BISHINIK PRSRT STD P.O. Drawer 1210 U.S. Postage Paid Durant OK 74702 Durant OK RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Permit #187 THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA Serving 138,573 Choctaws Worldwide www.choctawnation.com August 2003 Issue Fishing legend films show with Choctaw leaders Promoting an anti-substance abuse message is one thing that Choctaw Chief Gregory E. Pyle and world-famous professional fisherman Jimmy Houston have in common. Another thing in com- mon is that they teamed up recently to film a fishing excursion for ESPN. While casting for the big bass in a Bryan County water- shed, the Chief and fishing legend Jimmy Houston talked nonstop, with topics ranging from “best lures” to moral and spiritual issues. Chief Pyle and Mr. Houston were joined by Assistant Chief Mike Bailey in the Bass Tracker, launching the boat shortly after day- light. As Chief Pyle reeled in the first catch of the day, the discus- sion turned to ways that people could be encouraged to “get hooked on fishing, not drugs.” This subject has been a hot topic with Jimmy Houston since news articles were printed this year about Jimmy Houston’s announcement that he refused to wear a Busch beer logo on his clothing and put the beer sponsor’s decal on his boat. This refusal means that the fishing legend has opted out of the running for BASS Angler of the Year, which he has won twice before. Houston was quoted in a Baptist Press article that he could not comply with endorsing the beer sponsor because of “ethical, moral and scriptural reasons.” When asked if he had prayed much about his decision, Houston said he hadn’t needed to pray about it at all – the decision had been made long ago not to be involved with spon- sorships from alcohol distributors. He said that he did not sell beer in his store, and he did not think it would be a good example to others to have a beer decal on his boat. “I admire the conviction of Jimmy Houston to be a living testi- mony against the use of alcohol and drugs,” said Chief Pyle. See HOUSTON on Page 3 HHS Deputy Secretary visits Choctaw tribal programs It was an historic occasion this week when U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Claude Allen visited with tribal leaders of sev- eral Oklahoma tribes, including the Choctaw Nation, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Absentee Shawnee, Citizen Potawatomi and Sac and Fox Nations. Deputy Secretary Allen is the second highest-rank- ing official at HHS, headed by Secretary Tommy Thompson. It was the first time an official from HHS of this high ranking visited the Choctaw Nation. Wednesday evening, June 25, and Thursday, June 26, were fo- Eric O’Kelley is presented a Choctaw Nation Tribal cused on the Choctaw Nation. Scholarship by Executive Director Jack Pate for be- The Deputy Secretary and other Dale Keel, Oklahoma City IHS Area Director, along with Regional Director Linda ing one of this year’s top JOM students. leaders from HHS met with tribal officials and directors on issues Penn and Deputy Secretary Claude Allen of HHS came to Choctaw Nation to visit and concerns affecting tribal with Chief Gregory E. Pyle and other tribal leaders. members who receive services Top students honored from the Choctaw Nation. Secretary, and Patrik Johansson, Deputy Secretary Allen. themselves what our tribe has to Top Johnson O’Malley students in the The HHS team present in- Minority Health Disparities In- “The Council and I were offer.” Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Semi- cluded not only people from tern, Office of Minority Health. thrilled to have the opportunity The tour of Choctaw Nation nole and Creek nations were honored Washington, D.C., but from the “Native Americans are the first to show Deputy Secretary Allen included the field office, manu- July 11 in Tulsa during the quarterly regional and area offices as well. citizens of this country,” said the Choctaw Nation programs facturing complex, travel plaza meeting of the Inter-Tribal Council of the Linda Penn, Director of HHS for Deputy Secretary Allen when and facilities,” said Chief Gre- and gaming center in McAlester, Five Civilized Tribes. Eric O’Kelley and Region VI is the Secretary’s di- addressing the group. “In my job gory E. Pyle. “It was an honor to the Choctaw Nation Hospital in Joy McConnell are the outstanding rect representative responsible with the Department of Health let him, Regional Director Penn Talihina and site of the new clinic graduates awarded by the Choctaw Na- for guidance and coordination of and Human Services, we deal and others with the group see for being constructed in Stigler. tion this year. policies. Region VI, officed in with a multitude of issues, includ- Eric, the son of Buddy and Janelle Texas, facilitates in Arkansas, ing managing the fifth largest O’Kelley, is a graduate of Haileyville Louisiana, New Mexico, Okla- budget in the world.” He ex- Renovations okayed for travel mart High School. His honors include Okla- JOY McCONNELL homa and Texas. plained that he was visiting In- In Regular Session July 12th, the Choctaw Nation Tribal Council homa Academic Scholar, Oklahoma In- Dale Keel, the Acting Director dian Country to see the issues agreed to appropriate funds to renovate a recently purchased travel dian Honor Society and an Academic Team member for three years. of the Oklahoma Area Office of first hand. The Deputy Secretary mart facility in Heavener. The operating systems will be upgraded The team was regional and conference champions for 2002-03. Eric Indian Health Service, also ac- said that major concerns included as well as the appearance of the store. was also a member of the Speech Team, Native American Club, Fel- companied the team to the Choc- diabetes and hypertension. He Council members approved placement of Bryan County property lowship of Christian Athletes and FFA in which he served as Chapter taw Nation. Others joining them also vowed to continue to work in Trust status, and also agreed to give a right-of-way easement in President. Eric enjoyed volunteering for church activities and par- included Eric Broderick, Senior toward increasing resources as favor of Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co. ticipating in food drives. He will be attending college at the Univer- Advisor for Tribal Health Policy, they are available to priority ar- Also approved were: a hay baling permit in Talihina, a recreational sity of Oklahoma in Norman, majoring in business. Intergovernmental Affairs, Gena eas. lease in Bennington, budget and supplemental funding for Head Start, Joy is the daughter of Mike and Pam McConnell. She graduated Tyner-Dawson, Senior Advisor “We want to partner with you audit services and discretionary funds for Council. Battiest High School at the top of her class. She was a member of for Tribal Affairs, Willis Morris, and hear your concerns. We also The next Regular Session is scheduled for Saturday, August 9, 2003 National Honor Society, Oklahoma Indian Student Honor Society, Senior Advisor to the Deputy want to hear your solutions,” said at 10:00 a.m. Gifted and Talented program, the Scholastic Team, Quiz Bowl Team and was Student Council Class Representative for four years. She was also captain of the basketball team, voted most valuable player, Run-off election scheduled for voters in McCurtain County a member of the McCurtain County All Conference Team, and a mem- A run-off election is scheduled ber of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is active in her commu- August 2, 2003 for Choctaw vot- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Election Results - July 12, 2003 nity, participating in several programs including Reading Mentor, ers to select a Tribal Council rep- DISTRICT 1 COUNCIL MEMBER Adopt-a-Kindergartner, Youth Outreach, holiday programs for se- resentative for District #1, which Candidate Name Idabel Valliant Absentee Total % nior citizens, Roadside Beautification Project and Read Across encompasses the southern part of John Wesley Epperson 26 13 49 88 10.824 America. She plans to attend Oklahoma State University in Stillwa- McCurtain County. Candidates Harrington Ward 78 34 252 364 44.772 ter, attaining her accounting degree. are Harrington “Hap” Ward and John Williams 42 5 48 95 11.685 In other business, the Inter-Tribal Council passed a resolution sup- Thomas Rhea Williston. In the porting the efforts of the Oklahoma Coalition of Title VII directors July 12th election, Ward received Thomas Rhea Williston 115 11 59 185 22.755 and coordinators who are requesting that the original intent of the a total of 364 votes and Williston Jason Michael Baker 8 0 31 39 4.797 Indian Education Act be followed. Parental involvement and provi- received a total of 185 votes. Reginald Don Williams 14 3 25 42 5.166 sion of educational and culturally related academic needs of Native Four other candidates were in the DISTRICT 2 COUNCIL MEMBER American children should remain a top priority of all Indian Educa- race. Candidate Name Bethel Broken Bow Absentee Total % tion programs. The Inter-Tribal Council also supported the Native District #2, North McCurtain Michael Allen Amos 29 156 278 463 53.096 American Youth Leadership Development Initiative, designed to rec- County, voted to keep incumbent Gary DeWayne Noah 1 20 31 52 5.963 ognize the needs and enhance the skills of Native American youth in Michael Allen Amos, who re- Kenneth Wayne Ashalintubbi 1 45 35 81 9.289 Oklahoma. The youth can assemble with peers and train through work- ceived 53.096% of the votes cast Billy Paul Baker 29 92 74 195 22.362 shops and seminars, providing tribes an opportunity to develop lead- in that area.