Inter-Tribal Council U.S.-Chickasaw/Choctaw settlement, Chickasaw facilities discussed; work of Gov.

This article appeared in the November 2015 edition of the Chickasaw Times

DURANT, Okla. – Governor Bill Anoatubby told the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations were ready to “turn the page and move on” after receiving a $186 million settlement earlier this year. Gov. Anoatubby made the remarks at the Oct. 9 quarterly meeting.

The federal government and the tribes agreed to the settlement to end a lawsuit alleging the government had failed to meet its trust responsibilities to the two nations.

Gov. Anoatubby also praised the federal government for acknowledging that it had failed to meet its responsibilities to the tribes.

“This settlement represents a significant milestone in helping solidify and improve our relationship with the United States,” he said.

The Chickasaw Nation will receive $46.5 million of the settlement funds. Gov. Anoatubby said the Chickasaw Nation planned to invest its portion of the settlement into a fund which will be used to finance future programs and services.  

“We believe this settlement offers a unique opportunity to invest in the futures of our children, our grandchildren, our great-grandchildren and all our Chickasaw generations to come,” he said.

Gov. Anoatubby also paid homage to Governor Emeritus Overton James, who passed away last month at age 90.

“Overton James helped lead the Chickasaw people out from under the control of the federal government into a new era of self-government and self-determination,” Gov. Anoatubby said.

The Chickasaw Nation, he said, will soon complete plans to build new facilities to serve Chickasaws who live in the Oklahoma City metro area.

The tribe has purchased a 50-acre tract of land in northwest Oklahoma City. A senior site and community center are planned for the property.

Gov. Anoatubby mentioned several projects currently under way, including the Ardmore Child Development Center, wellness clinic expansion and senior site in Tishomingo. In Purcell, a new area office and wellness center are under construction, and the health clinic is being expanded.

The full Inter-tribal Council entertained six resolutions. All passed unanimously.

• Supported the nomination of Joe Byrd, Cherokee, as National Congress of American Indians Eastern Region Vice President. Former Chief Byrd is full-blood Cherokee and is bilingual in addition to serving as Cherokee chief from 1995-99.
• Called for a National Day of Prayer, May 6, 2016.
• Voted to establish a Council Youth Committee. The council said it recognized the importance of investing in Native American youth to remove barriers and allow them to take advantage of opportunities and future success.
• Declared unequivocal support for the Indian Child Welfare Act and the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Guidelines and Proposed Regulations serving the best interests of Indian Children. The Council believes the 1978 federal law keeping Indian children with their families and communities is critically important. The resolution urges national and regional organizations support the U.S. Department of Justice and BIA efforts to keep Native American children within the Native American community.
• Called on Congress and specifically Oklahoma lawmakers to respect and advocate for “our rights and interests in our homelands and to respect and protect our Ancestors” as well as those of other “removed” Native Nations and Tribes in their original territories. Specifically, the Council wishes Native Americans be consulted prior to any disturbance or removal of any Native American human remains or funerary objects located on such land and that nothing shall happen without tribal consent.
• Pushed for greater health care for elders and Natives in a resolution term “The Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act.” The Council recognizes Natives – particularly those residing in rural areas – should be treated by pharmacists and non-physician providers under Medicare Part B and make the service providers eligible for reimbursement for services rendered to patients in underserved areas.