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Canku Ota
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(Many Paths)
An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America
 
 
 
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Choctaw Nation Gives Back Through Community Partnership Fund
 
 
by BISKINIK
Chief Gary Batton

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.

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)
Former districts and capitals of Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, that existed from 1834-1857, shown with present-day Oklahoma counties.
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