Chickasaw youth have more opportunities than ever before. By providing programs, services and interests that encourage students to explore various avenues, Chickasaw children are developing well-rounded skills for the future of the tribe.

An important accomplishment focused on children in 2009 was the completion of the new child development center which began operation in May. With the addition of the new center and implementation of other programs, child care services were provided to more than 1,500 children in fiscal year 2009.

Through the Chickasaw Nation Boys & Girls Clubs, more than 450 children participated in activities and educational events. The clubs provide students with a safe and structured setting to learn and play during after-school hours and in the summer. A new mentoring program was implemented to provide children with additional one-on-one interaction. Each week mentor volunteers spend quality time with children playing games, doing homework or participating in other educational activities.

Each year Chickasaw youth ages 14 to 21 have the opportunity to participate in the summer youth program to gain hands-on work experience and leadership skills through tribal operations. In 2009, the summer youth programs provided employment for nearly 400 Chickasaw students.

From sports and arts to language and law enforcement, camps and academies provide youth with the opportunity to make new friends and improve and learn new skills. More than 1,000 Chickasaw youth participated in more than 20 camps, clinics and academies conducted during the 2009 fiscal year.

In February 2009, the Chickasaw Princess program hosted the first Chickasaw Princess Pageant Information Fair. The fair was conducted to inform young Chickasaw ladies about pageant contestant resources and requirements of serving as a Chickasaw princess.

The Chickasaw princesses took part in many activities during 2009, including the Gathering of Nations and the Miss Indian World Princess Pageant in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The princesses also participated in the parade and grand entry at the Annual Red Earth Festival and the Excellence in Leadership awards ceremony.

A new program was created to focus on creating future Chickasaw leaders. In 2009, the Chikasha Apihchi Ikbi (youth leadership Chickasaw) program was implemented. Each year an elite group of Chickasaw high school students will be selected through an application process to participate in this program that teaches leadership, communication and life-long skills. In September, 15 members of Chikasha Apihchi Ikbi traveled to Washington, D.C. to learn more about history and culture as well as provide inspiration for future endeavors.

The arts are also important to the Chickasaw Nation, especially with Chickasaw youth. The division of arts and humanities conducted mini art festivals in 25 locations throughout the Chickasaw Nation and surrounding communities. The Division of Arts and Humanities also conducted the Chickasaw Summer Arts Academy with 140 students ages eight to nineteen.

In November 2009, classical music compositions of Chickasaw students Wyas Parker, Courtney Parchcorn and Kate Duty, all of Ada, were performed at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The compositions were performed by the Ambrosia Quartet, a respected student string quartet from Philadelphia, as part of the Classical Native production conducted by the National Museum of the American Indian. The students were selected for the unique opportunity for works they composed during the Chickasaw Summer Arts Academy.