safety and tourism to support the betterment of Oklahoma for the benefit of all residents.
On July 28, 2020, it was ruled that the tribes’ gaming compacts with the state automatically renewed for an additional 15-year term beginning on Jan. 1, 2020.
ABOVE AND BEYOND
This year, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma became the first Native American tribal government to be recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a public aircraft operator (PAO).
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma successfully completed the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Pilot Program (UASIPP) and was selected to be a lead participant in the BEYOND project, which focuses on enabling advanced aviation technology rulemaking. The Nation also began the development of a unique aviation and technology test facility near Stringtown, Oklahoma. A recent agreement with Bell Flight opened the door for Bell to test unmanned aircraft systems and larger vehicles like the Bell Nexus, an electric flying taxi, at the facility.
17 WE ARE RESOURCEFUL
Dealing with the U.S. government taught Choctaws the importance of a Western education. In 1819, Choctaws accepted missionaries into their communities so their children could learn English. Later, Choctaws worked with missionaries to turn Choctaw into a written language. They established and funded a boarding school in Kentucky known as Choctaw Academy, which educated a generation of Choctaw leaders who negotiated treaties and represented Choctaws in the halls of Congress and throughout American society.
Once established in their new homelands in what is now Oklahoma, Choctaws reestablished their school system using the annuities paid to the Tribe as a provision of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. By 1836, just a few years after the original removal, there were 11 schools with an enrollment of 228 Choctaw children. In 1842, the Council provided for a comprehensive school system, which included boarding schools, day schools and adult education classes. On the weekends, whole families would camp near the church or schoolhouse to receive instruction on reading, writing and arithmetic. They were also taught to speak English. Many graduates of Choctaw schools went on to earn degrees from some of the most prestigious colleges in the U.S.
By using the resources available to them for the good of Choctaw people and keeping an eye on the future, Choctaw ancestors laid the foundation for our modern success as a nation. Whether we are working on land and water conservation, agricultural practices, education programs or determining how best to use financial resources, we look to the wisdom and experience of our ancestors to preserve tribal culture and protect the Tribe’s interests.
CHAHTA SPIRIT IN ACTION
Hannah Gammon is an Atoka native and the co-chair of the Region VI Youth Preparedness Council (YPC). The YPC is a federal initiative through the Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA. Since the inception of the Council in 2014, federal, state, tribal and local partners have been working to identify the top teenage leaders in Region VI’s respective jurisdictions to lead projects and youth preparedness discussions. Gammon became passionate about helping during times of disaster after she volunteered during a wildfire outbreak in 2014. Her passion for getting teens involved in their communities fueled her drive to start a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program at her school. She went on to partner with Choctaw Nation administration, FEMA and the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security to start a Teen CERT program within the Choctaw Nation. HANNAH GAMMON
18 RECYCLING
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma’s Recycling Program was formed in 2009. In the beginning, the program had a staff of just three people. Today, a total of 15 staff members process recyclable goods at its facilities in Durant and Poteau.
This program not only offers tribal members, associates and local communities the opportunity to reduce waste, but it also provides jobs and protects the environment. The Recycling Program manages approximately 83 drop-off locations throughout Southeastern Oklahoma and North Texas. Choctaw facilities can process recyclables such as aluminum and steel cans, cardboard, paper products, plastic foam and tires. Overall, the Choctaw Nation’s facilities have processed millions of pounds of recyclables since the program was founded.
Throughout the years, the Choctaw Nation Recycling Program has received numerous awards and recognitions. Most recently, thanks to this program, the Choctaw Nation was recognized as an Oklahoma Clean Community by the Department of Environmental Quality and Keep Oklahoma Beautiful.
77,477 TIRES
YEAR 2020
TOTAL POUNDS PROCESSED TOTAL TIRES SINCE OPENING RECYCLED 321,549 26,893,183 AS OF 9/30/20 AS OF 9/30/20
POUNDS PROCESSED IN THE YEAR 2020
DURANT — 2,753,580 POTEAU — 741,982
AVERAGE WEIGHT (POUNDS) PROCESSED IN 12 MONTHS
2015 DURANT — 181,216 2015 POTEAU — 41,817
2020 DURANT — 229,465 2020 POTEAU — 61,832
19 WATER
Stabilizing and enhancing Southeastern Oklahoma as a place to live and do business was key among the projects initiated by the Water Resources team this year. Federal grants enabled the team to assist public water systems at Antlers, Talihina and the Sardis Lake Water Authority improve their water and operations quality. This successful project will expand next year to other towns and water systems and reflects the Nation’s interest in partnering with local governments within its reservation to enhance the quality of life for all residents. Inter-tribal cooperation also moved to the forefront as the team began working with the Chickasaw Nation to compile a water atlas—the first to cover southern and southeastern Oklahoma from a perspective of promoting their tribal values of ecological, cultural, and economic sustainability. In addition, the team continued its activities to monitor the region’s waterways, launching new studies of local lakes and rivers and sampling the water flow and quality of streams across the
Choctaw Nation.
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
As the Choctaw Nation’s government moves forward in exercising expanded sovereignty and serving the communities within its boundaries, maps and other geographical resources are playing an increasingly important role. The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) team uses state-of-the-art equipment and software to help monitor and predict changes in terrain, which is critical in planning construction and agricultural projects as well as aiding the Office of Emergency Management in disaster response. The GIS team also operates several drones capable of identifying the finer details of the landscape that can be difficult to understand from the surface. This year, the GIS team created an online map to help Choctaw Nation authorities determine the potential success of the 2020 U.S. Census through daily updates on response rates for every city and county within the Choctaw Nation. In addition, the team created a map to help track the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic within the Nation’s boundaries as well
as throughout Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas.
20 LAND
From the Choctaw homelands of what are now Mississippi and Alabama, along the corridors of Removal in the 1830’s to Indian Territory, the land is marked with reminders that Choctaw ancestors were here. Choctaw tribal identity is not only embodied in language and traditions but also in historic sites and important contemporary landholdings. Being good stewards of the land is nothing new, and it is not forgotten by the Choctaw people.
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma’s Historic Preservation Department fulfills a sacred duty to the Choctaw people by working to preserve this heritage. This multi-faceted effort involves physically protecting Choctaw historic sites, repatriating and reburying Choctaw ancestors, and educating the public through classes and presentations on Choctaw history and culture. This department also works with a Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) Advisory Board. In 2004, the Choctaw Nation became the second tribe in the state to take over the responsibilities of the Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office. Today, the Historic Preservation Department consults on close to 2,000 federally-funded projects within a nine-state region each year, to ensure that they do not disturb Choctaw ancestral sites. Modern technology has become an integral part of protecting Choctaw land. A global positioning system (GPS) utilizes satellite triangulation to record the historic sites on the landscape accurately.
The Choctaw Nation also owns and operates six Angus cattle and bison ranches on over 36,000 acres in southeastern Oklahoma. These ranches provide food for tribal restaurants and nutrition programs as well as jobs for tribal members.
From managing buffalo herds to operating drones that aid in weather disaster response, forest fire spotting and missing persons, Choctaws remain active in overseeing the land.
21 EDUCATION
Education has been a priority for the Choctaw Nation for centuries. From the foundation of the first schools in Indian Territory to the Nation’s modern-day education programs, tribal members have enjoyed a wide variety of diverse programs designed to meet the needs of Choctaw people at all levels, allowing them to achieve their individual goals. Educational service programs are available to eligible participants beginning in early childhood and continue throughout the highest levels of post-secondary education.
CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HEAD START EARLY HEAD START THROUGH 106 CONTRACTED PROVIDERS THROUGH 13 LOCATIONS THROUGH 4 LOCATIONS
1,058 CHILDREN SERVED 310 CHILDREN SERVED 100 CHILDREN SERVED
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT CHAHTA FOUNDATION HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SERVICES & ADVISORY BOARD AWARDS TOTALING $350,875
4,050 STUDENT PARTICIPANTS 400 STUDENT PARTICIPANTS 262 SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED
HIGHER EDUCATION JOHNSON O’MALLEY EDUCATIONAL TALENT SEARCH AWARDS TOTALING $7,058,423.27
13,409 STUDENTS SERVED 5,216 STUDENTS SERVED 500 STUDENTS SERVED
COLLEGE FRESHMAN YEAR JONES ACADEMY ADULT EDUCATION INITIATIVE (FYI) STUDENTS (GRADES 1-12)
161 STUDENTS SERVED 55 CLIENTS SERVED 151 STUDENTS & 10 GRADUATES
STAR PROGRAM STUDENT SCHOOL AND ACTIVITY FUND AWARDS TOTALING $331,960 AWARDS TOTALING $364,681.04
9,406 STUDENTS AWARDED 3,649 STUDENTS AWARDED
PIPELINE FOR ADVANCED TRAINING HEALTH SCIENCES ACADEMY (PATHS) AWARDS TOTALING $485,000
113 STUDENTS AWARDED
22 FINANCIAL
Choctaw ancestors believed that the health and strength of the community was paramount to the survival of the community. That’s why the vast majority of the money the Choctaw Nation takes in is returned to tribal members through services and programs. The Nation also invests in the sustainability of the Tribe, so it can continue to care for the Choctaw people for generations to come.
In addition, the Choctaw Nation values the partnerships it has formed with businesses and leaders in the communities within the Tribe’s boundaries. Not only has making responsible decisions with tribal funds allowed for the continued support of tribal members through health services, education programs and housing, but the Nation has also been there to lend a hand to small businesses and community infrastructure projects.
INCOME BREAKDOWN
52% 26% 16% 4% 2%
BUSINESS OPERATING INCOME (NET) MEDICARE AND THIRD-PARTY INSURANCE HOUSING
FEDERAL AND STATE GRANTS GENERAL GOVERNMENTAL REVENUE
DISTRIBUTION BREAKDOWN 22% MEMBER SERVICES
CAPITAL PROJECTS 10% 68% INVESTMENT / SUSTAINABILITY
23 WE ARE DETERMINED
In 1959, the U.S. passed legislation that would terminate its nation-to-nation relationship with the Choctaw Nation. At first, it seemed like an overwhelming majority of Choctaws supported this idea and saw it as a means of economic relief because the U.S. refused to pay out annuities and passed laws that gutted Choctaw government, leaving many tribal members impoverished. Community members, however, ultimately opposed this legislation. As the termination was postponed three times throughout the 1960s, Choctaws mobilized to maintain their sovereignty.
The Choctaw anti-termination movement began in 1969 with Charles Brown, a Choctaw man who did not believe terminating the Tribe would lead to greater prosperity for Choctaw people. Brown’s ability to organize and mobilize young Choctaws who also opposed termination led to the eventual formation of OK Choctaws, Inc., whose members used every resource available to garner support for the movement. Simultaneously, Choctaws living in the Tribe’s boundaries organized conventions and circulated petitions against termination. They were so successful that Chief Harry Belvin began to lobby for the repeal of the 1959 legislation. The law was repealed August 24, 1970, one day before the date the tribe was set to be terminated.
The hard work and resolve of Choctaws in the face of tribal termination is a perfect example of our tenacity and spirit. As a result of this movement, the 1970s ushered in a period of tribal nation building that continues today, regardless of obstacles and challenges along the way.
CHAHTA SPIRIT IN ACTION
Amanda Johnson is just one example of Choctaw determination. Her story of success began when she completed the Choctaw Nation’s High School Equivalency Program in 2002. She credits that program, and especially instructor Charles Thompson, with changing the direction of her life. Upon receiving her diploma, Johnson began working on a Bachelor of Science degree at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The first-generation college student faced many challenges, including working and being a single mother. Despite difficulties and delays, however, she graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 2014 and immediately began working on her master’s degree in Native American leadership, which she completed in 2017. Johnson started working for the Choctaw Nation in 2005 as a clerk at the Grant casino. Now, 15 years later, she is the Senior Director of Head Start and Day Care. She oversees 13 Head Start centers, one Chahta preschool, and AMANDA JOHNSON seven childcare centers, serving nearly 650 children.
24 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
John Hobbs, Executive Director of Public Safety for the Choctaw Nation, understands how far-reaching his job can be. “Security at the casino alone brings us into contact with thousands of people who are not tribal members,” Hobbs said. Housed under the Division of Legal and Compliance, Public Safety has significant interaction with people beyond tribal members through its four departments – Security, Police, Probation and Emergency Management. Staff size will soon surpass 500. Public Safety works throughout the Choctaw Nation’s territory. In addition to patrolling all government, commerce, health and community facilities, it secures major public events such as the annual Labor Day Festival.
• Security officers are the largest part of Public Safety, making up some 420 positions. The Security Department is comprised of officers, bike patrol, EMS and dispatch.
• The Choctaw Nation operates the only SWAT team in the region, and our law enforcement teams are often called upon to assist city and county law enforcement as well as the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) with ongoing investigations.
• Police officers and their patrol vehicles may be most visible to the public, but Choctaw Nation Tribal Police also includes investigation, narcotics, a K-9 unit, D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) and SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics). Its nearly 60 members are cross-deputized with the Bureau of Indian Affairs Police, colleges, most county sheriff departments and municipal law enforcement.
• The Supreme Court’s recent ruling in the McGirt v. Oklahoma case poses new jurisdictional challenges for the Choctaw Nation in terms of public safety, but the Tribe is well-prepared to meet those challenges. John Hobbs leads Chief Batton’s Sovereignty for Strong Communities Commission, which was formed to address the needs created by the McGirt decision, including adding more tribal police officers and strengthening our relationships with law enforcement in our communities and at the state level.
• This year, the Nation added mental health professionals to the Department of Public Safety. These counselors are trained in crisis prevention, de-escalation, and trauma response and will be available to assist officers as well as tribal members in high-risk situations.
25 HOUSING
CHOCTAW NATION HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS ASSISTED MORE THAN 6,000 TRIBAL MEMBERS OVER THE PAST YEAR.
With their mission to provide opportunities for growth and prosperity, Choctaw Housing offers 17 different programs and services that aim to assist in fulfilling that mission. Some housing opportunities are available to tribal members nationwide, while others are only available within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation.
TRIBAL HOUSEHOLDS SERVED 6,215 STORM SHELTERS INSTALLED 270 LEAP HOMES COMPLETED INSTALLED (WITHIN TERRITORY) 180 ELDER HOMES 209 INSTALLED (REMAINING OKLAHOMA COUNTIES) 196 274 HOMES CONNECTED THROUGH CONNECT HOME INSTALLED (REMAINING STATES) 20 808 APPLIANCE AND AIR CONDITIONING REQUESTS MET TOTAL INSTALLED 396 286 AFFORDABLE RENTAL UNITS HOME LOANS COMPLETED 281 LAWN CARE VOUCHER BOOKLETS COMPLETED (WITHIN TERRITORY) 57
REPAIRS (WITHIN TERRITORY) 2,675 COMPLETED (REMAINING OKLAHOMA COUNTIES) 25 HOUSE COMPLETED (REMAINING STATES) 19 REPAIRS REPAIRS (REMAINING OKLAHOMA COUNTIES) 11 REPAIRS (TOTAL) 2,687 TOTAL COMPLETED 101
26 TRIBAL GOVERNMENT
Judicial affairs and legal affairs are handled by two separate branches of Choctaw tribal government: the Judicial Branch, overseeing the court system; and the Executive Branch, which handles the tribe’s legal affairs through its Legal Department and General Counsel. Both branches were busy in 2019. The Judicial Center, which houses the Judicial Branch, held its first- ever jury trial in its new facility this year, reflecting a general increase of activity across every element of the court system as the Tribe reclaimed important aspects of its sovereignty in the fields of justice and the law.
Closures prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic did not slow business, as the judicial team pivoted to advanced technology to keep matters moving smoothly. Their use of electronic court filing systems allowed them to be the 2020 recipient of the Tyler Public Sector Excellence Award.
The October legislative session for the Choctaw Nation Tribal Council was a historic one. Based on input from the Choctaw Nation Sovereignty for Strong Communities Commission, new codes designed to strengthen and increase tribal sovereignty were enacted in this session. In addition to jury selection guidelines and the establishment of a Public Defender’s Office, Council also amended the criminal code to allow the Nation to prosecute offenses listed in the federal Major Crimes Act and allow for broader sentencing options when defendants are found guilty in Choctaw Nation District Court.
27 CHOCTAW CULTURAL CENTER
As you pass through the main gate and wind your way through acres of native prairie land toward the Choctaw Cultural Center, you begin to feel a sense of excitement. Then you see him. Tvshka Homma, the Red Warrior, standing sentinel, bow drawn and ready to protect the Choctaw Nation. Excitement turns to pride as you take in the beauty and spirituality of this place.
The Choctaw Cultural Center is a labor of love, spanning almost a decade of research, planning and construction. Every detail, even down to the Kapucha door handles and the unique color and pattern of the bricks, was thoughtfully and intentionally designed to highlight the rich, vibrant culture of the Choctaw people.
28 WELCOME TO OUR WORLD
From the moment guests step through the door, they are immersed • Landscapes that follow the Choctaw people’s in the warm and inviting world of the Choctaw Nation. Every story, journey through time every exhibit and every experience is guided by a tribal member, so • Luksi children’s play area guests learn firsthand what it means to be Choctaw. Opportunities • Auditorium to participate in the culture abound inside and out, including dance and • Classrooms stickball demonstrations at the Living Village, art and food classes and • Champuli Café presentations in the 300-seat auditorium. • Hvshi Gift Shop • Living Village $75 MILLION INVESTMENT • Community Garden • Mound with walking track 101,000 SQ. FT. • Stickball fields
29 WE ARE RESILIENT
The Choctaw people are no strangers to adversity. Our ancestors survived hunger, disease, Removal, the systematic dismantling of their government and attempts to make their culture and traditions disappear. Each time our people have faced a tough situation, our Chahta spirit has triumphed.
In 1918, the Spanish flu pandemic threatened to wipe out the Choctaw people. There were three waves of the virus; the second wave was the deadliest. By early October, over 1,200 cases were reported in Oklahoma, and some historical accounts claim that people were dying so quickly that there were not enough coffins for burial. Entire cities shut down, including hospitals, pharmacies and grocery stores. The state health commissioner also issued an order to close all schools and theaters and cancel all church services and other public gatherings to avoid spreading the disease.
Despite widespread fear of the virus, Choctaw communities did their best to provide the most basic necessities to their families and friends. They gathered warm blankets, food and home remedies for their neighbors who might have been in quarantine for weeks at a time. Later, when government researchers tried to pinpoint what medicine or treatments were most effective against the Spanish flu, they actually found that personally tending to the sick and making sure they had access to necessities was more effective than anything. After the pandemic passed, Choctaws worked together to rebuild their communities.
This story may sound familiar in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has threatened the health and safety of the Choctaw people, much like the Spanish flu threatened our ancestors. Through advancements in health and other vital services, however, we have been able to minimize the effects of the virus. In addition, by joining together to care for one another, we have managed to continue operations at the Choctaw Nation without any gaps in services to tribal members.
CHAHTA SPIRIT IN ACTION
Jason Thomas knows firsthand how it feels to have to start over completely. Challenges and poor decisions in his youth contributed to his later criminal behavior and eventually, incarceration. Thomas knew he had to make some changes. He relied on his faith, his family and the Choctaw Nation for help. His wife was particularly supportive in helping him transition back into society. He was able to get a job at the Choctaw Nation’s recycling center. He began as a sorter, but thanks to a strong work ethic instilled in him by his grandfather, he quickly worked his way into a supervisory position. Thomas has since become an advocate for the Choctaw Nation’s Reintegration Program, which offers guidance and resources to formerly incarcerated tribal members. JASON THOMAS
30 COVID-19/CARES
POTEAU REFILL CENTER
The staff at the Rubin White Refill Center in Poteau had just moved into their new building when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. They hadn’t even had time to get all their equipment installed. In an average month, the Poteau Refill Center staff fills about 80,000 prescriptions for 27,478 CDIB cardholders. In order to keep up that pace in the pandemic, they needed support. Some associates who were temporarily displaced when the casinos closed stepped up to help. Associates from other departments also volunteered their time at Rubin White. Thanks to good planning, the Center did not run out of any high demand items that other health systems have been struggling to find. One thing the center did run short on, however, was hand sanitizer, so the staff started manufacturing it on-site.
Mar. 16, 2020 - The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma decided to temporarily Apr. 17, 2020 - Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority (CNHSA) suspend all Choctaw Casino & Resort operations. This included casinos and opened COVID-19 testing to the general public at its McAlester clinic travel plaza gaming locations, resorts and concert venues. All employees to help individuals and health systems better combat the spread. received pay and benefits during the temporary closure.
Mar. 26, 2020 - Rather than letting perishable food items go to waste, June 1, 2020 - The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma resumed casino Choctaw Casino & Resort – Pocola donated more than $4,800 worth of food operations with increased health and safety measures. This included to local schools in partnership with Keystone Food Services. Food items all Choctaw Casinos & Resorts as well as Casino Too locations in consisted of fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy products. travel plazas.
Apr. 1, 2020 - Dozens of eggs, hundreds of pounds of assorted fruits and vegetables, equaling over $5,000 were donated to the Grayson County JUNE 26, 2020 Shelter by Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant. The perishable food was distributed to shelter clients, helping more than 250 families in the The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma offered local community. $200.8 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief
Apr. 11, 2020 - Walmart partnered with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide thousands of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to be distributed funding. A majority of relief funding went to CDIB cardholders throughout southeastern Oklahoma. Southeastern Ice directly to member support programs. used its trucks to deliver food to areas throughout the Nation’s jurisdiction. Locations included Grant, McAlester, Broken Bow and Pocola casinos.
31 WORKFORCE
EMPLOYEE RETENTION/HIGHLIGHTS
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Choctaw Nation continued essential operations and ensured salaries for associates. No associates were furloughed or laid off at any tribal facility due to the pandemic. Decisions were made knowing there must be a balance between health, safety, the Tribe’s long-term financial sustainability and the economic needs of their tribal members, associates and communities.
During the pandemic, mission critical associates and volunteers reported daily to various locations such as community centers, food distribution centers, health care facilities and Choctaw Country Markets. Without the frontline associates and volunteers, tribal members would not have been able to access vital services. All of these associates performed selflessly to ensure that tribal members were cared for during these difficult times and to make sure tribal members experienced no gaps in services. The Choctaw Nation is very grateful to each and every frontline associate and volunteer for making this possible.
TIMELINE Mar. 16, 2020 - Operations temporarily 9,665 ASSOCIATES EMPLOYED suspended at all Choctaw Casino and Resort locations as a health precaution. Soon after, Total number of associates CNO employed at the time wellness centers, community centers and facilities began to shut down and associates were sent home administrative offices were closed. during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic May 15, 2020 - In alignment with our priorities of health and safety, we implemented enhanced safety protocols and other 1,290 ASSOCIATES 5,202 ASSOCIATES guidelines at CNO operations and facilities. Continued to work Did not work remotely but during pandemic but did remained employed and so remotely were paid for their June 1, 2020 - Phase 2 began – Choctaw time off casino operations reopen for business after being closed for 75 days.
32 RECRUITING/CAREER DEVELOPMENT
CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The Career Development Program creates a pipeline to quality career and technology training as well as career services for 11,046 Choctaws, working to bridge gaps in skills and enhance the lives Participants received assistance of Choctaw tribal members by providing career counseling, tuition this reporting period in the assistance, academic remediation, and employment services. total amount of $5,311,695.
EMPLOYMENT TRAINING SERVICES
Employment Training Services prepares youth and unskilled adults for entry into the labor force and provides job training to economically disadvantaged individuals and others facing serious barriers to employment or who are in special need of such training to obtain productive employment.
Summer Youth ETS students ages 16-21 participated in 1,036 a virtual job shadowing program.
CLASSROOM TRAINING ADULT WORK 124 PARTICIPANTS 248 PARTICIPANTS
33 HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Since 1915, the Choctaw Nation has had a hospital to serve its members. Fast forward 105 years, and the Choctaw Nation Health Care Center in Talihina is a state-of-the-art 145,000-square foot facility consisting of 42 inpatient beds, including 12 labor and delivery, recovery and postpartum suites as well as a 24/7 emergency department.
As a testament to the Nation’s focus on overall health and wellness, the Choctaw Nation also has programs helping with diabetes prevention and wellness, behavioral health and substance abuse. Whether it’s surgery, physical therapy or dental work, the Choctaw Nation goes above and beyond when it comes to its members’ health and wellness.
Continuing its long tradition of caring for members’ health, in Fiscal Year 2020 the Nation is projected to have over one million visits to hospitals and wellness centers, over 962,150 prescriptions provided and over 17,776 tribal and non-tribal patients served at the Employee Health Center.
34 HEALTH SERVICES QUICK REFERENCE
Behavioral Health Community Health Nursing
Choctaw Referred Care Dental Services
Diabetes Wellness Eye Care
Medical Laboratory Services X-ray Services
CT Scanner and MRI Mammography
Ultrasound Pharmacy Services
Inpatient Services Primary Medical Services
Surgical Services Emergency Care
Physical Therapy Hearing Services
Recovery Center (Men’s Residential Program) Chi Hullo Li (Women’s Residential Program)
Women’s Health Care Pediatrics
Respiratory Therapy Stress Training
Geriatric Care Ophthalmology
Podiatry Speech Therapy
Obstetrics/Labor and Delivery *Not all services are available at all locations.
A STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE
The Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority (CNHSA) Talihina Hospital was awarded a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, placing the hospital in the top 8% of the nation’s major health care programs. The rating was based on a patient satisfaction survey called the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) given to all patients during the 2019 calendar year. Of nearly 3,500 hospitals nationwide that participated in the survey, only 266 received the coveted five-star rating.
Opioid dependency is a growing problem in the U.S., but the CNHSA is meeting the challenge head-on. Through a series of prevention measures, including training for teachers and counselors, CNHSA aims to educate young people about the dangers of opioid misuse in order to stop the problem before it becomes one. For those who do become dependent, the Choctaw Nation offers help through residential treatment centers and outpatient counseling for CDIB holders of any tribe. CNHSA also offers free Narcan (Naloxone), which is used to reverse an overdose, medication lock boxes and charcoal deactivation bags. These items are also available to the public.
35 SMALL BUSINESS
Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities, and the Choctaw Nation values the hard work and dedication that goes into making each one successful. Choctaw Small Business Development (CSBD) supports Choctaw entrepreneurs who want to start or expand their businesses within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation. CSBD serves as a single-source entry point for members who seek assistance with a variety of business-related opportunities.
Our Chahtapreneur program rewards the Chahta spirit of our people through programs and services designed to help our tribal members get their businesses up and running as well as manage their day-to-day operations. Planning resources, marketing, bid assistance, registration, help with business taxes and other services are available to eligible clients. While we do not provide direct financing or financial support, many clients are eligible for forgivable start-up loans to get their businesses up and running.
BUSINESS STARTUPS 930 ACTIVE CLIENTS 41 27 BUSINESS EXPANSIONS 199 TOTAL JOBS CREATED 296 464 178 TRAINING EVENTS NEW ACTIVE CLIENTS CHAHTAPRENEURS TRAINING ATTENDEES FY 19-20 IN BUSINESS 742 1297 ONE-ON-ONE COUNSELING HOURS
CHAHTAPRENEUR OF THE YEAR — MICKEY LLOYD BUSINESS: COMMON ROOTS, MCALESTER, OK
36 CASINO EXPANSION
In the summer of 2021, a major expansion effort will add the Sky Tower to Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant. The 19- story high tower will feature 1,000 more luxury hotel rooms, an expanded gaming floor and new amenities such as a new pool, parking garage, retail space, entertainment and dining options, making Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant one of the largest gaming resorts in the world. Once completed, more than 1,000 permanent jobs will be created.
Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant celebrated a “topping-out” ceremony as the final beam was placed on top of the building, representing a milestone in construction for the new Sky Tower and expansion project at the new resort property. Construction of the expansion project is moving rapidly, with millions of dollars already invested in site preparation, concrete and steelwork.
Amid COVID-19 and social-distancing requirements, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma hosted a virtual topping-out event. The virtual celebration included congratulatory videos from partners, including the developer TynanGroup LLC, lead design-build team Tutor Perini Building and JCJ Architecture.
“This is more than a building, it’s a commitment to a brighter future for the Choctaw people and the surrounding communities that we celebrated today. We’re all incredibly proud of the work that has been done by the construction team and excited to continue creating jobs in our communities.” — Chief Gary Batton
37 AWARDS
OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE CHOCTAW NATION, CHIEF BATTON AND ASSOCIATES RECEIVED SEVERAL AWARDS AND HONORS.
The Department of Environmental Quality in partnership with Keep Oklahoma Beautiful (KOB) recognized the Choctaw Nation as an Oklahoma Clean Community, awarding the Choctaw Nation Recycling Center the Level I, Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher Award, the highest-level recognition a community can receive under the Oklahoma Clean Community Program.
Chief Gary Batton was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame’s 93rd class of outstanding Oklahomans. The Oklahoma Hall of Fame honors Oklahomans in their lifetime with the state’s highest honor.
Chief Gary Batton received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Global Citizenship from the Happy World Foundation, which promotes global citizenship. Chief Batton’s work in preserving and strengthening Choctaw language and culture is globally significant and illuminates the way for other peoples and nations, according to both the foundation and the United Nations. Chief Batton was nominated for the award by staff of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, for fostering a greater sense of community between the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the Republic of Ireland. Chief Batton was also named as one of several recipients of the 2019 Global Citizenship Award.
Dr. Nikki EagleRoad presented a quality improvement project completed in the CNHSA Family Medicine Residency Clinic at the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association’s Winter Seminar, a statewide conference for physicians. The project, entitled “Overcoming Barriers to Promote Advance Care Planning Discussions in the Outpatient Setting: Is There a Better Way?,” won first place among 30 submissions.
The Choctaw Nation’s Judicial Branch and Government Tribal Services were selected as two out of 33 winners across 16 states to receive the Tyler Public Sector Excellence Award Recipients of 2020 in recognition of significant commitment to public service and striving for greater efficiency and effectiveness in serving their communities.
Jerri Sisk, a nationally certified pharmacy technician and senior pharmacy technician at the Choctaw Nation Health Care Center in Talihina was the recipient of the Sylvia J. Martin Outstanding Pharmacy Technician Award from the Oklahoma Society of Health System Pharmacists (OSHP) and the Pharmacy Technician of the Year by the Oklahoma City Area Indian Health Service.
38 39 1-800-522-6170
1802 Chukka Hina Dr, Durant, OK 74701 P.O. Box 1210, Durant, OK 74702-1210
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