Our Strength Will Sustain Future Generations Chief Pyle’S State of The
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
More Festival photos on Pages 8-12 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 October 2010 Issue Serving 203,193 Choctaws Worldwide Choctaws ... growing with pride, hope and success Our strength will sustain future generations Chief Pyle’s State of the Delton Cox, Speaker Nation address focuses on past and present heroes Cooler temperatures over the weekend brought out huge crowds to enjoy all that the Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festi- val has to offer. A highlight of the festival every year is Chief Gregory E. Pyle’s State of the Nation address as thousands gather on Monday on the Capitol grounds at Tushka Homma. “This year’s Labor Day theme is ‘Heroes of the Past.’ Cer- James Frazier, Secretary tainly Brother Bertram Bobb is one of our past, and current, heroes,” said Chief Pyle of a special presentation made to Trib- al Chaplain Bertram Bobb, recognizing him for a lifetime of achievements. “Many of our past heroes were members of our military and we will always honor their service to our country. “We have a great relationship with the military. The Choctaw Chief Gregory E. Pyle and Assistant Chief Gary Batton present Tribal Chap- Nation provides support to our troops in many ways. We con- lain Bertram Bobb with a Lifetime Achievement Award. tinue to send care packages to our troops stationed overseas, whether they are Indian or non-Indian,” said Chief Pyle. “We will provide a deployment send-off when the Oklahoma Na- Joe Coley, Chaplain tional Guard leaves for Afghanistan in January. “We also provide help with Wounded Warrior flights. This is Chaplain Bertram Bobb receives Council elects where we fly wounded troops to various locations around the country for medical care or to rejoin them with their families. Lifetime Achievement Award 2010-11 officers Recently, on one of these flights, the control tower in Houston Honoring a lifetime of achievement, United States, always sharing the Gospel learned that a wounded warrior was on the flight and asked if Chief Gregory E. Pyle and Assistant and singing hymns in his beautiful, deep The Choctaw Nation they could speak to him. Our pilot, a veteran himself, gave the Chief Gary Batton presented Choctaw voice. Tribal Council elected of- microphone to the soldier and told the controller to go ahead. Nation Chaplain Bertram Bobb with The Bertram Bobb Bible Camp near ficers during its Sept. 11 The controller started talking to him. He thanked the soldier a glittering crystal award while thou- Ringold has a spring retreat and a long regular session. District 4 sands of onlookers showed their appre- summer program for youth each year. The Councilman Delton Cox for his service and wished him a speedy recovery. He then said ciation with thunderous applause at the many people whose lives he has touched was re-elected by accla- that anyone else on that frequency who wanted to say anything mation to serve another could go ahead. One after another, they kept talking. One pi- 2010 Labor Day Festival. The crystal appreciate his tireless work as Director year as Speaker of the lot would get on then another. They continued lining up, all stairsteps on the Lifetime Achievement of the Christian Indian Ministries Inc. of Council. wishing the soldier well and thanking him for his service and Award trophy presented by the Chief Antlers and as a board member on the Na- See OFFICERS sacrifice. We are so proud that the Choctaw Nation is able to were accompanied by a brass plaque tive American Bible Ministries Inc. on Page 13 help in this effort. that reads “Thank you for your Chris- As people leapt to their feet to give “We have to support our neighbors,” Chief Pyle said. “A re- tian Leadership: Psalms 37:23 The Brother Bobb a much-deserved standing Special election cent flood in Arkansas took the lives of 19 people. Several of steps of a good man are ordered by the ovation when presented with his Life- our forestry staff volunteered to go to Arkansas to offer aid. Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” time Achievement Award, Chief Pyle for District 1 “Our Going Green program continues – ‘sustaining our Brother Bobb, at 86 years young, also thanked him for his dedication to The Choctaw Nation people, our traditions, our earth.’ The Choctaw have always is the only person ever to hold the of- the military. “Brother Bobb, as a veteran, will hold a special elec- been protectors of the environment, especially water. This is fice of Choctaw Nation Tribal Chap- has served our country, and he has also tion Oct. 30 to fill the seat extremely important,” Chief Pyle stressed. “You are probably lain. Ordained in 1954, he still stays been instrumental in helping the Choctaw vacated by the death of aware that others are interested in acquiring the water from busy every day with his ministry. His Code Talkers be recognized nationally,” Councilman Hap Ward. Sardis Lake and some have even made a monetary investment column, “Chaplain’s Corner,” in BIS- said Chief Pyle. “Brother Bobb was tre- Four candidates have toward that. By treaty, the tribe’s water has never been given KINIK reaches 77,000 households mendously effective in the halls of Con- filed for the District 1 up. This is still our water, and we will fight for the protection each month and he travels extensive- gress when we were seeking co-sponsors seat – Thomas Rhea Wil- of this natural resource for all of southeastern Oklahoma, even ly, both in Oklahoma and across the See BOBB on Page 13 liston, Jonathan Anthony though it may take years to resolve. “Tony” Ward, Rich- “One of Choctaw Nation’s most successful programs is the ard “Rick” Impson and STAR program,” he informed the audience. “This program, Matilda Wade Paxton. Success Through Academic Recognition, rewards Choctaw students who make good grades or have perfect attendance. Choctaw Nation Through our STAR program, we have seen a significant in- to honor veterans crease in our students’ grades and school attendance. We are happy to announce that this program is now going nationwide. The Choctaw Nation “The Choctaw Nation continues to grow and prosper. Some will honor its veterans of the new construction recently completed includes a new arts with a ceremony on No- and crafts building at Tushka Homma, a new Child Develop- vember 11 at Tushka ment Center in Durant, new Social Services building and Well- Homma. The ceremony ness Center in Hugo, new scoreboards at ballfields here at the will begin at 11 a.m. Staff capitol grounds and a new Red Warrior statue in front of the will be on hand at 10 a.m. capitol building. on the Capitol Grounds Plans for future construction include new community centers near the War Memorial. All Choctaw veterans will and child development centers as well as a new amphitheater at receive a token of grati- Tushka Homma. The new amphitheater will be twice this size. tude. A free meal will fol- “Our tribal vision is ‘to achieve healthy, successful, produc- low the ceremony. tive and self-sufficient lifestyles for a proud nation of Choc- taws.’ This continues to be our goal – to better serve you … u What’s inside the Choctaw people. Our continued economic development will create more jobs, more revenue and ultimately more ser- Notes to the Nation ........... 2 vices for our tribal members. Road projects will improve ac- Chief Gregory E. Pyle, Jr. Miss Choctaw Nation Nikki Amos, Miss Choctaw Na- Columns ........................... 3 cess to health care, schools and jobs. I want all of our families tion Kristie McGuire, Little Miss Choctaw Nation Mahala Battiest and Assistant Nursery News ................... 4 to achieve our vision of healthy, successful and self-sufficient Chief Gary Batton. People You Know ............. 6 Choctaws. Food Distribution ............ 12 “I want to take a moment to recognize our Tribal Council VocRehab Calendar ....... 13 who take their responsibility to the Choctaw people very se- Obituaries ....................... 15 riously,” Chief Pyle said. “They continually look out for the 2010-11 Princesses are crowned Iti Fabvssa ...................... 16 needs of our people and we appreciate their service to the Na- Choctaw Nation royalty reigning for Guire. She attends the University of Cen- tion. We also want to remember one of our Councilmen who 2010-11 are Jr. Miss Nikki Amos of tral Oklahoma with a major in biology. The Mission passed away just last month. Hap Ward was a good friend of Broken Bow, Sr. Miss Kristie McGuire Kristi demonstrated her storytelling skills of the Choctaw mine and a friend to all Choctaws. He loved his people and of Keota and Little Miss Mahala Bat- during the talent portion of the pageant by Nation of Oklahoma spent his time serving him. Although Hap can never be re- tiest of Wright City. The young ladies, relating a story about corn. pictured with Chief Gregory E. Pyle Jr. Miss Nikki Amos is the daughter of T o enhance the lives of all placed in our hearts, a special election will be held Oct. 30 for members through oppor- the District 1 Council position. and Assistant Chief Gary Batton, were Mike and Vicky Amos. She attends school tunities designed to de- “In closing, I want to emphasize that the Choctaw Nation crowned at the Choctaw Nation Prin- at Lukfata Elementary. Nikki shared a velop healthy, successful continues to be strong. As we honor our heroes of the past, cess Pageant held Thursday, Sept. 2, the beautiful song in Choctaw, “Beulah Land,” and productive lifestyles.