[dropcap]Diversified[/dropcap] business ventures have also helped tribes become more independent of the federal government.
“Growth of our businesses has enabled us to dramatically increase the number of services we offer to the Chickasaw people,” Choate says. “Two decades ago, a significant majority of the funding for programs and services still came from the federal government. In recent years, profits from tribal businesses have come to provide a large majority of the funding for programs and services, such as housing, health care, education and family services.”
The Chickasaw Nation offers more than 280 programs and services to assist its citizens, says Choate, including 68 federal programs with budgets of more than $170 million. The nation also operates more than 210 tribal programs with an annual budget of more than $200 million, compared to 33 federal programs and just over $7 million in 1988.
The Choctaw Nation is also in the business of securing a better future.
“The Choctaw Nation leaders are continuously working to make sure there is hope for our future,” says Reed. “At a time when less federal services are available for our children, The Choctaw Nation is securing funding and developing specific programs to ensure the next generations have hope and pride to carry on. Many of the services and programs of the tribe, such as the education scholarships, career development, health clinics and job placement opportunities, go a long way toward helping tribal members meet this vision.”
According to Reed, most programs are administered within the service area, but more are added each year to benefit tribal members living outside southeast Oklahoma. Such programs assist career development, emergency assistance, loan programs for housing, storm shelters and veterans’ advocacy.
Tribes also have an impact on state and local communities that cannot be measured in dollars.
For example, The Chickasaw Nation has helped enhance the safety and security of all Oklahomans through development of The Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department, says Choate.
“Our Lighthorse Police Department works closely with state and local law enforcement agencies,” says Choate. “We were the first tribe to develop a cross-deputization agreement with a state law enforcement agency in Oklahoma when we signed our agreement with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.”
