Chickasaw Nation Bill Anoatubby received the Centennial Leadership Award for Preservation of State and Local History from the Oklahoma Heritage Association Thursday, March 29.
Gov. Anoatubby said he was “really surprised” when he learned of the award.
“This is a great honor,” said Gov. Anoatubby. “This award is a credit to the great team we have at the Chickasaw Nation. Everything we do is a team effort.”
The award was created in recognition of the extensive work Gov. Anoatubby has done to preserve state and local history.
Restoration of the historic Chickasaw Capitol in Tishomingo is one example of the extensive work the Chickasaw Nation has done to preserve state and local history.
One of the capitol exhibits was recently recognized for excellence by the Oklahoma Museums Association.
The tribe is also restoring the “Chickasaw White House” near Emet, which was the home of Chickasaw Nation Governor Douglas Johnston.
Oklahoma Governor William E. "Alfalfa Bill" Murray was married there to Alice Hearell, a niece of Gov. Johnston. Their son, Johnston Murray, who was born in the house, became Oklahoma's 14th governor in 1951
The tribe has also erected numerous historical markers and completed a variety of other significant projects.
Gov. Anoatubby received the award during the annual membership meeting and awards luncheon conducted at Southern Hill Country Club, Tulsa.
