Community
The Chickasaw Nation strives to enhance
the overall quality of life of the Chickasaw people and the communities in which they live.
The Chickasaw Nation Transportation Services Department provides delivery of medications, transportation to and from health care facilities as well as other needs. The department provided more than 10,300 medical transportation and medication pickup deliveries for more than 2,500 clients in FY 2008. In addition, the department drove more than 483,000 miles to provide services throughout the year.
Much like the transportation program, the Chickasaw Nation Road to Work Program began in FY 2008 and provides transportation to and from sites of Native American employment. Routes were established to help employees cope with rising fuel costs. In August, the program expanded to provide an education route to East Central University and the Pontotoc Technology Center. The program serves an average of 27 riders each month.
The Chickasaw Nation also provides several programs to assist citizens with employment training and job opportunities, including the Chickasaw Nation Re-Entry Program and the career development initiative. Both programs provide valuable opportunities to participants in an effort to help them prepare for and obtain quality jobs. Activities provided include GED training, vocational training, life skills training and pre-apprentice training.
The Chickasaw Nation strives to enhance communities throughout the area. One initiative that positively impacts Oklahomans throughout the state is the tribe’s roads program. The roads program works to improve the safety of roadways for all travelers in the Chickasaw Nation. Ongoing projects for FY 2008 included the Cooper Memorial Road project in Sulphur and the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center road in Ada. The roads program also collaborates with cities, counties and the state to complete beneficial projects for communities. Cooperative efforts during FY 2008 included the Bullard Chapel Road in Johnston County and the Gray Addition in Pontotoc County.
Many other projects have positively impacted communities across Oklahoma, including recycling projects initiated through the office of environmental services. Recycling containers were distributed to tribal facilities located in Ada in an effort to promote the community-wide initiative. In addition, the office of environmental services partnered with the City of Ada to conduct the annual household hazardous waste collection event. More than 7,700 pounds of material were recycled as a result of this collaborative effort.
The Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department (LPD) collectively aids in keeping our communities safe. The LPD is a dynamic full-service operation. In FY 2008, LPD personnel investigated multiple cases totaling the theft of more than $600,000 in property, of which, more than $81,000 of the stolen property was recovered.
The LPD has received many awards and recognitions this year. As a result of their dedication and outstanding efforts, two LPD investigators received the distinguished Red Feather award from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. LPD also received national recognition as the first tribal agency to be represented as a member of the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI), and is also the only tribal agency cross-deputized with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.
In addition, LPD Chief Jason O’Neal was praised for his pioneering work in cooperative law enforcement, as he was recognized as Chief of Police of the Year by the National Native American Law Enforcement Association (NNALEA). Cooperation among American Indian law enforcement offices, agents, personnel, their agencies, tribes, private industry and the general public is the mission of the NNALEA, and Chief O’Neal and the Lighthorse Police Department work toward this goal on a daily basis.
In addition to providing law enforcement, the LPD also provides many educational and volunteer services to the community.
A 13‑week Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) and Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) was provided in four school districts during FY 2008. These trainings provided education to 260 students. The LPD also established the Youth Police Academy in FY 2008. Several tribal divisions planned and implemented the academy that taught the basics of law enforcement. In addition to providing education and volunteering in communities across the Chickasaw Nation, several LPD officers traveled outside Oklahoma to offer their services. Officers completed a collaborative effort with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Operation Dakota Peacekeepers. The officers traveled to the Standing Rock and Pine Ridge reservations over the course of three months and were commended for their volunteer service.
Other accomplishments:
- The Chickasaw Nation Emergency Assistance Program provided service to more than 1,140 Chickasaws living within the tribal boundaries. In addition, the at-large emergency assistance program provided assistance to 398 Chickasaws living outside tribal boundaries.
- Through the computer distribution program, computers were provided to more than 880 Chickasaws in FY 08, and more than 430 have received a $300 voucher toward the purchase of a computer of their choice.
- More than 990 animals were vaccinated at rabies clinics throughout the Chickasaw Nation during the spring and summer months.
- The area offices provided more than 950 Thanksgiving baskets and more than 1,000 Christmas baskets to families in need across the Chickasaw Nation during the 2007 holiday season.
- In addition, angel tree applications were accepted at all area offices as well as the family advocacy and behavioral health departments. More than 600 Christmas gifts were provided to children of all ages through this program.
- The Chickasaw Nation hosted the annual Childrens’ Fair in Pontotoc County. Approximately 2,200 people attended the event that celebrates the Week of the Young Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month.
- The car seat safety program conducted seven trainings throughout the year. This program provided more than
125 car seats to Chickasaw citizens. - The veterans program has more than 400 participants. This year, 83 jackets were distributed to individuals participating in the program. In addition, 97 medals were provided to Chickasaws who have served our country and received an honorable discharge.
- Community health representatives assisted more than 29,000 individuals within the service area with activities including blood pressure checks, blood sugar checks, flu shots, vital sign screenings, transports and medication deliveries.
- The landscaping department provides lawn care services to Chickasaw elders and disabled citizens. In FY 2008, more than 620 lawns were mowed each month by program staff.
- Daisy Blackbird, a 105-year-old original Chickasaw enrollee, was among eight original enrollees honored at the Oklahoma State Capitol May 12, 2008.