The Purpose
As the Chickasaw Nation faces the challenge of balancing tribal sovereignty with maintaining a collaborative relationship with the federal government, it is crucial that future, young Chickasaw leaders are trained and encouraged to build relationships with policymakers throughout Indian Country and the United States Capitol. The Chickasaw Nation internship program provides opportunities for student ambassadors to build bridges, one relationship at a time, in an effort to address numerous issues facing the unconquered and unconquerable Chickasaw Nation. The program is designed to train young leaders to identify problems and implement lasting solutions through collaborative working relationships with government and business leaders.

Our Mission
The mission of the internship program is to work in partnership with government and business leaders across the country to provide an exclusive educational opportunity to the leading students of the Chickasaw Nation.  The program is a tool to have a direct impact on the future of the tribe by nominating and supporting a participant who will return home with the experience to be a leader in the Chickasaw Nation.

Program Benefits
The Chickasaw Nation will provide:

• 6-8 week internship opportunity
• a weekly stipend
• one round trip ticket to the location of their intern site
• housing accommodations

Program Components
The internship program is conducted at different times throughout the year in locations determined by the Chickasaw Nation. Once an intern has been selected, staff will work with the student and employer to determine exact dates.

Intern sites include, but are not limited to:

• Governmental Offices: Indian Health Service, Environmental Protection Agency, State Offices, etc.
• Congressional or Senate Offices
• Native American Organizations
• Native Owned or Operated Businesses

"Internship programs, such as the Chickasaw Nation's, are excellent tools for molding our tribal nation's youth into successful, unconquered and unconquerable citizens that they are destined to become."    Jennifer Barnes, Environmental Protection Agency intern 2004.

This program trains students to become strong, knowledgable leaders for the future. It provides opportunities for a student ambassador to build bridges, one relationship at a time, in an effort to address issues facing the Chickasaw Nation. Internship opportunities are dependent on availability.

• Chickasaw citizenship card (for student)
• Resume with three references
• Copy of latest college transcript
• Letter of recommendation
• Short essay describing student's goals and why he/she is interested in an internship with the Chickasaw Nation
• Law students must be in good standing
• Application (can be obtained at www.chickasaw.net)
• Comprehensive report upon completion of internship

• Must be Chickasaw citizen
• Must be between the ages of 18 and 25
• Must be full-time student enrolled as a sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student in college
• Must have at least a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Must be willing to attend three-day orientation

Fall semester - September 1st
Spring semester - December 1st
Summer semester - April 1st

Internships

• Association of American Indian Physicians 13th Annual Patty Iron Cloud National Native American Youth Initiative
• Get more information about the Native American Political Leadership Program
• Kerr Center Internships – Ada, OK
• The University of Kansas Masters in Public Health Program
• Internship Opportunities at the Smithsonian Institution