Continuing publication Veterans Day of recorded interviews of Ceremony Choctaw elders from 2007 information This month – Carrie Bohanan, Ruby Choate, Bertram Bobb and Page 20 Viola McCurtain Pages 17-19 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 2011 Issue Serving 209,342 Choctaws Worldwide Choctaws ... growing with pride, hope and success Chief Pyle sworn in for fourth term Delivers State of the Nation to capacity crowd Chief Gregory E. Pyle greeted a huge up to. Our ancestors were brave and strong crowd as he stepped to the podium on and determined, and they survived many Sept. 5 at Tushka Homma. The amphithe- hardships to become the great tribe we are ater was filled to capacity and hundreds today. It is our responsibility to sustain our more stood on the Capitol grounds for the heritage in such a way to honor those who closing ceremony of the annual Labor Day came before us, and to continue this lega- Festival, listening as Pyle gave the State of cy by teaching our children their heritage. the Nation address on the day that marked “Our Going Green program continues – MISS the beginning of his fourth term as Chief ‘sustaining our people, our traditions, our CHOCTAW NATION of the Choctaw Nation. earth.’ The Choctaw Nation has always AMBER TEHAUNO “This year’s Labor Day theme is ‘Build- been a protector of the environment, espe- ing and Sustaining our Heritage Through cially water, and we continue in that role Choctaw Nation: LISA REED the Legacy of Those Who Came Before,’ today,” Chief Pyle emphasized. “By trea- Chief Gregory E. Pyle, with wife Patti by his side, is sworn he said. “We are a proud nation of Choc- ty with the federal government, the tribe’s into office during the Labor Day ceremony by Tribal Judge taws and we have a mighty legacy to live See STATE OF NATION Page 5 Mitch Mullen. JR. MISS CHOCTAW NATION ADRIANNA CURNUTT Choctaw Nation: LISA REED Tribal Judge Fred Bobb swears in the Tribal Councilmen during the Labor Day ceremony, from left, District 1 Thomas Williston, District 5 Ronald Perry, District 11 Bob Pate, District 8 Perry Thompson, District 3 Kenny Bryant, and District 2 Tony Messenger. Tribal Council elects officers, swears in Assistant Chief The Tribal Council elected officers sess climate changes on various tribal A council bill to apply for one-time LITTLE MISS for 2011-12 during its regular session resources so appropriate measures can supplemental monies through the De- CHOCTAW NATION on Sept. 5 at Tushka Homma. Delton be taken to adapt to or mitigate these partment of Health and Human Ser- SUMMER MOFFITT Cox was chosen once again by accla- changes. vices’ Office of Head Start American mation to serve as Council speaker. The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutri- Indian Alaska Native Program Branch Council members voted unanimously tion Program through the U.S. Depart- was approved to purchase playground, Princesses for Thomas Williston to fill the seat ment of Agriculture will assist the tribe hearing and vision equipment. DELTON COX of secretary and Joe Coley to remain in providing fresh fruit and vegetables Approved council bills also included crowned for SPEAKER chaplain. at a lower cost to some of its most vul- those for: Speaker Cox reappointed Bob Rabon nerable members, the senior citizens, • the Head Start policy procedures as parliamentarian, Sylvester Moore as and help tribal and other farmers in the See COUNCIL Page 5 2011-12The Choctaw Nation Princess sergeant-at-arms and Patty Hawkins as area. Pageant was held opening night secretary of the Tribal Council. of the annual Labor Day Festi- In new business, Assistant Chief val in Tushka Homma, crown- Gary Batton was sworn in by Speaker ing the 2011-12 princesses. The Cox for another term. reigning royalty for the next Four language instructors were pre- year are Miss Choctaw Nation sented certificates during the meeting. Amber Tehauno from District With the certification of Catherine 2, Jr. Miss Adrianna Curnutt, THOMAS WILLISTON Wade and Ruby Murphy of Oklaho- District 4, and Little Miss Sum- SECRETARY ma City, Bobby Coley of Talihina and mer Moffitt, District 8, David Bacon of Pocola, the School of In the Miss division, Amber Choctaw Language now has 37 com- Colwell from District 4 is 1st munity teachers. Runner-up and Melissa Gueli Council members approved 10 tribal from District 7 is 2nd Runner- program budgets as well as applica- up. tions for the Tribal Climate Change In the Jr. Miss Division, 1st Grant Program and the Senior Farmers’ Runner-up is Cherish Wilker- Market Nutrition Program. son, District 11, and 2nd Run- With the Tribal Climate Change Choctaw Nation: LISA REED ner-up is Myrah McKinney, Grant, funds from the Bureau of Indian District 2. JOE COLEY Affairs will assist the tribe in develop- Assistant Chief Gary Batton is sworn in for another term by Council The Little Miss 1st Runner- CHAPLAIN ing and implementing projects to as- Speaker Delton Cox during the Tribal Council meeting on Sept. 5. up is Callie Armstrong, District 10, and 2nd Runner-up is Kyra Wilson, District 9. Notice to Biskinik Ardese promoted to U.S. Marine colonel E-News readers u What’s inside Chief Gregory E. Pyle pinned Choctaw Biskinik E-News readers – We member and U.S. Marine Tray Ardese to the Columns ............................................. 2 have changed how we get the news rank of Colonel in a special ceremony at this Notes to the Nation ............................. 3 to you! Instead of sending several year’s Labor Day Festival. Ardese is a deco- Nursery News ..................................... 4 stories every two weeks we are Food Distribution ................................ 4 rated serviceman of nearly 22 years, sporting publishing them as they happen. People You Know ............................... 6 a bronze star with a “V” for valor in combat, Watch for the link on Facebook Education ............................................ 7 15 air medals, Navy commendation with “V” or log on to www.choctawnation/ Obituaries .................................... 14-15 for valor in combat medals and a purple heart. Iti Fabvssa ........................................ 19 news-room for the latest news Ardese has served extensively throughout from the Choctaw Nation of Okla- the United States and the world and made the The Mission homa. Each month’s Biskinik is Choctaw Nation proud during his seven com- of the Choctaw also available in PDF format. bats tours, which include three to Iraq and one Don’t forget to “like” the offi- Nation of Oklahoma to Afghanistan. cial Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma To enhance the lives of all mem- As a display of his pride for his country and Choctaw Nation: LISA REED Facebook page! bers through opportunities designed heritage, this Choctaw warrior flew an American flag, which he gave to Chief Pyle, and the flag of the Choctaw Na- www.facebook.com/choctawna- to develop healthy, successful and tion of Oklahoma over his stations while on tour. tionofoklahoma. productive lifestyles. Ardese is the son of Raylene Ardese and Joe Amos. BISKINIK | October 2011 | Page 2 Honored to speak to U.S. Congress on self-governance From the Desk of tremendous opportunities for our tribal people in recent Chief Gregory E. Pyle years. Because of self-governance, the Choctaw Nation has seen achievements in economic development which You would think as many times as I have been to Wash- has paved the way for additional employment. We have ington, D.C., I wouldn’t get butterflies when talking to seen advancements in tribal health service both through members of Congress, but even after all these years, when additional facilities and superior care. Through self-gov- asked to speak on behalf of the tribes of the United States, ernance, the Choctaw Nation has made accomplishments especially our tribe, the importance of that task is awe- in education that have helped us progress in many ways, some. In September I had the honor of being requested such as building an academic facility at Jones Academy to testify to Congress on self-governance at a hearing on and initiating programs that help students of all ages. We HR 2444, the Department of the Interior Tribal Self-Gov- are able to “think outside the box” – and do something ernance Act of 2011. Congressman Dan Boren, a member with those ideas! of the subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs Self-governance works! And I was humbled to speak Natural Resources Committee and the U.S. Representa- to members of Congress about how it works for our tribe. tive for the 2nd District of Oklahoma, was the sponsor I truly appreciate the trust the Choctaw people put in me of this bill. as the Chief of the tribe and want to always represent you The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma successfully oper- well. Our tribe is 208,000+ people strong and growing ates under self-governance and we are blessed to have every day. We are a blessed nation of people! Chaplain’s Corner FromA the100-year Desk of sustainable vision Assistant Chief Gary Batton We all need to be saved One of the duties of Assistant Chief I join Chief Pyle, Assistant have killed himself, sup- is helping tribal executives oversee the Chief Batton and the Tribal posing that the prisoners many budgets of the 120+programs Council members in praising had fled. of the Choctaw Nation. October is the the Lord for another year of But Paul cried with a month that a new year begins for most a great celebration of family loud voice, saying, “Do of our services, and there is always reunion at Tushka Homma.