Governor Bill AnoatubbyTribe's resolution for 2008 -'Create Opportunity'
By Bill Anoatubby, Governor, Chickasaw Nation
As the New Year of 2008 begins, now is a good time to take stock of where we are as a tribe, and what lies ahead for the Chickasaw Nation.
It is a pleasure to report that the Chickasaw Nation is undoubtedly one of the most successful, innovative and secure tribes in the country. The tribe has instituted a myriad of new and enhanced programs and services over the past decade, all designed to support the stated mission of the Chickasaw Nation - to improve the lives of Chickasaw people.
We have accomplished so much together.
We also know there is much that lies before us, and more "building blocks" will be put in place as we build up our tribe and our people.
The New Year is the perfect time for resolutions. Many of us make personal resolutions with the advent of the New Year. We resolve to exercise more, eat less, read more, spend more time with the grandkids. Each of us has his or her own personal set of resolutions, most often created and reviewed as the New Year dawns.
For the Chickasaw Nation, I believe the prime resolution for 2008 is "create opportunity."
With so many activities ongoing at the Chickasaw Nation, it is important we regularly review our tribal mission. We want to be certain we are traveling the good path as we in your tribal government serve you. One of the simplest yet most important things we do in government is open doors for Chickasaws everywhere. And when a Chickasaw walks through that open door, we want him or her to discover all the wonderful opportunities available.
In 2008 we plan to create opportunity in education, in housing and in health care. New opportunities in tribal business and commerce will be forthcoming. Our Chickasaw youth, elders and families will benefit from new opportunities presented them by the tribe.
There is so much more to the Chickasaw Nation than our array of programs and services. These essential elements the tribe offers are tremendously important to Chickasaw people. Plus, there is so much more available beyond the "front door" of the Chickasaw Nation.
Beyond the grants, scholarships and other programs we offer students are the successful careers, families and lives those programs help create. The tribal housing initiatives are more than simply roofs over the heads of Chickasaw families - they fulfill dreams and help form the foundation for happy, well-lived lives. The new tribal health care facility is more than a bricks-and-mortar building filled with equipment and medical staff - it is a healing center where Chickasaws and other Indian people can regain their most precious possession.
Our tribal businesses offer so much more than profits - they provide important employment opportunities and lifelong careers. The specialty camps our youth attend are more than simply a good time together - they are laying the groundwork and the important life lessons our young people will need as they make their life choices.
Each and every program and service the tribe provides has so many more facets, once you travel through that front door.
For 2008, our tribal resolution -"create opportunity" - has the tremendous potential to positively impact every Chickasaw across the country, and around the world!
