Governor Bill Anoatubby
Season's Greetings
By Bill Anoatubby, Governor, Chickasaw Nation
Season’s greetings and warmest holiday wishes from all of us at the Chickasaw Nation!
During this sacred season we reflect on all the blessings bestowed by God. We are especially thankful for our families, our friends and our tribe.
Over the generations, faith has guided the Chickasaw people. All Chickasaws share a very special bond that has been forged in the fires of tremendous challenge. Throughout our journey, we have been blessed by the Almighty, and by the innumerable sacrifices of Chickasaw generations that came before us. With God’s grace, our people have survived and flourished.
Our modern world can present challenges to our traditions of family unity and harmony. This Christmas season, we extend prayers of goodwill for all our Chickasaw families.
We pray for all our military men and women, wherever they serve, and for our Chickasaw veterans who have served our country so honorably.
We honor and revere our Chickasaw elders, the rocks of our tribe. It is our elders who keep our fires of tradition burning bright. For them, we wish all the good things that make this season special.
We pray a special blessing for the lives of our Chickasaw children. It is the little children who offer simple faith, and who will grow to become leaders of our tribe.
There are many among us who have faced sorrow and loss in their lives. This season’s message of love, peace and charity should lead us to offer understanding and compassion to those who are grieving.
We are commanded to love our God, and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Our prayer is that we answer the call when the opportunity comes to help our fellow man.
For each of us, as Chickasaws, we give great thanks for the many blessings bestowed on our tribe. The season of peace and fullness of spirit has arrived! God bless you, your family and our beloved Chickasaw Nation!