Nanih Waiya Returns to the Tribe [12.16.08]
November 14th was a date of great cultural significance for our Tribe. It was the day our mother mound, Nanih Waiya, was returned to us from the state of Mississippi. Most of us know the history. We know how and why our land, more acres than we can ever reclaim, was taken. But we reclaim the one acre of Nanih Waiya as our sacred land and we do so with pride and continued determination to maintain its beauty, significance and sanctity.

Thank you to Councilmembers Diamond Hundley and Ann Wesley. They planned the program and called together a team that put in long hours to make the celebration a success. Thank you to all the elected officials who attended and worked to make the return a reality and thank you to all Tribal members who attended and celebrated a very special day in our history. 

Non-Gaming Business Summit [12.16.08]
I hosted the first-ever Non-Gaming Business Summit which brought together the heads of all the Tribe’s enterprises in October and was pleased with the results. Our businesses were not familiar enough with each other and were not working together to leverage opportunities.

The Summit helped the CEOs of our non-gaming enterprises get to know each other, learn about each other and to identify opportunities to work together and improve. It is important for these CEOs and their employees to understand what the Tribe expects from them and I believe they do.

Our non-gaming business activities have always set us apart and have served an important role in our economic growth. One of my main goals is to make sure we maintain a strong and diverse economy.

Since the Silver Star opened, the previous administration focused almost all of our investments on gaming. This was bad fiscal strategy. It is important we develop a strong, diverse economy that is not dependent on gaming for revenue and jobs.

That is why we are evaluating opportunities to move into new industries. Our economic development team is currently pursuing opportunities in high-tech manufacturing, alternative and renewable sources of energy, real estate development and commercial agriculture.

We are actively seeking new businesses that can be located near the Crystal Ridge, Bogue Chitto, Conehatta and Bogue Homa communities to employ Tribal members in those communities.

As the nation’s poor economy takes its toll on gaming revenues at casinos across the country and around the world, I look forward to sharing more good news about the continued growth of our non-gaming businesses. They are becoming more and more important to our Tribe’s financial health.

Common Law Marriages [12.16.08]
As a Tribe, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has done away with common law marriage on the Reservation. After much consideration, the Tribal Council voted for this change to make it easier for our courts to make decisions regarding property and the welfare of children when partners split up. It will also clarify issues surrounding tribal membership, inheritance claims and visitation rights.

The Native American Rights Fund [12.16.08]
I am proud to join the Board of Directors of the Native American Rights Fund (NARF).

NARF is a non-profit organization that provides legal representation and technical assistance to Indian tribes, organizations and individuals nationwide. NARF focuses on applying existing laws and treaties to guarantee that national and state governments live up to their legal obligations.

The organization is governed by a volunteer board of directors composed of thirteen Native Americans from different tribes throughout the country.

I have seen the great work the Native American Rights Fund has done on behalf of Indian Country and I am proud to join them.

NARF’s preservation of Tribal sovereignty and self-determination, their vigilant protection of voting, hunting and fishing rights and their efforts to assure our civil and religious rights have benefited thousands of Native Americans. It is with humility and gratitude that I accept their trust, join their Board of Directors and make their mission my own.

First Nations Golf Association Tournament [12.16.08]
The Tribe was proud to host and sponsor the First Nations Golf Association (FNGA) tour championship at our Dancing Rabbit. The goal of the FNGA is to introduce and promote the game of golf to Native Americans, especially youth, throughout the United States and Canada.

FNGA is committed to making social and economic contributions to Indian and Native Communities by exemplifying the rewards, honor and integrity of golf. It exists to enhance leadership, health, educational and athletic opportunities within American Indian communities.

The foundation strives to teach American Indian youth the values of respect, honor, integrity, self-esteem, civic responsibility, knowledge, confidence and physical fitness to broaden their skills and create lasting, satisfying lifestyles.

Thank you to the staff at Dancing Rabbit for making the championship a success.

I also congratulate Mark Powell and Sean Racki. Mark and Sean were honored at the Club Car Pro-Official Championship Special Awards Presentation held in Choudrant, Louisiana. PGA Champion Hal Sutton spoke and presented Mark with an award for “Professional of the Year” and Sean with “Merchandiser of the Year”.