The Chickasaw Times Post Office Box 1548 Ada, OK 74821 Chickasaw Times Vol. LIII, No. 12 Official publication of the Chickasaw Nation www.chickasawtimes.net December 2018 Season’s Greetings Season’s greetings from all of us at the Chickasaw Nation! This special season reminds us of the many blessings that have been bestowed on us by God. It is appropriate for us to reflect on this special season, and on all the good things we have received. Throughout the generations, the Chickasaw people have been guided by faith. Our an- cestors encountered many challenges, and often found themselves relying on God and each other for basic survival. GOV. BILL ANOATUBBY The Almighty blessed our peo- ple and brought them through so many trials. He gave us the Four Chickasaw Vietnam War veterans lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery Nov. 12. The veterans will to survive, and the blessings of strong families and a strong are, from left Knute Landreth Jr., Bruce Squires, Gene Jefferson and Donald Yegge. Jacquelyn Sparks tribe. During this Christmas season, we extend our prayers of good- will to Chickasaw families across the country and around the Chickasaw veterans honor world. We take time to say a special prayer for our Chickasaw veter- ans and our Chickasaw men and women currently serving in the military. We appreciate all they have done and are doing to fallen at Tomb of the Unknowns preserve our way of life. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chicka- citizens who participated in a humbling.” Our Chickasaw elders, who have guided us throughout the saw Nation warriors laid a wreath five-day trip to Washington by Several Chickasaw veterans centuries, are a very special blessing. We honor them for their at the Tomb of the Unknowns in the Chickasaw Nation. Each year, were thanked for their service by wisdom and their contributions to our people and our culture. Arlington National Cemetery Nov. the tribe sends its warriors here a man who came to America from We say a prayer of deep and abiding love for our Chickasaw 12 to honor veterans who made to take in the sights, participate Belize and works as a volunteer at children. Our children lead us with their pure and simple faith, the ultimate sacrifice defending in Veterans Day memorial cer- Arlington Nation Cemetery. and we count on them as our leaders in the years to come. freedom. emonies meet other Chickasaws “It was an amazing moment We know there are people grieving during this holiday season. Four Chickasaw Vietnam War who have served. The 2018 war- and meant so much,” Phillip Billy, Some must face illness, or the loss of loved ones. We offer our veterans represented their tribe riors served America in the Army, a veteran and director of veteran prayer of compassion for those whose souls are hurting. at the national shrine. They in- Navy, Marines, Air Force and Na- services at the Chickasaw Nation, Wherever we encounter our fellow man in distress, we are cluded Ada, Okla., resident Gene tional Guard. said. “It came from his heart.” commanded by God to love him and help him as we can. We Jefferson, a former Marine ser- Governor Bill Anoatubby said Mr. Yegge said the encounter pray that we may answer the call to help others when the op- geant who served as a helicopter the trip was an expression of put a lump in his throat. “He just portunity is before us. machine gun operator; Donald appreciation to Chickasaws who seemed to appear out of nowhere Christmas marks the season of peace, joy and fullness of Yegge, a Loyalton, Calif., resident had served our country. to shake our hands and thank us heart. May you and your family enjoy a wonderful holiday sea- who served as a gunner’s mate “There is something truly spe- for our service.” son! in the Navy; Knute Landreth Jr., cial about those men and women The Chickasaw Nation provides God bless you, your family and our beloved Chickasaw Nation! a Roswell, N.M., resident and for- who serve in the armed forces to veterans with increased ben- mer Army sergeant who served defend our freedoms and way of efits and services, including the as a stealth “search and destroy” life,” Gov. Anoatubby said. “While Chickasaw Warrior Society. The warrior; and Bruce Squires, a it is important to make a special warrior society was formed by Fargo, N.D., resident, and Army effort to honor their service on Gov. Anoatubby in 2015. It is an first lieutenant. All are combat Veterans Day, it is always appro- organization to encourage com- veterans. priate to express our apprecia- munity, establish and support “Oh, wow, it was very emotion- tion for their sacrifice and dedi- camaraderie and personifies the al,” Mr. Yegge said regarding the cation.” Chickasaw warrior spirit. The honor of laying a wreath while This year’s excursion has tak- tribe also opened The Chickasaw Multi-Tribal Day offers representing the Chickasaw Na- en the warriors to monuments Nation Veterans Lodge on the Ada tion. “The sergeant said ‘where honoring the nation’s greatest South Campus near the Chicka- cultural cornucopia are you from?’ We said Oklaho- leaders and sites commemorat- saw Nation Medical Center in Ada. ma, California, New Mexico and ing wars where Americans have The site was selected to assist SULPHUR, Okla. – Several hun- pashofa – a hominy-based soup North Dakota … from the Chicka- fought with valor and dignity in veterans in a centralized location. dred visitors filled the Chicka- which has sustained Chickasaws saw Nation.” the name of freedom. It serves by assisting them in ac- saw Cultural Center’s Traditional for centuries. “I got to a place very few people Two other Chickasaw veterans cessing all resources available Village Nov. 3 to enjoy, learn and Patrons traveled from far and in the United States will ever get who represented the Chickasaw through the Chickasaw Nation partake in dance, food, crafts and wide to witness tribal culture, to be thanks to the Chickasaw Na- Nation at the tomb – protected and other sources. It also serves much more during Multi-Tribal learn traditional dance steps and tion,” Mr. Landreth said of being by active military honor guard as a place for members of the Day. taste a menu based on recipes steps away from of the Tomb of soldiers 365 days a year – also Chickasaw Warrior Society, other Representatives of about a doz- passed down through the gen- the Unknowns. “It was just unbe- expressed how much it meant to veterans and those in active ser- en tribal nations, including danc- erations. lievable. I don’t know how I was them to be given the privilege of vice to come together for fellow- ers, artisans, flutists and drum Chickasaws Linda Underwood selected. It meant a lot to me. It laying the wreath. ship and build relationships. circles dressed in traditional re- and husband, Darrell, set wood was a great honor.” “It was very special,” Mr. Jef- galia took part in the event. The ablaze under an iron pot to cook The servicemen were part of a ferson said. Mr. Squires said the Chickasaw Nation rolled out the pashofa long before the sun dozen Chickasaw veterans and respect shown the veterans “was CONTRIBUTED BY Gene Lehmann, Media Relations. red carpet, serving traditional SEE MULTI-TRIBAL, PAGE 2 Tribe, Dustin Mater honored for unique special operations patch ADA, Okla. – Governor Bill Base Andrews, Maryland. casions, Chief Master Sgt. Young Anoatubby joined renowned “We wear it with pride,” Maj. said. Chickasaw artist Dustin Mater to Joshua Odquist told Gov. Anoa- “I’m proud to have had the op- celebrate a Mater-designed patch tubby following a ceremony at portunity to design this emblem to be worn by a special operations the Chickasaw Veterans Lodge. for the Air Force,” Mr. Mater said. unit. Maj. Odquist is the squadron’s “He is quite a talent,” Gov. Ano- Officials of the 137th Special commander atubby said of Operations Security Force Squad- and anti-ter- Mr. Mater. “We ron unveiled the patch designed rorism officer. are blessed to for the Oklahoma-based unit. He formally have him. We The patch features an ancient presented Gov. are thankful Chickasaw mace – an ornamen- Anoatubby for him and tal staff carried as a symbol of with a squad- thankful to authority – a Southeastern tribal ron badge and you for provid- tomahawk and woodpecker motif “challenge ing service to connecting the two. “Pugnentes coin” featuring our country.” Humi Ruberis” adorns the top. Mr. Mater’s art. M r. Mater The Latin words mean “Warriors M r. Mate r wore a special of the Red Soil” to illustrate the Left to right, Chief Master Sgt. Richard Young and Maj. Joshua Odquist of the 137th Special r e c e i v e d a bandolier for squadron’s Oklahoma roots. Operations Security Force Squadron present a framed uniform emblem to Chickasaw artist framed patch the ceremony Dustin Mater, Governor Bill Anoatubby, Chickasaw Nation Secretary of Culture & Humanities “What we were shooting for was in Chickasaw in honor of Lisa John and Chickasaw Nation Arts and Humanities Executive Officer Laura Stewart. Mater, ‘red earth warriors or red dirt an international renowned artist, worked with the Oklahoma City-based squadron for 16 Nation col- his family’s warriors,’ Richard Young, chief months to develop the emblem, shown in detail in opposite photo. The squadron is part ors of red, blue and yellow. The turtle clan. Fashioned in Chicka- master sergeant and the squad- of the 137th Special Operations Wing at the Will Rogers Air National Guard Base near Will framed emblem is the first one saw tribal colors, the bandolier ron’s security forces manager, Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City.