TISHOMINGO, OKLA. – During his Oct. 2 state of the nation address, Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby pointed to the opening of a new hospital and cultural center and the purchase of Remington Park as examples that “the state of the Chickasaw Nation is strong.”

Delivering the address to more than 1,000 in Fletcher Auditorium and adjacent overflow tent on Murray State Campus, Gov. Anoatubby gave much of the credit for the tribe’s success to “talented, hard-working staff.”

“Progress doesn’t happen by chance. It happens because people set their minds to it, they work hard and they persevere,” said Gov. Anoatubby. “That is what is happening in the Chickasaw Nation.”

Economic Development

Gov. Anoatubby pointed out that the tribe is “financially strong” because of diligent fiscal management efforts.

“Despite a challenging economic environment, the Chickasaw Nation business enterprises continued to perform well by aggressively controlling costs and implementing creative new strategies to gain market share,” said Gov. Anoatubby. “In an economic climate that has not been conducive to much business growth, our tribe is doing very, very well.

Chickasaw Nation owned Bank2 had its best year ever in 2009. Bank2 earned record profits and made more than $188 million in loans last year, most of those in the form of home loans to Native Americans..

Tribal business entity Global Gaming Solutions’ purchase of Remington Park racetrack and casino in January of this year has proven to be a good investment, according to Gov. Anoatubby. He said that substantial improvements to the facility have resulted in “unmatched financial performance in virtually every aspect of the business.”

Health Care

Those prudent management strategies also extend to tribal services, according to Gov. Anoatubby.

“We have exercised caution in our spending during these tight economic times, while still doing the business that we are here to do -- serve you,” he told the audience. “Not a single tribal service was cut back, nor did a single tribal employee lose their job because of the recession.”

Opening of the 370,000 square foot Chickasaw Nation Medical Center is one example. The tribe expects to see a $500 million return on the $145 million in tribal funds invested in its construction.

Because the medical center was constructed under the auspices of the Indian Health Service Joint Venture Program, the IHS will provide up to $25 million in additional funds for each of the next 20 years for staffing and operation costs of the facility.

Education

There are more Chickasaws in higher and technical education than ever before, said Gov. Anoatubby, adding that the tribe has awarded more grants and scholarships to Chickasaw students than ever, surpassing the $11 million awarded last year.

“Financial barriers are one of the most difficult problems for students to overcome,” said Gov. Anoatubby. “We are dedicated to financially assisting any Chickasaw who has the will and determination to pursue higher or additional education.”

Apartments for Chickasaw interns were completed earlier this year, and a new science, technology and math building is expected to be complete next month.  

Investments in culture and the arts

Gov. Anoatubby said that opening of the Chickasaw Cultural Center was “an amazing milestone” for the tribe, adding “it is vital to our progress that we continue to create new works to carry our culture into the next generation.”

More than 14,000 people have visited the cultural center since it opened July 24. With more than 96,000 square feet of indoor space on 109 acres, the center utilizes the latest technology, live demonstrations, ancient artifacts and natural outdoor spaces to tell the Chickasaw story.

“Chickasaw Renaissance,” the first book-length history of the cultural and political resurgence of the Chickasaw Nation in the 20th century, was published by the Chickasaw Press.

A CD featuring the works of Chickasaw student composers performed by the renowned New York based ETHEL String Quartet, was released this summer. OSHTALI’ (divide into four parts) is the first classical music album in history to feature only works of Native American students.

A production showcasing tribal culture, Lowak Shoppala (fire and light) premiered to more than 2,000 people in November, 2009.

Looking to the future

While this was the 50th Chickasaw Annual Meeting, with the theme “Legacy of our journey,” Governor Anoatubby urged his listeners to look toward the future. He mentioned several projects currently under development.

Ground will be broken for the new Artesian Hotel in Sulphur, Okla. later this month. The original Artesian, completed in 1906, was summer home for Oklahoma’s first Governor, C.N. Haskell. The historic landmark drew many famous visitors to downtown Sulphur for more than five decades, including movie stars such as John Wayne, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.

While the Artesian will bear a striking resemblance the original, the new hotel will be a state-of-the-art facility, complete with conference accommodations, restaurant, span and indoor/outdoor swimming pool.


“We believe this new facility will mark a new era in the development of Chickasaw Nation tourism and hospitality businesses,” said Gov. Anoatubby.


An independent living complex for seniors is expected to be complete in Ardmore this fall. Four units with two apartments each will be located within walking distance of nutrition services, health clinic, wellness center, senior site and area office. 


“Pearl,” the first feature-length film produced by the Chickasaw Nation will be available for purchase on DVD next month.


An online network of high-definition television channels devoted to Chickasaw news, tourism, arts, history and culture will launch January 1, 2011.


Other new programs and services are also under development.


“We are committed to continuing our mission into the next 50 years,” said Gov. Anoatubby. “We picture every Chickasaw child receiving a quality education and striving toward a dream of his or her making, every elder well cared for living a quality independent life, every Chickasaw family in a warm safe, home.


“All of these things can be a reality if we keep pushing forward, if we maintain our commitment to our people and persevere just as our ancestors did, just as we always have, then this will be our future.”