Governor Bill Anoatubby
Celebrate Chickasaw perseverance, victories during Heritage Month
By Bill Anoatubby, Governor, Chickasaw Nation
Chokma,
We treasure the culture, history and heritage that has been passed down to us by our ancestors.
Celebrating Native American Heritage Month provides us the opportunity to gain a deeper knowledge about our own Chickasaw history, heritage and culture and share our rich and colorful story with others.
We remember that Chickasaws and other First Americans shaped civilization on this continent long before Europeans arrived in our Homelands.
Chickasaw culture includes visual art, music, dance, stories, spirituality, food, families, hospitality, entrepreneurship, and relationships.
Throughout history, our ability to adapt and persevere has allowed us to thrive despite great challenges. Together, we have won many battles on the battlefield and in courtrooms. Together, we have overcome unpopular opinion and the push to assimilate, defying the odds and conquering stereotypes. Our people are innovators, creators, entrepreneurs, discoverers and originators.
We have many stories to share, and we endeavor to do so in a variety of ways.
Another important facet of our culture is the Chickasaw warrior tradition. From the Revolutionary War to World War I and World War II, Vietnam, and up through today, brave Chickasaw warriors have been part of every major war in which the United States has been involved.
Chickasaws are part of a long history of First Americans serving in the U.S. armed forces at a higher percentage than any other ethnic group in America. Our warrior tradition extends far beyond fighting on the battlefield. Warriors are committed to defending and preserving our rights and our way of life.
Established in 2015, the Chickasaw Warrior Society was organized to honor the Chickasaw warrior spirit and to promote a greater sense of community and camaraderie among our veterans.
We pay our respects to the warriors who have served to protect us and preserve our way of life through a virtual Chickasaw Veterans Wall at Chickasaw.net/VeteransWall, which is designed to encourage us to pause and remember those warriors who have passed, those who have served, and those service members defending our country today.
Generations of Chickasaws have built a foundation of self-determination through planning, perseverance, and commitment.
Our goal is to continue building on that foundation in a manner that pays respect to our history, heritage and culture while opening new opportunities for our children and grandchildren.
This month, please embrace opportunities to learn about our incredible culture and heritage and join me in thanking all our veterans for their service.