Governor Bill AnoatubbyChickasaw Nation’s leadership role brings responsibilities
We all understand what a long and demanding journey began with Removal of our tribe in 1837. We know the stories of trial and sadness, and of the rawness of the new land. We understand our people remained steadfast throughout decades of tremendous challenge.
We owe our previous generations a huge debt of gratitude. Because of their persistence, and because of the solid foundation they maintained through family and tribe, we have been able to arrive at our current juncture in history.
The Chickasaw Nation now is one of the foremost tribes in the country. As Chickasaw people, we can take pride that we have together built exceptional programs in education, housing, nutrition, health care, employment and so much more. We are operating vibrant and growing tribal businesses that help provide us the independence we enjoy today.
With success and achievement comes responsibility. The Chickasaw Nation is a recognized leader in Indian Country, and Chickasaws are expected to blaze the trails that will ensure our tribal futures.
As you know, the Chickasaw Nation, along with the Choctaw Nation, is engaged in a federal lawsuit regarding the precious natural resources of our lands. The issue of our water is critical, not only to our current needs, but also the needs of the future. It is essential this resource is protected and utilized efficiently and with the greater good in mind.
The challenge regarding our water touches on the very fundamentals of our shared Chickasaw experiences, and the bedrock of tribal sovereignty. The Chickasaw Nation will continue to be an energetic leader in the sovereign status of our tribe, and of all the Indian tribes.
In that regard, we are also working to help other tribes and their federal recognition status. Several tribes were not included in the original Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, which, among other things, allows tribes to place property in trust with the United States. The tribes in question have been in existence as tribal governments for many centuries prior to contact. We are helping assist these tribes at the federal level to ensure they are properly recognized and can operate as the sovereign entities they are.
In Indian health care, the Chickasaw Nation helped establish new cornerstones of success with the construction and staffing of our Chickasaw Nation Medical Center in Ada. Our tribe worked with the U.S. Indian Health Service to break through years of challenge. We moved forward with the construction our state-of-the-art hospital, funded by the Chickasaw Nation. Our agreement with the IHS secured years of federal funding for professional caregivers at our medical center.
This was a groundbreaking event that has now set a new standard in the country for Indian health care.
There are numerous other areas in which the Chickasaw Nation serves Chickasaw people, and all of Indian Country. In business, in government, in quality programs for the people – the Chickasaw Nation is leading the way.
