CHOCTAW NATION — Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton said the southeastern Oklahoma tribe continues to walk into the uncharted territory of the future to secure the vision and dream of the Chahta people during his annual State of the Nation address.
“Our ancestors walked from their homeland to unchartered territory, now known as Oklahoma. Today, we continue that walk into the future to secure the vision we have for our children and to make true the dream of the Chahta people,” Batton said. “The continued growth of the Choctaw Nation is our shared responsibility.”
Batton gave the annual address from his office located in the tribe’s headquarters in Durant and highlighted tribal programs, culture, and the Chahta spirit.
Batton said the tribal nation made a goal to build 600 new homes for members by the end of fiscal year 2025. He said the tribe will be more than halfway to the goal at the end of FY 2024.
“When we complete our goal next year, we would have built over 1,300 total homes across the reservation,” Batton said. “I think that’s something to celebrate.”
The number is broken down to 551 LEAP homes, 239 independent living homes for elders, and 513 affordable rentals.
When it comes to the Choctaw Nation’s health services, Batton said the system is projected to have around 1.2 million health encounters by the end of the fiscal year.
“I am a huge advocate for prevention and wellness care, like mammograms and colonoscopies, which you can have done at Choctaw Nation health facilities,” Batton said. “These procedures save so many lives.”
The chief said the health system has treated hundreds of cataracts and performed thousands of dental cleanings since October 2023.
Batton said updates to the tribe’s dental program has helped increase cleanings by 39% in a year.
According to the tribe, the health system conducted 4,445 mammograms, 904 colonoscopies, 528 cataract treatments, and 8,584 dental cleanings.
“And maybe the sweetest number I can share with you today is that our hospital in Talihina welcomed almost 350 newborns into the world this year,” Batton said.
Batton thanked the health care staff for going above and beyond everyday to make sure everyone gets the best care possible.
The tribe saw a five percent increase in new job positions over the last year at 233 with the total number of associates totaling more than 13,600.
He also said the tribe is growing, with 229,635 tribal members
Batton said due to global inflation, the tribe shifted its focus to efficiency and effectiveness when it comes to spending tribal dollars with areas being streamlined and costs cut so critical operations could continue.
He said despite economic challenges, the Choctaw Nation still had a more than $3.2 billion impact in the State of Oklahoma according to the most recent economic impact report.
“This means we support jobs and community projects, build roads, back education projects, and so much more,” Batton said.
It has been 25 years since the tribe offered its first tribal language class via video at the University of Oklahoma.
Batton said since then, the tribe’s language department has expanded to include live classes, online classes, language nests, and apprenticeships.
An average of 3,000 people were served through the Choctaw School of Language, according to Batton.
“I love to see so many people interested in learning the language,” Batton said. “For so long, our ancestors were discouraged or downright forbidden to speak Choctaw by authorities who did not recognize our inherent sovereignty. When we speak Chahta today, we’re saying to those people ‘I am a member of a sovereign nation, and I will honor my ancestors by speaking our language.’”
More than 13,400 scholarships were awarded by the tribe totaling $17,388,008 to tribal members attending higher learning institutions across the nation. The tribal also saw its largest graduating class from its adult education program this year with 167.
Along with updates on the tribe’s programs and services, the annual speech also highlighted several members of the Choctaw Nation. The entire speech can be viewed online at choctawnation.com. Tribal members can also enter a sweepstakes to win $2,500 cash that will be awarded Sept. 16.
“We walk the path to prosperity hand in hand with our brothers and sisters, our sons and daughters, our friends, and our community. Let’s continue to march into a new day, a better day, for the Choctaw Nation.”