Updates from Chief Batton

Mid-Year Check in

Published June 7, 2021

Halito, we've made it to the halfway point of 2021! So much has happened during these six months. I wanted to take some time for us to reflect on what the Nation has accomplished thus far:

Receipt of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds – Choctaw Nation received $944 million in an initial payment of Fiscal Recovery Funds under the ARPA from the U.S. Treasury. We have begun the planning process to allocate and distribute these one-time federal funds, but will wait to finalize the budget plan until the U.S. Treasury Department issues final guidance sometime in August. The ARPA funding will be used to address the negative economic and social impacts caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency through: Tribal Services, Tribal Government Stabilization, and Choctaw Reservation Infrastructure Needs;
Broke Ground on Residency and Specialty Clinic Expansion in Talihina - the Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority (CNHSA) broke ground to expand the Talihina Residency and Specialty Clinic. It will create 24 new patient exam rooms and increase desk space for clinicians. Both the Residency and Specialty Clinic are scheduled for completion in 2022;
Resumed annual events - we held our Annual Trail of Tears Walk in May. An estimated 700 tribal members and friends participated in the symbolic walk of two-and-a-half miles, with at least that many in attendance to show support. The Nation also announced the return of the annual Labor Day Festival, that will take place on the Tvshka Homma Capitol Grounds September 3 through September 5. It was canceled last year due to the pandemic;
Casino and Resort Entertainment Resumes - entertainment is back at Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant. Old Dominion returned to the Grand Theater Stage on May 21, for our first ticketed concert in over a year. Also, Choctaw Casino & Resort – Grant introduced their newly remodeled entertainment venue: Stage 271, formerly known as the Grant Event Center; and
The Choctaw Cultural Center - the grand opening of the Choctaw Cultural Center is scheduled to open this summer. Every time I visit the facility, there's something new to see - I can't wait for you to visit.

I'm excited about where we are and where we're going. We have experienced some losses but we're a resilient people, we're tvshka (warrior). I look forward to the opportunities that are before us.

Yakoke and God bless!