Young engineers named top robotics rookies
ATLANTA -An Ada-area team received the National Rookie All Star award in its first year of competition in the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics challenge.

Governor Anoatubby named ‘Tribal Leader of the Year’
SAN DIEGO -Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby was recently selected for the inaugural Native American Finance Officers Association (NAFOA) Tribal Leader of the Year Award.

Visitors reflect on Chickasaw life, Removal during homelands journey
HOMELANDS AREA, Miss. -Gathered in a rather ordinary looking pavilion along the Arkansas River, members of the Chickasaw Committee of Elders and the Language Committee sang a hymn in Choctaw.

Helping others, variety of experience lead to Lighthorse career
Vincent Walters was well established in his career as a machinist instructor. That was before he experienced the thrill of law enforcement. Walters, a 1984 graduate of McAlester (OK) High School, spent his first decade out of high school working at the Kiamichi Technology Center training adult students how to be machinists. During his off-time, he volunteered as a reserve deputy with the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office. That is where he got a glimpse into law enforcement.

Indian poet laureate Momaday recognizes young Chickasaw authors
N.Scott Momaday, renowned Native American author, visited Kingston (OK) High School on March 28 to present the Chickasaw Nation Youth Creative Writing Contest awards to student writers.

Strong business production sets mark at halfway point of year
FINANCIAL REPORT The tribal government caption includes the tribe’s general fund and the tribe’s BIA trust funds. The Chickasaw Businesses include all of the businesses and operations of the Chickasaw Enterprises. Not included in the financial statements are federally or state funded programs and/or grants and the financial statements of Bank 2 and Chickasaw Industries, Inc.

Chickasaw Nation Industries names new president and CEO
Neal McCaleb, chairman of Chickasaw Nation Industries (CNI) Board of Directors, announced last month that Gregg Wadley had been named CNI president and CEO.Mr. Wadley founded Data-Com Sciences, Inc. in 1989. In 2003, the Chickasaw Nation purchased the business and Mr. Wadley was retained as president.

Tribe, Historical Society honored with Addy Awards for creativity
DALLAS -The Chickasaw Nation and the Chickasaw Nation Historical Society were recently recognized at the tenth district Addy Awards event in Dallas.

‘Dynamic Women of the Chickasaw Nation’ share experience, insight; honored for contributions to tribe
ADA, Okla. – Three exceptional citizens of the Chickasaw Nation shared insight and wisdom during the fourth annual Dynamic Women of the Chickasaw Nation Forum, conducted April 10 on the campus of East Central University (ECU) in Ada.

Youngsters display outstanding skills at Native Language Fair
NORMAN, Okla. -A number of Chickasaw students gave full voice to our Chickasaw language during the sixth annual Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair March 31 and April 1 at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman. The students brought home awards in many categories.

Cultural Center plans propelled by citizens
The Chickasaw Cultural Center will provide a place for Chickasaw citizens to learn more about themselves, and the public to learn more about the Chickasaw Nation.

Tribe rallies to support American troops
Citizens of the Chickasaw Nation and the Ada community -both young and old -paused to remember America’s servicemen and women Wednesday, March 26. The ceremony was conducted at Chickasaw Nation headquarters to commemorate the “National Support the Troops and Their Families Day.”

Tribal radio stations honored for public service
OKLAHOMA CITY -Tribally-owned Ada radio stations KADA and KYKC were both honored recently by two different state agencies during an annual broadcasters’ conference in Oklahoma City.

Tribal Microtels, employees honored
Two Chickasaw Nation-owned hotels, along with two hotel employees, have recently been recognized for their exceptional achievements.

Head Start kids enjoy traditions during Cultural Preservation Day
More than 250 Chickasaw Nation Head Start students spent a day immersed in Chickasaw culture during the fifth annual Chickasaw Nation Cultural Preservation Day, April 17 in Sulphur, Okla.

Berna named Museums, Historic Sites director
Chickasaw Nation Division of History and Culture employee Regina Berna was recently named Director of the Museums and Historic Sites for the Chickasaw Nation.

Kids, seniors join‘Green Wave’ celebrating Earth Day
Members of various Chickasaw Nation organizations did their parts to be “green” in preparation for Earth Day, April 22. The Chickasaw Nation Division of Housing and Tribal Development took part in the 1st Annual Reuse-A-Shoe recycling effort.

Pony has a toothache? Call the equine dentist!
The Chickasaw Nation Vocational Rehabilitation program assists hundreds of clients every year. Most clients secure successful employment in traditional and familiar career fields.

Tribe declares ‘Children Brighten Our World’
The Chickasaw Nation celebrated the 2008 Week of the Young Child April 12-19 with several events and activities for Head Start and Child Care students.

March Outstanding Achievement Award recipients

Internships provide great work experience for students
You have your degree. Now what? Do you have the experience needed for employment in your degree field?Work experience plays a major role when employers identify qualified employees. The problem many students face after graduation is having little or no work experience in their chosen field.

Chickasaw students share culture with Siletz youth
Eight Chickasaw high school seniors recently shared culture, history and experiences with students from Northwestern tribes.The tribal Division of Education conducted the first Chickasaw Nation cultural exchange trip for the students March 15-19. The Chickasaw group traveled to Siletz, Oregon and embarked on an educational adventure with the citizens of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz.

Native American Bank reports growing revenue, net income
DENVER -Native American Bank (NAB) today reported strong net income growth for the first quarter of 2008. First quarter 2008 net income equaled $234,000, up 102% from first quarter 2007 net income of $116,000.

WinStar course to host annual Red River Open golf tournament
The Chickasaw Nation’s Win-Star Casinos in Thackerville, Okla., has been selected to host the Red River Open professional golf tournament July 31 through August 2.

Summer youth camps, academies on tap for students
Several deadline to apply for Chickasaw Nation Summer Youth camps and academies are fast approaching. A wide variety of fun camps and clinics are planned for the summer months, so make plans now to attend. The camps and academies are free of charge to Chickasaw youth, and are funded by tribal businesses.

Chickasaw Nation tribal election filing period June 2-4
The Chickasaw Nation Election Commission announces filing period opens June 2 and continues through June 4, 2008 for the 2008 General Elections.

New ramp result of home visit
It only took some lumber and a little more than one day to make daily life a bit easier for one Chickasaw family. During a routine home visit to the Collins household, Head Start teacher Tammy Waltonasked the parents if they needed anything from the tribe. The family’s dilemma was a fairly easy fix: they needed a ramp to their home for their 11-year-old son, Mark, who is confined to a wheelchair.Ms. Walton contacted Melinda Filbeck, a Head Start Family Service worker, who coordinated the project with the Career Development Initiative program.

Chickasaw elder portrait collection on exhibit at Red Earth
OKLAHOMA CITY -A collection of 24 oil paintings brilliantly depicting Chickasaw elders are on exhibition through August 31 at the Red Earth Museum in Oklahoma City. Native Oklahoman and Chickasaw artist Mike Larsen was commissioned by the Chickasaw Nation to capture the elders on canvas featured in “They Know Who They Are.”

OKC Community Council sets July 19 as summer picnic date
The Oklahoma City Metro Chickasaw Community Council met on the first Tuesday of April at 6 p.m. for dinner and had its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. The council provided the wonderful brisket and once again we were blessed with homemade salads, green beans, potatoes, cornbread and desserts! This time to share a meal and visit is priceless to our members. Come join us!

Florida event to offers forum for tribal business issues, presidential candidates
A first-ever gathering of American Indian Nations featuring a trans-global conference of tribal leaders to be held at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, on August 20-23 has been announced by the Native American Chamber of Commerce in Houston. Some 3,000 Indians from the U.S and Canada are expected to celebrate this event in dance, song, sports, food and golf.

Council hears of program to promote Chickasaw business; members at conference
The Oklahoma City Metro Chickasaw Community Council met on the first Tuesday of March at 6 p.m. for dinner and had its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. The council provided the smoked ham and once again we were blessed with homemade salads, green beans, potatoes, cornbread and desserts! This time to share a meal and visit is priceless to our members.

Council of Elders assists in Lakota language efforts, Southeastern exhibits
At the December 2007 meeting, elders were told about the Oceti Wakan Lakota language program on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Given a small grant to define native speakers: only 2% of the young people spoke the Lakota language, yet 58% of people age 50 and over speak Lakota. Immediately, elders in every household were asked to start speaking only Lakota to the children.

Ada Council hears of history, Cultural Center from administrator
The Ada Chickasaw Community Council conducted its monthly meeting Thursday, April 17, at the Marie Bailey Building in Ada, Okla. After a pot luck dinner, Pat Cox, president of the council introduced the guest speaker, Amanda Cobb-Gretham, Ph.D, Administrator of the Chickasaw Nation History, Research and Scholarship Department.

Inland Chickasaws visit injured servicemen
On March 12, 2008, Lodean Casey (Grandaughter Roda Mae Kemp), Bobbie Murrell and their spouses visited injured Marines and injured sailors at the Wounded Warriors Battalion West Barracks at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California.

Texas Councils conducting regular fundraisers
The Chickasaw Community Councils of Central and South Texas met jointly on April 13, 2008 to enjoy a potluck dinner.The highlight was to hear three of the Chickasaw Legislators talk about what they feel are their roles in the Chickasaw Nation and to answer the questions of the At-Large Chickasaws gathered. It was an opportunity for the citizens to hear the legislators first handand to speak to them on a one-on-one basis.

Wichita Council plans family history project
A push is on to find connections with the past for families of members of the Chickasaw Community Council of Wichita, Kan.The Council’s historian, Fran Elliott, showed a book she has started on the genealogy of members during a presentation at the April 20 meeting. James Green, military historian, also stated that he had a book ready for military men and women to add their information.

Homebound Nutrition a lifeline for many citizens
“When you can’t take care of yourself, you really, really appreciate those who go out of their way to help you.”Patricia Greenlee, of Ada, Okla., sums up why employees of the Chickasaw Nation Division of Aging Homebound Nutrition Services program work day after day to provide homebound elders nutritious lunches.

‘Road to Work’ program to offer Ada/Goldsby shuttle bus routes
An exciting new program, offered by the Chickasaw Nation Transportation Department, is scheduled to be launched early next month.

Foundation scholarships growing; helping undergrads and graduate students
Established in 1971, the Chickasaw Nation Foundation continues to fulfill its mission to promote the general welfare and culture of the Chickasaw people by supporting educational, health, historical and community activities and programs.

Foundation officers attend conference
Johnna R. Walker, Executive Director, and Tracie Carter, Special Projects Coordinator for the Chickasaw Foundation,attended the 44th International Conference of the Association of Fundraising Professionals on March 29 through April 2 in San Diego. Mrs. Walker and Ms. Carter are both members of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and currently sit on the Oklahoma chapter board.

Chickasaw Foundation announces new scholarships
The Chickasaw Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of four new scholarships this year.• The Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Scholarship – In Memory of Special Agent Patrick Flickinger

Chickasaw Foundation Celebrates National Volunteer Week April 27 – May 3, 2008
National Volunteer Week was created in 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing theweek as an annual celebration of volunteering, Every year since that time, each U.S. president, along with many governors, mayors and other elected officials, has signed a proclamation promoting National Volunteer Week.

Meagan Melton promoted to administrative assistant
The Chickasaw Foundation is pleased to announce the promotion of Ms. Meagan Kathleen Melton to administrative assistant.Meagan began in May 2007 as a summer youth participant and advanced to an administrativeaide in February.

Mary Reed joins Foundation as administrative assistant
The Chickasaw Foundation Upward Bound office would like to welcome Ms. Mary Reed as the new administrative assistant.Mary has been a resident of Durant for 20 years, but plans to move to Tishomingo this summer. She has one daughter, Diana, 22.

Kennedy Brown serves as chairman of the Chickasaw Foundation
Mr. Kennedy Brown is the chairman of the Chickasaw Foundation, and has served on the Board since February 1995. He is a special assistant to Governor Bill Anoatubby of the Chickasaw Nation, and a former LieutenantGovernor.

Kathryn Robertson is March Student of the Month
The Chickasaw Foundation recently established the Chickasaw Foundation Student of the Month program to recognize and honor students who display the following characteristics: good citizenship, respectful to peers and program staff, program participation, leadership qualities, positive attitude, demonstrates responsibility, community service participation, cultural/tribal activities participation and demonstrates a positive academic work ethic.

Chickasaw Foundation Upward Bound
The Chickasaw Foundation Upward Bound & Upward Bound Math/Science students monthly meeting was a trip to Norman for a baseball game between the University of Oklahoma and Western Illinois University at L. Dale Mitchell Park.

More Native children in need of nurturing foster care
The Chickasaw Nation Foster Care program, Chepota Apisi Chi Li, is in need of Chickasaw families to open their hearts and homes to foster children.

Youth Council members connect during remote retreat
Seventeen members of the Chickasaw Nation Youth Council spent a weekend in April building closer relationships with one another during a Youth Retreat, conducted April 4-5 in remote Quinton, Okla.

Children, parents, tribe gather to celebrate ‘Week of the Young Child’
The 2008 Children’s Fair was conducted from 10 a.m to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 19 at the Pontotoc County Agri-Plex.More than 1,800 people attended this year’s event. The event celebrates the Week of the Young Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Prescription refills through automated system now available
The Chickasaw Nation Pharmacy Refill Center opened just over a year ago and has seen great results in this short period of time. With the addition of recently developed services, more patients can benefit from the pharmacy.

Exercise is key to improving health and reducing diabetes risk
Summertime is fast approaching and many are taking the opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air and warm weather. Did you know many of your outdoor tasks count as exercise? Walking, gardening, doing yard work, cleaning house, playing fetch with your dog and anything else that increases your heart rate count as exercise.

Chickasaw Nation WIC program announcement
The Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC) is a nutrition program offered by the Chickasaw Nation. WIC Clinics are located in Ada, Ardmore, Tishomingo, Sulphur, Pauls Valley, Purcell and Duncan.

International medical professionals visit CNHS; discuss infection control, public health education
Five international health care professionals visited Carl Albert Indian Health Facility (CAIHF) April 21 to discuss various issues related to rural health care including infectious diseases and Native American populations, public health education and reporting and the role of the media.

Ribbons tied by children alert citizens to child abuse issues
As a part of Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, the Chickasaw Nation Department of Family Advocacy and Youth Services sponsored a ribbon tying project throughout the City of Ada.

Tribal Boys and Girls Clubs offer summer food program
The Chickasaw Nation Boys and Girls Clubs in Chickasha, Sulphur and Tishomingo will participate in the USDA Summer Food Service Program. Through this program, breakfast and lunch or a snack will be provided to all children without charge each weekday the club is open.

Tribe invests to inspire youth interested in science, technology
When For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) founder Dean Kamen was in high school he literally lifted his parents’ house off its foundation.