Governor Bill Anoatubby

• Good morning!
  
  It is a great day in the Chickasaw Nation!
• What a wonderful day the Lord has given us to gather and celebrate all that is Chickasaw!
• What do you think about our mistress of ceremonies? Isn’t she doing a great job! Thank you Lisa.
• Family…
• It is good to see Congressman Tom Cole in the audience, thank you for being here.
• Representative Wes Hilliard and Representative Phil Richardson…
• Jeannette Hanna, the BIA Regional Director and Traile Glory, the Chickasaw Agency Superintendent.
• Charles Blackwell, our ambassador, it is good to see you too. Ambassador Blackwell recently received the National Lifetime Achievement Award for Minority Business Development. Charles, you make us proud!
• (Anyone else in audience)
  Mayor Carol Hausauer
• Our hearts go out to Representative Ray McCarter who lost his son in an automobile accident this week. Please keep Representative McCarter and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
• I want to take this time to thank the staff who had a part in this week’s activities. Thank you for your hard work.
• We have had a busy week…
• Jr. Olympics, golf tournament and softball tournament began last Saturday, which kicked off the festivities.
• The Southeastern Art Show and Market art show was held this week. The winners were Scott Roberts, Chief Jerry Haney, and two fellow Chickasaws Brent Greenwood and Wayne Walker. Congratulations to them.
• The Chickasaw Princess Pageant was held Monday evening – we have 3 more beautiful and talented ladies filling those positions. Jaisen Monetathchi our Chickasaw Princess, Chickasaw Junior Miss Catie Newport and Alexis Walker our Little Miss Chickasaw.
• Cultural Evening was on Tuesday, the fellowship during this evening was wonderful.
• The Arts and Cultural Awards Ceremony was Thursday evening. Jerod Tate, Amanda Cobb, Lona Barrick and all who helped with the event did great!
  Congratulations to:
  • Representative Lisa Billy who received the Dynamic Chickasaw Woman of the Year,
  • Stanley Smith who received the Silver Feather Award,
  • Matthew DeSpain and Patrick Kennedy who are co-recipients of the Heritage Preservation award for Best Article
  • Joshua Hinson who received the Heritage Preservation award for Best Thesis
  • Aaron Long and Stephanie Scott who received the Chickasaw Historical Society Service Award
• Cultural tours and demonstrations have been given throughout the week. I personally joined my grandson, Brendan, on one of the tours and it was fantastic! I promised to take him back to the museum today.

State of the Nation – Opening

• This morning, we rest assured knowing that the Chickasaw Nation is the strongest it has ever been in modern times.
• Since we gathered here one year ago, the number of Chickasaws pursuing their educations and going on to earn their degrees is higher than ever before, our economy is strong, employment opportunities here and around the country have grown.
• Today, we are working to provide opportunities for each Chickasaw to meet his or her dreams.
• We now have even more resources to work with.
• We have opened new facilities across our great nation designed specifically for Chickasaws.
• New services and new opportunities in every area are opening doors for Chickasaws across the United States.
• This is a time of growth and progress.
• We continue working… We continue, together, to build this great nation.

Reflection on the Past 100 years

• You saw the video that was presented this morning.
• We felt it was important that during the celebration of the state’s centennial that we reflect on the relationship between the Chickasaw Nation and the state of Oklahoma.
• While, we do not forget the trials and tribulations that Chickasaw people – that all Indian people have endured, we have made this our home.
• This is where we live, where our children go to school, where we build our future
• Our relationship is continuing to improve….we are forging good partnerships with and within the State of Oklahoma
• By working together, by learning about and understanding each other’s unique set of circumstances, we can all thrive and succeed.

United We Thrive

Significance

• We believe that together, we accomplish more
• When we are united and unified in our purpose, in our goals, then we will stay on course to enhance the overall quality of life of the Chickasaw people.
• United We Thrive - a simple phrase with so much meaning.
• United in purpose, 100 years ago, Chickasaws fought to remain an independent nation.
• On the brink of statehood, Chickasaws demonstrated their tenacity and their perseverance by constructing a capitol building.
• Their work was met with the impending statehood of Oklahoma and the Chickasaw Nation was thought to be no more.
• They didn’t really know the determination of Chickasaw people…
• Making the best of what had been thrust upon us and determined to protect our interests, Governor Douglas Johnston fought for the rights and interests of the Chickasaw people.
• He traveled near and far, petitioning and working to hold officials accountable to the tribe.
• Chickasaw people did not give in. We did not quit being Chickasaw because we were told we did not have a government.
• Chickasaw is who we are.
• As the years past, Chickasaws continued to meet, keeping our heritage, culture and nation alive….
• A group of Chickasaw leaders, again, united in purpose and in their beliefs that there was more to come for the Chickasaw people, gathered to begin petitioning for the right of the Chickasaw people to elect their own Governor…our innate rights to govern ourselves
• Working, lobbying, meeting and never giving up, our leaders united together for the betterment of our nation.
• Over the years, Chickasaws have not always agreed, but we have always worked for a better way of life.
• Today, we unite to continue in the protection of our sovereign rights…today, we carry on the torch passed to us to improve the lives of Chickasaw people.
• “United We Thrive”, the phrase is simple…yet it is strong.
• It is true for our government, for our people, for our employees and our leaders ----as we work to meet our goals, united we will thrive….we will continue to accomplish great things.
• Two strands are stronger than one – a nation unified for the common good is stronger than the individual who stands alone.
• You see a symbol imprinted on the festival material and t-shirts, this symbol is a representation of a bond – something we use to identify the phrase and feel connected.
• The symbol you see is a representation of that – something we can use to identify the phrase and feel connected…
• The ribbons represent the unbreakable bond that originated from our past, circulates throughout our present and stretches towards our future.

How it impacts each Chickasaw

• We, are a team…you and I, and all, are part of this team
• Since we were first elected to serve the Chickasaw people, we have been listening to your input, developing a plan and putting it into action
• Much of what has been accomplished is because your voice was heard and was followed.
• We is the key word to our success
• This is a day for celebration – we are blessed by what has been accomplished.
• We celebrate, we plan for the future – we strive for success.
• We remain vigilant in the protection of our sovereignty – it is not a right that we can take for granted.
• The foundation for our success today was laid by those Chickasaws who came before us – those who met at Seeley Chapel, those who petitioned congress, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and other Chickasaws to join our cause and unite for the purpose of having a government
• Chickasaws can be proud of the leadership provided by those who came before us. We can be thankful for the foundation they laid that has allowed us to build the nation we have today.

Progress Report – Governor Anoatubby and Administrators

• This has been a year of accomplishment.
• Bedre Chocolates launched new product lines in Neiman Marcus and Hard Rock Hotels across the United States
• Riverwind opened and is doing well.
• Overall, our businesses are doing great.
• Because of that success, the businesses are providing the funding it takes to operate our government, and the services and opportunities we now enjoy.
• Last year saw the first class of the Chickasaw Language Immersion Program – at the Ada Head Start for children ages 3-5.
• Students were immersed in the language 17 hours of each week.
• More than 150 Chickasaws shared memories, renewed friendships and honored loved ones during the historic Chickasaw School Days Reunion this summer.
• The Chickasaw School Days Reunion was held to honor and remember those Chickasaws who attended or are attending boarding schools….we laughed, reminisced and appreciated those times…
• Many of you have expressed the need for places to gather with friends and family – in response to that need, we opened two, new and much needed Community Centers
• The Community Centers in Marshall County and in Ada, are both spacious enough to accommodate our Chickasaw families.
• Both places also have some fun, physical activity options as well.
• As always, health continues to be a number one priority in our nation.
• In March, we commemorated the opening of the Pharmacy Refill Center on the campus of Carl Albert Indian Health Facility.
• A staff of 16 pharmacists and 16 pharmacy technicians at the 11,000 square foot facility are expected to fill approximately 500,000 prescriptions each year.
• This facility will allow for mail order pharmaceutical services to Chickasaws living across the United States.
• Health care availability, the quality of that health care and the health of our people are improving.
• Awareness programs designed to educate and prevent illness are helping to lower the incidence of diabetes in the Chickasaw Nation.
• This past year, the health division hosted health food preparation classes around the nation.
• Dedicated to providing education and stamping out diabetes and other illnesses that plague our people, the health system hosts numerous education classes, diabetes camp, wellness programs, Camp Survivor and awareness initiatives to educate and better prepare Chickasaws to make healthier lifestyle choices
• In July, we opened a new wellness Center in Tishomingo.
• The wellness center provides fantastic, state of the art wellness opportunities for Chickasaws.
• Plans call for swimming pools to be added to both the Tishomingo and Ardmore Wellness Centers.

Leadership Team – Organizational Structure

• It takes all of us to accomplish the great things that are being done in the Chickasaw Nation.
• Today, we couldn’t possibly address all the accomplishments and blessings we have received this year…but, you will be able to read more about each one specifically in the Annual Progress Report that will be mailed out early next year.
• It takes the dedication of many people, to assess the needs of our nation, and develop those needs into plans of action.
• Leading that team is a group of highly qualified and dedicated administrators.
• Each is charged with a particular area of responsibility, but they work together to accomplish the ultimate mission of enhancing the overall quality of life of Chickasaw people.
• This morning, we have changed our format.
• You can meet them and hear from them about progress within their respective division.
• The screens over my shoulder will display a little more detail about each person as they are introduced.
• Many of our team members are not always quite as visible as others and many of our employees play support roles in the organization – making it possible to construct buildings, staff positions, pay employees or establish rules and guidelines.

Governor:

• Meet Jalinda – administrative services… Kirk - policies and standards… Jenny - treasury… Deanna - legal….
• Each of these individuals perform vital functions for our operations
• They will be sharing with us the state of our nation….

Jalinda:

• This year, the Chickasaw Nation assisted in issuing more that 3,000 CDIBs and over 3800 Chickasaw Citizenships.
• Our employee team increases each week as we add new jobs to accommodate our growth in services.
• Career development is so important to us and to maintaining a highly qualified work force… Training and career development opportunities are available to all employees.
• We offer hundreds of classes and seminars every year, to help employees achieve greater success in their current positions as well as providing opportunities for future advancement.
• We commit a lot of time and energy to advancing our information technology….Tools provided by the IT department, assist all divisions in providing fast, efficient and accurate information and services to all Chickasaw citizens.

Kirk:

• DILIGENT ENSURING DECISION-MAKING GUIDELINES IN PLACE
• FOCUS COMMITMENT ON PEOPLE THRU stand, uniform & consist
• SO Chickasaws feel CONFIDENT in DECISIONS make as nation
• COMPREHENSIVE LIBRARY PPF includes Travel, dress, equip, conduct
• THESE RELECT RESPECT for BOTH…
• MAINTAINING GUIDELINES & FOLLOWING OVERSIGHT PROCEDURES
• ENSURES WE INCREASE DEGREE ACCOUNTABILITY
• FOR PROPER STEWARDSHIP

Jenny:

• We are happy to report that our economy is strong.
• Tribal revenues are projected to continue to grow this year… and our operations budget doubled from last year as a result of the increase in services and opportunities available to Chickasaw people.
• We continue to seek new funding opportunities… During 2007 we have submitted grants for more than $10 million dollars in additional funding.
• We have an excellent staff that recognizes the importance of maintaining our financial controls to ensure we have accurate and reliable financial information to appropriately budget our resources and continue to expand our service to the Chickasaw people.
• One important responsibility we have each year is the preparation of the consolidated financial statement for the Chickasaw Nation and the independent audit of those statements….
• On behalf of the treasury staff, I am proud to say that we have again received an unqualified opinion from KPMG for our 2006 fiscal year.

Governor:

• Jenny, can you explain more about an independent audit and an unqualified opinion?

Jenny:

• The independent audit is the annual audit of the Chickasaw Nation’s consolidated financial statements. It is conducted by an external audit firm, KPMG, a nationally recognized accounting firm.
• The auditors from KPMG review and test our internal controls, processes and transactions.
• At the end of their test work and review, they issue either an unqualified or qualified opinion…
• A qualified opinion means the auditors cannot attest to the accuracy of an organization’s financial statements.
• An unqualified opinion means the financial statements are fairly presented and can be relied upon. The independent audit is time and labor intensive, but it is an important measure for us to have independent review of our systems and processes.
• We take very seriously our responsibility to protect and account for the resources of the Chickasaw Nation.

Deanna:

• and Governor… we work diligently each day to protect the sovereignty of the Chickasaw Nation…
• By negotiating special language in all our dealings…
  and by pursuing an accounting of trust assets from the federal government.
• … We also hosted the first Improving Justice for Native American Youth Conference.
• … And we are actively involved in offering employee training, community education and rehabilitation services for troubled youth.

Governor:

• Thank you…
• We have long been dedicated to providing opportunities to strengthen our families and the individual. Healthy families make up the very foundation of a healthy and strong nation.
• Jay Keel oversees our youth and family division which is charged with this responsibility

Jay:

• Governor, once again the Chickasaw Nation has put action behind its words of support for the family.
• This past year we opened an office in Oklahoma City so that we can better serve Chickasaws in that area with some of our healthy family initiatives.
• Also, I am happy to report that the students at the Children's Village achieved a campus-wide GPA of 3.04 and our 7 graduates all graduated with a 3.3 or above.
• This year we added a Gun Violence Prevention Clinic to the almost 20 camps that involved nearly 1,000 Chickasaw youth and the Martial Arts program served over 1,000 students per month at its 7 different sites.
• In addition, the school Clothing Grant program provided grants to more than 5,000 students across the United States.

Governor:

• That sounds great…

Jay:

• We are just getting started…
• We are in the research and development stages on an adolescent substance abuse and mental health treatment center.
• This center will be a critical component of our goal to develop the most effective Family Resource System in Indian Country.
• This system will develop and utilize best practices to help Chickasaw family life become everything it should be.
• We also have plans in the works for an Outdoor Recreational Campus located on 80 acres near the Family Life Center in Ada.
• Plans for the complex include a gymnasium, tennis courts, basketball courts, areas for softball, soccer and volleyball as well as a walking and running track.

Governor:

• Thank you, Jay.
• Providing tools and opportunities for people to grow and develop is important in all areas.
• Probably, more apparent in the division of education, are opportunities for Chickasaws of all ages to explore new fields of study, and make choices and follow a path to help them reach their dreams.
• We have focused a lot of our resources on educational opportunities for Chickasaws….here to tell us a little more about the accomplishments of the past year is Lisa John.

Lisa:

• Governor, the number of Chickasaws that are taking advantage of our educational programs is higher than ever before.
• Chickasaws are enrolled in every field of study from vocational training, to professional degrees like medicine, law, engineering and business.
• More than $7 million tribal dollars were distributed last year in the form of scholarships and grant opportunities…
• More than 1,000 perfect attendance awards…
• More than 300 laptop scholarships and more than 2,300 text book scholarships…
• Our Head Start and child care children are being introduced to the Chickasaw language during class and in an after-school language immersion program. We will also begin a language club for children later this month.
• For our Chickasaws Living at Large, we provided more opportunities to access our programs like high reach curriculum, tutoring assistance and reading programs.
• In addition to CNASA, we took a group of youth to Johnson Space Center so they could experience space school first hand. The kids competed in a robotics competition and amazed the NASA staff with their innovative thinking and creativity.
• This month, we should see the completion of the Sick Child Care Center, which is one of the first of its kind.
• Children who are mildly ill will be able to go to the sick child care center instead of having to go home – resulting in less time away from work for their parents.

Governor:

• Thank you, Lisa.
• Education, interaction and most definitely fun are important at any age…the ones who probably have the most fun and teach us to enjoy life are the Chickasaw elders.
• Working with our elders and providing them venues to meet and fellowship is Karen Cook…

Karen:

• Governor, this has been a great year for the division on aging.
• Over 650 elders receive a nutritious meal daily at the 10 senior sites across the Chickasaw Nation and…
• The seniors in Duncan are anxious for their site which will open later this year.
• The new site will be much like the others… it will have a large dining room, arts and crafts area, computers and a place to play games and visit.
• We also follow the health and wellness initiative of the Chickasaw Nation with our exercise and Wisdom Walkers programs.
• We continue to help our elders stay in their homes as long as possible by providing light housekeeping and minor home repairs for those that no longer able to do the work themselves.
• But, when an elder is no longer able to stay in their home, we offer financial assistance for an assisted living facility – of their choice - within our service area.
• We also have other programs such as Burial Supplemental Assistance Program, Veterans Jackets and Over the Counter medications, just to name a few.
• We have logged more than 20,000 miles on the road this year going to the Homelands, Branson and many other places…
• At the sites all you have to do is say the word “GO” and they’re loaded and waiting. The only question they ask is “where are we going to eat.”

Governor:

• Thank you, Karen.
• The senior sites provide a great, friendly environment for our seniors to gather.
• Also, providing vital services to our elders…and all Chickasaw people….
  are Tom, Stanley and Pat.
• Tom John oversees the division of self-governance and the Lighthorse Police Department.

Tom:

• Governor, the safety of our nation is improving thanks to the dedicated officers of the Lighthorse Police Department…
• To aid in our efforts, the LPD has expanded its staff, implemented a computer-aided dispatch and records management system as well as a satellite communications system…
• Our drug dogs not only continue to fight to drug crime, but also serve as excellent educational ambassadors at our local schools, community councils and senior sites…
• The LPD also continues to collaborate with other law enforcement agencies within the Chickasaw Nation to provide the highest possible level of protection and service to our citizens…

Stanley:

• Aiding in that effort is our emergency management team and the Chickasaw Rangers….the Chickasaw Rangers patrol and police designated Chickasaw lands to ensure good stewardship of our resources and protection of those who use the land…
• Providing much needed lawn care services to our elders is our School-to-Work landscaping program.
• The program provides Chickasaws a full time job while they obtain a degree or vocational training…we have experience great success – 2 of our students have already graduated from East Central University and 8 students have received their GED.
• This group is responsible for more than 700 lawns …and the program has only been in progress for 1½ years.

Pat:

• We are proud to announce great progress as well...
• Our division of program operations has 6 area offices throughout the Chickasaw Nation service area and we now offer 18 programs and services to our people.
• We provide employment and training, utility assistance… in fact, this past year, we provided over 2,000 Chickasaw elders living here and at large with utility payments.
• We also employed over 650 summer youth this year.
• Another much needed service we provide is transportation of our people to and from medical appointments at the tribal clinics and the hospital and dialysis.
• We have distributed more than 500 new computers to Chickasaws
• In our new Career Development Initiative program, more than 100 Chickasaws with barriers to employment, have been given an opportunity to work, as well as go to life skills training, budgeting, and GED classes.
• Ten have received their GED. These employees have also provided weatherization services to more than 400 homes.
• We are growing… and continuing to serve… and we are proud to say our nation is strong.

Governor:

• Thank you for the reports.
• Our horticulture program, the Career Development Initiative, Landscaping School-to-Work – all of these programs provide great employment and educational opportunities, while at the same time meeting much needed services for Chickasaw people….
• Health has been - and continues to be - a priority for us.
• We continue to grow and extend our services…optometry services were added in Purcell…Saturday dental clinics allow Chickasaw more timely dental services…we signed a contract with the Oklahoma Cancer Center to provide cancer management for our patients….
• Pharmaceutical services were extended to Chickasaws who reside at large...
• Also, we initiated the health savings account and eye glasses benefit for those citizens at large…
• Health continues to be a need…we have accomplished much and we continue to work…
• Bill…what’s next?

Bill:

• Building “state of the art”. Serve the needs for years to come
• Simply outgrown
• To put that in perspective
• We have limited inpatient bed capacity
• I am a visual person. Three times as large
• Chickasaw Nation can be proud
• Creation of the new will add 300 which will positively impact
• # of doctors and nurses
• Because of your input
• Currently 10, new 31
• Creation of the new hospital expand existing and add
• Technology will be a priority
• To help address spiritual needs

Governor:

• Thank you, Bill
• As you can see, the new hospital will enable us to provide the highest quality facilities, medical professionals and patient care far into the future.
  We will continue growing our health system and continue working to improve the lives of the Chickasaw people.
• Another area where we have made much progress is in housing.
• Housing has been - and is - a fundamental need of Chickasaw people.
• We are pleased to report that we continue to break new ground in the area of housing.
• Wayne Scribner is the administrator for the division of housing and tribal development.

Wayne:

• Well Governor…we continue to experience great success with our housing programs. Our homeownership services are very popular, especially the Chuka Chukmasi home mortgage program.
• This past year with the addition of the down payment and/or closing cost grant, many citizens from both here and across the country have taken advantage of this service.
• We also saw an increase in the popularity of our storm shelter program as many citizens in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Texas and Kansas had shelters installed…
• Our roads department continues to assist with making our roads and bridges safe and added a driveway program for our elders….
• Our tribal development team completed the Pharmacy Refill Center, the Tishomingo Senior Site addition, the Tishomingo Wellness Center, two community centers, the Chickasaw White House, the housing administration building and are nearing competition on the education building, the sick child daycare center, the Duncan Senior Site, and the Government Services building… just to name a few.

Governor:

• Thank you, Wayne.
• To know where we are going and to appreciate the contributions of those Chickasaws who came before us, we must know about our heritage, our culture, what the Chickasaw Nation has accomplished and what we have overcome…
• Arts and humanities, scholarly study and research, cultural preservation and revitalization are so important and we are blessed that we are now able to concentrate our efforts more in these areas.
• Helping in that effort are three dynamic Chickasaw women – Lona Barrick, Amanda Cobb and Kelley Lunsford

Lona:

• Governor the division of arts and humanities experienced incredible growth, the Chickasaw Summer Arts Academy grew from 53 students last year to more than 100 young, amazing artists this past summer.
• Jerod Tate was again our composer in residence…and led the children in some exceptional compositions. And we are working with Jerod on a few other projects as well
• The living history players are bringing our dynamic history to life through performances at events across Oklahoma….
• Our After School Arts program reaches more than 6,000 students and teaches them not only about art, but about Chickasaw heritage and culture…
• Our Chickasaw Children’s Choir program is growing and we have expanded the Chickasaw Clemente Humanities course not only at East Central University in Ada, but also here at Murray State College in Tishomingo.
• Next month, the Mike Larsen Chickasaw Elder’s painting exhibit will open at the Oklahoma History Center and will remain open November 3 thru January 2008.

Amanda:

• The new division of history, research, and scholarship is devoted to preserving and sharing our history and culture…
• The knowledge and understanding of our history is critical—it is our shared history and cultural identity that make us distinctive as a people.
• One way we share our history is through our libraries and archives…
• Our division works to collect historical documents, genealogical records, and oral histories which will eventually be housed in the Holisso Center for the Study of Chickasaw History and Culture.
• The Holisso Center, which is currently under construction, will be a state-of-the-art facility, especially designed to protect and house the documents that are so precious to our families.
• And, we not only collect documents of our history, we write and publish our own histories as well through the Chickasaw Press.
• As a matter of fact, I’m pleased to announce that our first publication, Chickasaws: Unconquered and Unconquerable received a gold medal for excellence from the Independent Publisher’s Association.
• In honor of our first anniversary, we are releasing two titles at festival this very afternoon: Never Give Up!: The Life of Pearl Carter Scott by Paul Lambert and Chickasaw Lives by Richard Green.
• Several new projects are underway including biographies of Chickasaw Governor Douglas Johnston and our first-elected Chief, Edmund Pickens.

Kelley:

• The Division of Culture began several new programs – a community stickball program in Ardmore, Davis and Tishomingo…educational outreach programs and the Ardmore Dance Troupe.
• The Chickasaw Council House Museum was awarded Best Interpretive Exhibit for Hina Lawa Linoatok by the Oklahoma Museums Association.
• We are partners on the development of the Cedarscape property, and 18th century Chickasaw village site in our homelands…
• The cleanup, location and documentation of the cemetery program continues to be a priority of cultural resources department.
• We started our Master/Apprentice program in language revitalization.
• The Chickasaw Cultural Center is well on its way to completion and construction should be completed by next fall.
• In addition to the learning opportunities that will be available at the new cultural center, we are developing the “Hayochi: The Chickasaw Discovery Center” here in Tishomingo.
• Hayochi will be more than just a center, but a community space for traditional events to serve Chickasaw people.

Governor:

• Thank you.
• We have much going on in these areas from preservation to revitalization…but we can all agree that we have just begun…there is much to do...we will continue telling our story because we tell it best.
• The Chickasaw White House is once again open…the division of culture and our tribal development department are to be applauded for their painstaking work in the restoration of this landmark in Chickasaw History.
• The White House is open today for tours…by all means - please take advantage of this opportunity….
• We have accomplished much, but we aren’t finished yet….
• The progress we have made is a direct result of the feedback we receive from Chickasaws living near and far.
• Many of the programs and services we have available to us today, are a result of the needs of Chickasaws.
  We need and want to hear from you – from Chickasaws everywhere.
• To help us accomplish that goal, we have scheduled a variety of meetings and gatherings to come meet with you in your community.

Robyn:

• Yes, Governor.
• It is important that all Chickasaws have opportunities to stay informed and connect with the Chickasaw Nation, regardless of where they live.
• We have several community council groups that are active across the United States…we support their needs by providing speakers and presentations… and the council members help us by supplying valuable feedback about needs in their area….
• This past year, we met with Chickasaws living in Texas, California, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado…
• Already, we are planning meetings and gatherings for next year – creating opportunities for Chickasaws to meet and spend time together and exchange ideas.
• Activities such as community dinners, formal gatherings, conferences and cultural fairs will be coming to Chickasaws both near and far.
• We will also begin home visitations to hear one-on-one from Chickasaws about what they would like to see in the coming years….

Governor:

• Thank you, Robyn.
• It is imperative that we receive feedback about the things that are important to Chickasaws – no matter where you live.
• In February, we will host the Second Listening Conference to assess and evaluate our progress with the Services at Large programs and in the fall, we will host the first of its kind conference for students, parents and elders….
• There is much to be excited about in the coming year.
• Services at large conferences, many of the programs and services with which we are blessed are only possible because of the revenues we receive from our businesses.
• Not too many years ago, we were not able to extend services outside the tribal boundaries….
• With the growth of our economy, we can continue to expand and meet the needs of all Chickasaws…we can move past just providing basic services and expand our heritage and cultural revitalization efforts, we can provide more opportunities for interaction with the arts….
• Business development is vital to our continued progress… to the continued growth and sustainability of our economy
• Continuing to reinvest and expand our current businesses while wisely investing in new industries is the best way to ensure our continued economic viability
• We have one such project underway at Winstar.
• Winstar has been a profitable enterprise for us….the revenues generated from that venue have far surpassed our expectations…

Brian:

• Market continues to be profitable
• WinStar and motel at capacity, new 400 room hotel
• Cityscape facade – international cities
• 5 new internal gaming plazas – London, Paris, Rome, Madrid and Shanghai
• Studies – need for more conference space
• Independent developers – homes, restaurants, other businesses

Governor:

• A hotel will be constructed and operated by another company, is that correct?

Brian:

• Private investors, finance own and operate
• 1,100 new jobs
• Businesses are doing great. Riverwind had a great 1st year, 1.5 million visitors
• Autographs
• Need to diversify
• CNI new offices in Norman, media entertainment/energy/ tech services
• Solara, 5 new LTAC hospitals – very profitableCNSBDC

Governor:

• Thank you, Brian.
• Tribal businesses provide the funding that pays for clothing grants, educational scholarships, services at large, tribal health services, community centers, camps and academies…the majority of what we have been able to accomplish is because of the careful planning and success of our businesses….

Closing Remarks – Governor Anoatubby

• We are in a time of great success and progress.
• Together, our future is bright.
• The Chickasaw people have opportunities unlike ever before.
• We must continue working to maintain and improve upon what we have.
• We have challenges to meet…and we will meet those challenges head on and find solutions.
• We will continue working to make improvements that make positive differences in the every day lives of Chickasaw people.
• We intend to grow – we intend to work together – we intend to protect Chickasaw interests and create opportunities for Chickasaws.
• We have done much together – there is still much to be done.
• What is left to do? Our vision is that every Chickasaw has access to:
  • education,
  • quality health care,
  • and adequate housing.
• That every Chickasaw has an opportunity for a good quality of life, and the opportunity to choose their own career and to make their personal dreams a reality.
• Ladies and gentlemen, our journey continues.
• Important to our continued success is vigorous, economic growth – we must be creative; we must enter into industries that diversify and stabilize our revenue base.
• We must be good stewards. We must make wise choices in the utilization of the resources with which we are blessed.
• We have been blessed with a gift and must use it wisely.
• Fellow Chickasaws, the state of the Chickasaw Nation is strong…and with your continued help…THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
• Thank you – God Bless You and God Bless the Chickasaw Nation.