BISKINIKBISKINIK PRESORT STD CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED P.O. Box 1210 AUTO Durant OK 74702 U.S. POSTAGE PAID CHOCTAW NATION The Offi cial Publication of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma July 2015 Issue Tribal Council holds regular session The Choctaw Nation Tribal Council met in regular session June 13 at Tvshka Homma. The fol- lowing council bills were unanimously approved: • Application to Depart- ment of Agriculture for Distance Learning Program • Approve a limited waiver of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma’s sovereign immunity to available insurance coverage. • Authorize the Chief to place property in Photo by Deidre Elrod Bryan County in Trust Status with the United States of America. • Disposal of surplus President Obama pledges to do equipment • Approve adoption of the Choctaw Nation Traffi c Code • Approve adoption of the Choctaw Nation better by our ‘fi rst Americans’ Public Health and President visits Choctaw of America’s fi rst Promise Zones a little over a Gathering and opportunities for young Na- Safety Code year ago. The Promise Zone areas are where the tive boys and girls. The president called out to • Approve the adoption Nation to unveil new federal government teams with local communities 16-year-old Kelsey Janway in the audience. Jan- of the Choctaw Nation and businesses to create economic development way is a member of the Choctaw Youth Council Juror Code program and meet with and to jump-start job creation, expand educa- who represented the Choctaw Nation at the White • Approve the adoption tional opportunities, increase aff ordable housing, House. President Obama made note that her fam- of the Choctaw Nation Choctaw youth and improve public safety. ily could only get phone reception at their home Juvenile Code The ConnectHome initiative will take the Prom- in Heavener if they stood on a certain rock. She • Approve participa- By RONNI PIERCE ise Zone designation even further. laughingly agreed and many of the audience who tion in the U.S. Choctaw Nation ConnectHome will use partnerships to bring were from rural areas were nodding their heads Department of Justice, broadband, technical assistance, and digital in understanding. The president emphasized National Institute of Chief Gary Batton, the Choctaw Nation, and the literacy training to students living in public and that kids like Kelsey have big dreams, that we Justice (NIJ) Vio- city of Durant were host to a historic event on July assisted housing across America, according to the need to invest in those dreams through advanc- lence Against Women 15. Tribal youth and elders were invited to join the White House. ing technology in rural and low-income areas. He (VAIW) National Chief, Council, and community members to hear Chief Batton said, “The ConnectHome initiative said, “When we make those commitments to all of Baseline study. our children, the great thing about it is the bless- For detailed meeting fi rst-hand as President Barack Obama announced is about helping our people who are in poverty- information on these a new initiative that will ensure digital opportuni- stricken areas, to help them gain access to broad- ings are returned back to us—because you end up resolutions and council ties for all Americans. ConnectHome will expand band Internet because so many of our tribal mem- having a workforce that is better educated, which bills, go to http://www. high-speed broadband Internet services to fami- bers do not have access to the world like everyone means suddenly companies want to locate, which choctawnation.com/gov- lies in the Choctaw Nation and 27 other commu- else does. And so in our low-income housing and means businesses start booming, which means ernment/tribal-council- nities across the country. in our elderly living sites that’s what this is going businesses start hiring, which means everybody bills/2015-council-bills/ After taking the stage and shouting out an to be about—to help them get an education and to does better.” The Tribal Council enthusiastic “Halito!” to nearly 1,000 people fi nd employment. This is only the second Native American com- meets at 10 a.m. on the gathered in the Durant High School, the president “The ConnectHome initiative will link our munity President Obama has visited during his second Saturday of each thanked Chief Batton and the other tribal leaders homes to a world beyond southeastern Oklahoma, term in offi ce. In June 2014 the president visited month in the Council for their attendance. and tie our lives to greater opportunities.” the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation in Chambers at Tvshka The president acknowledged the fact that some The president and HUD Secretary Julián Castro North Dakota. And this is only the second time Homma. American communities “have been neglected and announced 27 cities and the Choctaw Nation will a sitting president has visited this community. fallen behind. And as part of that, I said we’re go- participate in ConnectHome. President Theodore Roosevelt passed through ◆ What’s inside ing to do better by our fi rst Americans. The communities were selected through a com- Durant during a whistle stop tour on his way to “Now, we can’t reverse centuries of history— petitive process that took into account local com- San Antonio in 1905. President Obama’s visit Columns .............................2 broken treaties, broken promises. But I did be- mitment to expanding broadband opportunities. last week is the fi rst time a current president has Notes to the Nation .............5 lieve that we could come together as partners and Prior to the event, President Obama and Chief made an offi cial visit to our tribal nation. Health & Nursery News ......6 forge a new path based on trust and respect.” Batton met with a group of Native youth and See more pictures of President Obama’s his- Food Distribution ................6 He spoke of naming the Choctaw Nation as one discussed the recent White House Tribal Youth toric visit on page 4. People You Know ...............7 Obituaries ...........................8 Meet the Artist ...................16 Sports ...............................17 Iti Fabvssa ........................18 ChiefBy RONNI PIERCE & Gary Batton wins in landslide The Mission LISA REED of the Choctaw Choctaw Nation Nation of Oklahoma Current Chief Gary Batton has defeated opponent Deborah Jan Batti- est-Tomasi with 86.52% of the vote compared to her 13.48% in the 2015 To enhance the lives election for Chief of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Surrounded by of all members through family, friends, and supporters, Chief Batton was announced the winner opportunities designed to at approximately 8:45 p.m. on Saturday, July 11. develop healthy, successful and productive lifestyles. “First and foremost, I want to give thanks to God for the blessings He has bestowed upon me and my family. My prayer is for His continuous ◆ Get your digital copy! blessings for the Choctaw people and Southeast Oklahoma. “This has been a great week, with the Choctaw Council passing a bill Scan this code with your agreeing to accept a settlement on behalf of the Choctaw and Chickasaw smartphone to go online for Nations from the U.S. Government on an asset accounting case. This will this issue and archive copies go a long way toward building up our economy and providing services to of the BISKINIK! our tribal citizens. http://www.choctawnation. “Now is the time of opportunity and we must seize it so we can make a com/news-room/biskinik- diff erence in the lives of our people and southeastern Oklahoma.” Photo by Ronni Pierce newspaper-archive/ Chief Batton took offi ce after Chief Gregory E. Pyle announced his Chief Gary Batton accepts the win in the race for Choctaw Nation retirement 15 months ago. He took the oath of offi ce on the steps of the Chief. Chief Batton won with a large margin over his opponent, headquarters complex on April 28, 2014. 86.52% to 13.48%. During his fi rst term the Choctaw Nation saw the distribution of Choc- taw Nation car tags, the groundbreaking for the 143,000-square-foot District 2’s Council race in northern McCurtain County has resulted regional health clinic in Durant, the completion of the chapel at Tvshka in a runoff between Jonathan Anthony Ward who received 41.47% and Homma, the creation of the Council on Wisdom, and expansion of the Michael Allen Amos with 37.55% of the votes. Four other candidates storm shelter program to include tribal citizens age 55 and up, among rounded out the voting: Greene Dale Davis 6.33%, Ivan Lee Battiest other initiatives. 6.02%, and Taloa Ossi Gibson and Kenneth Karl Battiest, both with Saturday’s election also resulted in the re-election of incumbent Bobby 4.32%. The run0ff will be held on Aug. 8, 2015. Pate in Pittsburg County’s District 11 Council seat. Pate received 56.49% Chief Batton and Councilmembers from Districts 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and of the votes, Nellie Marie Sam Meashintubby 21.56%, Henry Phillip By- 11 will take the oath of offi ce at the L abor Day ceremonies in Tvshka ington 16.37%, and William Jennings Frye 5.59%. Homma on Monday, Sept. 7, 2015. 2 BISKINIK | July 2015 FAITH, FAMILY AND CULTURE Lifting up the Nation Chaplain’s Corner Thank you for the confidence you have placed in me by selecting me to serve another four years as your Chief. Let our light shine The Choctaw Nation is poised for even greater success than we have already achieved, and I am prepared to do “And they that be wise his God. my part to provide opportunities for all Choctaws. shall shine as the bright- Talk about a mission Throughout history, Choctaws have always made the ness of the fi rmament and fi eld being a hard one, see most of opportunities that come our way.