Building partnerships for the common good

Throughout the history of the Chickasaw Nation, working together for the common good of the community has been essential to the Chickasaw people. Today, collaboration and partnership play integral parts in our efforts to grow safe and strong communities for our citizens, employees and others residing within our treaty territory. We regularly work with likeminded agencies, organizations and businesses that share our vision of progress for the communities in which we live and work.

These partnerships have been vital to the success and impact of many of our programs, services and community service efforts. Grant partnerships with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, have assisted our work to integrate mental health services into all levels of our health care system.

Over the past decade, we have dedicated significant resources to eliminating the stigma of mental health issues and providing more access to mental health support services in our communities. Partnerships with various nonprofits and other entities throughout the Chickasaw Nation and beyond have also helped to provide access to important mental health services to make a lasting impact on Oklahomans of all ages.

Furthermore, collaborations on infrastructure improvements and water planning partnerships with local, state and federal agencies, as well as civic organizations, have been crucial to the ecological stewardship and economic growth of communities throughout south-central Oklahoma.

Partnerships on such projects serve to enhance water sustainability efforts in many of our rural communities. These projects boost the local economy and contribute to the overall vitality of these communities.

Additionally, partnerships with local school districts, as well as state colleges and universities, offer immense opportunities for positive educational outcomes for Chickasaw and other students. Partnerships to support capital projects and various educational programs at East Central University, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, University of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Community College and more promote the success of these institutions and the students they serve.

Over the years, compacts have been fundamental tools to preserve Chickasaw self-governance and sovereignty in areas where our geographic boundaries and jurisdictions may overlap with the State of Oklahoma. Compacts, including tobacco and vehicle license tags, like the many before them, are examples of exercising our sovereignty through sound intergovernmental agreements that allow us to work productively with the state for the benefit of tribal and non-tribal residents.

History has taught us that cooperation benefits and impacts those we serve far more than we could by acting alone. We will continue to work with our partners for the betterment of the Chickasaw people, Chickasaw Nation employees and our entire state, because we know what can be accomplished when we work together.

We have a long and important history of collaboration and working together to ensure our collectively bright future, and we will continue in this important and beneficial endeavor.