Community is an essential part of our Chahta culture. I'm so honored
and humbled to be able to represent the Chahta people and be a part
of this great community. With current events and what is happening
with the Oklahoma Gaming Compact, I have realized that many people
are unaware of the impact our tribes have on the State of Oklahoma.
Sometimes we get so caught up in what we are doing for the Chahta
community that we forget to share all the things we do for our local
communities as well.
The Chahta people have always strived to live their lives with
servants' hearts. From helping each other during forced removal,
to collecting a donation to send to the Irish people on the other
side of the world, we as Choctaws have been taught to help not only
our own, but our neighbors as well. We hear and see the phrase "living
out the Chahta Spirit" often. We can do this in many ways. Being
a servant leader and helping others for the greater good is a perfect
way for us to live it out each day. We at the Choctaw Nation of
Oklahoma strive to uphold the values that have been passed down
for generations in every decision we make. One of the ways we show
this is through our Community Partnership Fund.
In fiscal year 2019, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma was able to
put $1,613,300 back into southeastern Oklahoma. Thanks to our Community
Partnership Fund, 26 counties and cities throughout the 10½
counties received funding for needed projects and equipment.
Though we are a sovereign nation, we recognize the impact and influences
we have in the communities our members live and work in. This is
our home, and most of us grew up right here in this area. We love
and care about the people who live here, regardless of their race,
religion or creed.
With funding from the Community Partnership Fund, the city of Durant
chose to use its $232,500 for road repairs and improvements. McAlester
combined funds with additional donations for a streetscape project
that includes sidewalk expansions, bump-outs, decorative light poles
and street signs. Pushmataha county used their funds, matched with
federal grants, to purchase a new Sheriff's Department vehicle,
make much-needed repairs to the fair building and upgrade the courthouse
boiler system. Other cities and counties used their funds for street
repair, building repairs, community beautification, city park upgrades
and water projects as well.
We just started our second year for this program, and our funds
will continue to help strengthen our communities, region and state.
The Choctaw Community Partnership Fund is a voluntary distribution
to cities and counties within the Choctaw Nation's 10½ county
jurisdiction that operate Tribal non-gaming businesses. Together,
we can make Oklahoma an even better place for our citizens to live
and grow.
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Thanks
in part to funding from the Community Partnership Fund, Pushmataha
county was able to purchase a new Sheriff's Department vehicle,
make much-needed repairs to the fair building and upgrade
the courthouse boiler system. The Choctaw Community Partnership
Fund is a voluntary distribution to cities and counties within
the Choctaw Nation 10½ county jurisdiction that operate
Tribal non-gaming businesses. (Photo by Christian Toews)
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