Governor Bill AnoatubbyAt the Chickasaw Nation, we talk a lot about our tribal self-sufficiency, our tribal governance and our commercial endeavors.
Each of these elements is vitally important to our tribe, our people and our future. Each is based on a vision of producing enough of our own resources to properly serve all Chickasaw people.
But what do they really mean in a Chickasaw family’s everyday life? The tribal government works hard to protect its inherent sovereignty and to govern fairly. The tribal businesses are diligent in producing excellent financial results and developing new and innovative lines of business.
And our tribe pours its resources back into its people.
Let’s look at our tribal education program, historically one of our top priorities.
In the fiscal year concluded on Sept. 30, 2009, the Chickasaw Nation had invested just shy of $17 million in education programs and services.
That’s right! It’s an amazing figure, and one that reflects our continued commitment to providing the education tools Chickasaws of all ages and situations require to learn, grow and achieve real happiness.
Our tribal businesses are huge contributors to this investment. Our administrators, managers and employees understand we are not creating profits simply for the joy of making money. We are hitting our financial goals so the Chickasaw people can access education programs at many, many levels.
That is where “the rubber meets the road!”
The funds we direct to our tribal education efforts correlate directly to fulfilled Chickasaw families, confident Chickasaw students and Chickasaw children starting out on the right foot.
You see the investment in our childhood development, child care and early reading programs. We understand our kids require a nurturing environment, great instructors and the books, supplies and other resources to get ahead.
You see the investment in our tribal commitment to the Johnson-O’Malley program in the Chickasaw Nation. Thousands of Native children each year receive supplies, tutoring and other material they need to keep them on the right track.
Thousands more of our Chickasaw vocational, college and graduate-level students are receiving millions of dollars in scholarships, grants and incentives to assist them in completing their educations.
And there is so much more. Our adult education programs are making significant and positive changes in the lives of mature Chickasaws. Our engineering robotics programs are bringing alive the math and science disciplines for our children and teens. Our summer academies bring students from across the country to study aerospace, the environment, the arts and more.
With your valuable support, our tribe is building an outstanding educational foundation. As Chickasaws take advantage of these opportunities, traditions within families are created that lead new generations to educational excellence.
All we do at the tribe is designed to offer new and exciting opportunities to Chickasaw people everywhere. Take advantage today! We look forward to your personal success.
