I guess I can’t start a post without saying it’s been awhile. The last post was in 2015 right after the Chief selected by the former Chief of the Choctaw Nation had won his election in a landslide. I saw with my own eyes and heard loud and clear at my own family reunion that Choctaws were not interested in change. It didn’t matter about the federal trial where testimony indicated that those perpetrating the wrong doing KNEW they were doing so. I am thankful there was a sense of shame emanating from those on the witness stand. At least they felt a twinge of guilt. Imagine if the BIA had decided to remove our status as a tribal sovereign nation until we could get our act together? It happens, just ask the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes their tribal workforce was devastated they lost countless jobs and it took years to regain their status.
Since we last “spoke” I went my own way and held contract positions with several tribes. I have met some wonderful people and almost got frostbite on my ankles walking from my hotel 50 feet to a restaurant in Barrow Alaska. I was bundled up but apparently not enough. I worked with the Osage for years and was invited to their once a year gathering. I felt honored because watching them dance was a privilege that only the invited could see. My daughter went to their grade school called “Indian Camp Elementary”. I was tribal administrator for a smaller tribe but the politics was too much for me. If you think Choctaw politics is small try a tribe with close to 800 members. However, seeing tribal members thrive working for their own tribe and fostering the younger generation to be a part of that – that was my takeaway. I will never forget showing a senator around the Eagle Aviary and thinking about the tribal member who took it upon himself to become an eagle “doctor”. Those birds are majestic and I can’t describe what it felt like to be a part of something that special.
My Choctaw mother passed away. She used to read my blogs and call me with excitement. She had campaigned hard for Wendell David (she paid for it too) during the Chief Robert’s years. Maybe that need to charge windmills came from her? Losing that anchor was devastating. It’s been years and if I could hear her voice today she would say, “WHY IN THE HELL IS OUR CHIEF CAMPAIGNING FOR COUNCIL CANDIDATES???” Yeah that’s exactly what she would have said. Hence the reason I spent an hour trying to remember my username and password for this old blog. I changed the picture back to Tecumseh (my favorite native leader) and started to write. I have been contacted over the years by Choctaws being treated unfairly or wondering why about certain things. My standard response is “Choctaws don’t want change”. I still believe this but then why is Nellie still fighting?
I don’t know Nellie Meashintubby but I read her social media posts fairly often because she is a honey badger. Those of you who follow funny videos or political satire will know what I’m talking about. Nellie doesn’t care she will say what’s on her mind. Sometimes I wonder if she is the anti politician. I have laughed out loud at her not because she’s funny but she doesn’t care she will name names and call you out in a heartbeat. This is the kind of warrior we need in some capacity? AND what about James Dry??? Do you mean to tell me the Chahta he represents are actually proud this man represents them? They feel as if they finally have someone going to bat for them. What! You mean there are no requests to construction companies to add a little extra to their Choctaw Nation bill so they can build them something on their own private property? (You know I’m talking about you. You better hide that nasty bruise from that big kick back).
By the way, if you have worked at your job for years and you are Choctaw and you qualify to move into management or up another level of management don’t you think you should at least get an interview for the position? How many of you Choctaw people have had this happen since the last blog post? That’s what I see come through my email the most. It is my belief that Choctaw need to protect our Indian preference or we risk losing it. Do I believe that Choctaw should get a free ride? You clock in and mentally clock out – absolutely not. As Choctaw people we need to show others that we take pride in our Native Nation and that we have a strong work ethic. It has been my experience that most Choctaw have a strong work ethic, as a matter of fact, most tribal members from other tribes have a strong work ethics as well.
I would love to see how many non natives hold high positions, executive level positions in the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. You know what I have noted – non natives do not understand native personalities (unless you grew up or are married to one). 90% of us are quiet, funny, witty, AND QUIET. I did some work for the Falmouth Institute and one of the instructors who was non native was just at a loss as to why he wasn’t getting the same reactions to his teaching style that he received from the non native corporate world. He said, “they’re not laughing at my jokes. I get nothing”. I was kind of shocked because I’m pretty sure they found him funny. I was there taking the class. I wonder if I laughed when I thought it was funny? I kinda feel sorry for him now. So this in a round about way brings me to a point. Why does our leadership look for upper level executives from all over the United States who know nothing about Native Culture and since there are 574 tribes with different languages and cultures how can they understand the tribe they are coming in to manage? What makes them better? Is it the amount of education they have? Practical experience? Hands on experience? Working with natives experience? Our world is a whole DIFFERENT ball game for them and how does that make it better when they have been getting fed DIVERSITY hiring all through their management classes? It isn’t supposed to work that way in tribes because of Native Preference. Do those upper level management have something to offer? Sure they do. Is it as much as say the mechanic who has been there 20 years who’s Choctaw and knows the job inside and out yet wasn’t considered? Well that’s how Gary Batton got HIS job. He was Choctaw and knew the CNO inside and out. He also met the blood quantum requirement. I don’t understand it and probably never will because Choctaws don’t like change and if a Chief really had the Choctaw people’s best interests at heart he could stay in his leadership role till he died. Oh wait we already have that except without the checks and balances of a healthy government system. You see we have what’s called a dynasty within our native nation. Our dynasty is not by blood but by one chief handing the reigns to their pick for the next chief. That lucky individual has all of the resources of a rich nation to support them – money, MARKETING (ooooh that’s a big one), familiarity, lack of a willingness to change.
I’ve kind of rambled tonight but I think we had to re-introduce the spirit of Choctaw Wright. We have elections coming up and some strange things are happening. My brothers, my sisters we need to revamp our Constitution because we are so large. Our numbers are so large that our leaders are dealing with not Millions but BILLIONS and leaders without boundaries who surround themselves with yes men put themselves at risk for nefarious actions. So why do you think our Chief is campaigning for council candidates? It’s not just this upcoming election either. I heard the exact same thing last election cycle different candidates different district. We can make a difference or Nellie wouldn’t still be holding her ground and James wouldn’t be holding the office he holds.
If you would like to start a conversation please do so. If you want to expose corruption in the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma make sure you’re giving a first hand account or you know the person who can give it. You can remain anonymous when giving information publicly on this blog but you will need to give me your name (I will not reveal it) or otherwise it’s just hear say.
Next week we will talk about some things attributed to this administration that are grant programs and explain how that process works. You will be amazed at how well our tribal grant writing department is.
Chi Pisa La Chike,
CW
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