Chief Gary Batton relays several success stories of the past year for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma in his annual State of the Nation address which debuted Sept. 1. His presentation, available on Choctaw Nation’s primary website www.choctawnation.com, You-Tube, and Facebook, wrapped up this year’s Choctaw Labor Day Festival and is available for viewing anytime.
Statistics and personal triumphs are explained through graphics, photos and videos as updates are given in the areas of health, housing, education, culture, jobs and more for fiscal year 2024-2025. Highlights in the video include: - 60 independent elder homes were completed - 5,633 women had preventative screenings - 7,410 higher education scholarships and grants were awarded - A new 8,324-square-foot Emerging Aviation Technology Center opened - The Choctaw Cultural Center unveiled a sculpture honoring the World War I Choctaw Code Talkers serving in France in 1918 who helped end the war - The Language Department received a grant to develop an online phrasebook in Choctaw and English that will grow to around 1,000 entries in the next couple of years - The Tribal Judicial Department oversaw 4,284 Tribal cases in 2024 Chief Batton acknowledges the work of the Choctaw Tribal Council and Choctaw leadership teams. Of the Tribe’s more than 13,500 associates, he says, “They come to work every day knowing they are making a difference in the lives of thousands of Tribal Members and communities across our reservation. They work tirelessly to make sure the Labor Day Festival is a success every year, and they do a great job.”
