By Dana Hudspeth, Media Relations Specialist
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office
Latta student Devin Lyon, left, and Byng student Bailee Hatton at November’s Chikashsha Apihchi Ikbi session, conducted Nov. 14 in Ada.
Getting involved to make positive changes for the future was the overall theme of November's Chikashsha Apihchi Ikbi session, conducted Nov. 14 on Ada.
Bob Donaho, president of Davis, Okla., Chamber of Commerce, spoke to 22 members of the Chickasaw youth leadership program about several issues and how they can get involved to make a positive impact.
The theme of the session was "Leadership in Your Community."
During his talk, Mr.Donaho touched on a wide variety of key issues facing the youth; including America's dependence on foreign oil, water shortages and global warming.
He also explained that the decisions made in Washington, D.C. impacts their daily lives, and stressed the importance of having courage to make important changes.
When asked what she learned during the session, Chikashsha Apihchi Ikbi Program (CAIP) member Devin Lyon said, "Today, Mr. Donaho taught me that global warming is very important to know and is a very real thing, and it is our responsibility to inform others about Earth's ecologic problems, to keep these things under control and save our world."
The Chikashsha Apihchi Ikbi leadership program, which means "Creating Chickasaw Leaders," is designed to prepare Chickasaw youth to be future tribal leaders.
The second year of the program started in October with a tent-camping retreat.
Some of the planned topics during the 2009-2010 session include a small business session, a writer's workshop, college day, ethics, and job opportunities', among others.
Miss Lyon, a retuning CAIP student from Latta, said she is looking forward to having fun with her peers this year and learning leadership skills that will benefit her in her adult life.
"I know when I turn 18 I want to be able to go out on my own and know what to expect and how to handle it all."
For the year ahead, Devin said she is looking forward to all the activities the group is scheduled to do.
"I am really excited. This is a great program to be a part of, the sessions are great and the youth specialists are always there when you need them."
New member Cyenoa Cummings, from Tishomingo, said she is eager to meet new people and learn new things this year.
Attending the November session were Marlee Erwin, Micah Hart, Aaron John, Maegan "Gi Gi" Bridgman, Laura Ash, Devin Lyon, Caleb McDonald, Autumn Underwood, Cyenoa Cummings, Stephen Campbell, Kayla Gamble, Samie Walker, Dylan Richardson, Shelbey Parnacher, Catie Newport, Brandon Hill, Lori Barrett, Kash Smith, Paige Wilson, Reide Wilson, Zack Stepps and Bailee Hatton.
The group's next meeting is Dec. 12 in Ada. The program will focus on Chickasaw culture.
