Thirty-five years ago, Bill Anoatubby presented his sights for the future of the Chickasaw Nation.
Today, these calls to action have secured success and continued growth and prosperity for the Chickasaw Nation.
Select an area of focus below to see the progress made.
Preserving and sharing Chickasaw history and culture is a top priority for the Chickasaw Nation under Governor Anoatubby’s leadership.
Preserving and sharing Chickasaw history and culture is a top priority for the Chickasaw Nation under Governor Anoatubby’s leadership.
With one of the largest tribal cultural centers in the country and numerous programs and services devoted to cultural education, language, historic preservation and the arts, we have fostered an environment conducive to carrying on Chickasaw traditions and culture for generations to come.
The team has overseen the formation of a multitude of programs and services around this commitment, including numerous art classes, camps, contests and programs, Rosetta Stone Chickasaw, Chickasaw Press, cultural resources, camps, historical society and historical sites, such as the Chickasaw National Capitol, Chickasaw White House and Council House Museum. After more than 20 years of dreaming and planning, the Chickasaw Cultural Center serves as a home for Chickasaw people of all ages and backgrounds to share in and celebrate Chickasaw history and culture. Since opening in 2010, the cultural center has welcomed more than 900,000 guests.
Today, the tribe is teaching Chickasaw history and culture to the next generation through the youth Chickasaw dance troupe and youth stickball.
To meets the needs of all Chickasaws, Governor Anoatubby developed a deliberate plan to fully exercise the tribe’s right of self-determination.
To meets the needs of all Chickasaws, Governor Anoatubby developed a deliberate plan to fully exercise the tribe’s right of self-determination.
Self-determination for the Chickasaw Nation was done through successful business and economic development. Tribal programs and services rely on revenue generated by tribal businesses to operate and expand.
Today, the Chickasaw Nation has a sound economic base. The tribe operates more than 100 diversified business, which provide the majority of the funding for more than 200 programs and services. Through business diversification, prosperity for the tribe will continue into the future.
Growing economic development results in job opportunities for Chickasaw citizens. The creation of jobs allows those willing to work a chance to meet the needs of their own families and, therefore, fulfill the tribe’s mission of enhancing the overall quality of life of the Chickasaw people.
Chickasaw Employment Access prepares Chickasaws for viable, sustainable careers by assisting them to remove barriers to employment and identifying and obtaining the necessary training and placement needed for employment.
Governor Anoatubby understands the need for continuing education for the betterment of Chickasaw citizens and the communities in which they live.
Governor Anoatubby understands the need for continuing education for the betterment of Chickasaw citizens and the communities in which they live.
Education is vital for the future success of the tribe and, therefore, has been a focal point of the administration.
We are continually improving upon and enhancing its various educational programs and services to reflect our commitment to the future excellence of Chickasaw citizens around the globe.
Programs and services offered include higher education scholarships, grants and incentives, school supply assistance, internship and school-to-work programs, Head Start and child development centers for younger students along with numerous educational clubs and programs.
In 2022, the tutoring assistance program expanded to provide Chickasaw students K-12 access to high-quality tutoring through Varsity Tutors. This provides Chickasaw students, no matter where they live, access to accredited instructors who offer an interactive experience that will enrich and enchanted traditional classroom instruction.
In addition, the tribe has increased the amount in scholarships; increased the tuition amount and the number of credit hours funded and amount granted for textbooks. Last year, we awarded more than $28 million in scholarships, grants and incentives to 6,000 Chickasaw students.
Chickasaw elders provide a valuable link to our tribal past and set a shining example for younger generations of Chickasaw leaders.
Chickasaw elders provide a valuable link to our tribal past and set a shining example for younger generations of Chickasaw leaders.
Governor Anoatubby works diligently to honor our elders and emphasize their importance to the tribe.
Under his leadership, numerous quality programs and services are available to enhance the everyday life of Chickasaw elders around the country, including an energy assistance program, assisted living benefit program, prescription medication programs, burial programs, lawn mowing, chore services and home maintenance programs, veterans’ programs, senior nutrition programs, multiple health programs and more.
The Chickasaw Nation now operates 12 senior centers in Ada, Ardmore, Connerville, Duncan, Kullihoma, Madill, Oklahoma City, Panola, Pauls Valley, Purcell, Sulphur and Tishomingo.
Governor Anoatubby has dedicated numerous resources to nurturing and encouraging strong Chickasaw families and instilling family values throughout the Chickasaw Nation.
Governor Anoatubby has dedicated numerous resources to nurturing and encouraging strong Chickasaw families and instilling family values throughout the Chickasaw Nation.
We understand the value and importance of strong, healthy families and their impact on the tribe and our communities.
Numerous family support programs and services are devoted to the enrichment of Chickasaw families, from children to adults, to develop and nurture strong family bonds and habits. These programs include therapeutic services for individuals, couples and families, violence prevention training and education, child development support and much more.
The support systems extend to a variety of programs and services focused on the overall wellness of individuals and families. Recently launched, Chikasha Anokfilli, which translates to “thinking Chickasaw,” is a mental health initiative exploring what it means to be strong and resilient, and provides resources to promote mental wellness while removing the stigma of mental health concerns.
When Governor Anoatubby was elected in 1987, he had a vision to provide quality, accessible health care for Chickasaw citizens. At the time, health care was limited and the tribal budget was small.
When Governor Anoatubby was elected in 1987, he had a vision to provide quality, accessible health care for Chickasaw citizens. At the time, health care was limited and the tribal budget was small.
Since that time, with careful planning, creativity and successful economic development, our vision has come to fruition.
Today, the Chickasaw Nation serves thousands of Chickasaws from across the country with quality health care programs and services. The Chickasaw Nation Department of Health (CNDH) is a multi-campus health system, which consists of five locations including the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center, a 370,000 square-foot state-of-the-art health care facility, four clinics, eight pharmacies, four nutrition centers, eight WIC offices and five wellness centers.
CNDH also offers emergency services, diabetes care, dental, imaging, women’s’ health, tribal health programs, physical therapy and more.
CNDH is continuously motivated to expand services and offering new technologies to support the ongoing needs of the Native American community. Our administration is taking the next major step in providing health care to First American residents in the metro area with a new hospital in Newcastle.
Upon being elected Governor of the Chickasaw Nation, Bill Anoatubby and his team developed a plan to focus the tribe’s attention on meeting the needs of the Chickasaw people.
Upon being elected Governor of the Chickasaw Nation, Bill Anoatubby and his team developed a plan to focus the tribe’s attention on meeting the needs of the Chickasaw people.
A crucial point of this plan was to provide citizens access to quality, affordable housing.
We believe affordable housing is an essential piece of having a quality standard of living. Housing programs and services now available to Chickasaw citizens include homeownership programs, counseling and loan services, down payment and closing cost assistance, a home improvement grant, rehabilitation programs, rental programs and a storm shelter program. Since the programs inception, the Chickasaw Nation has installed nearly 5,200 storm shelters and provided more than $124 million in grant assistance to more than 4,500 Chickasaw families for down payment and/or closing costs.
Children are the future. This is the reason Governor Anoatubby emphasizes the growth and development of the tribe’s children and youth.
Children are the future. This is the reason Governor Anoatubby emphasizes the growth and development of the tribe’s children and youth.
We focus tremendous effort on fulfilling the potential of young Chickasaws, one of the tribe’s most valuable resources.
We devoted numerous programs and services to offer Chickasaw youth opportunities to develop healthy and balanced lives. Unique and exciting programs abound for young Chickasaws, including 27 camps, clinics and academies specifically designed for Chickasaw youth to stay active, experience their culture and enhance their skills and knowledge.
Our administration has championed the development of the tribe’s STEM Academy, one of the first of its kind, to encourage youth to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. The tribe’s child development centers and various learning enhancement programs encourage early development in our youth which will benefit them throughout their lives.
Examples of our commitment to Chickasaw children and youth are found throughout the tribe. Our goal is to empower young Chickasaws and create a legacy of educated, well-rounded Chickasaw citizens.