November 2021
News

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month
November is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people.

Dennis selected as staff writer for The Conners
Choctaw tribal member and Clayton, Oklahoma native Shelley Dennis has been selected as a staff writer for season four of ABC's sitcom series, "The Conners."
Two Choctaws selected for scholarships in Ireland
For the first time, two young tribal members have been awarded the prestigious Choctaw-Ireland Scholarship, which includes tuition and expenses paid by the Republic of Ireland.

Tony Burris remembered as Korean War hero
Tony Kenneth Burris, a young Choctaw man of 21, voluntarily enlisted into the U.S. Army at the beginning of the Korean War in July 1950 without telling anyone he was going to do so.

Burson flies high coaching Irish Olympic athletes
Ian Burson is not your typical 25-year-old, as he has already had a lifetime of incredible experiences and is in the process of planning for his next adventures.

Celebrating inaugural Choctaw Flag Day
The Choctaw Nation celebrated the inaugural Choctaw Flag Day Oct. 16.

City of Durant proclaims October 11 as Indigenous People’s Day
The Durant Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution on September 15, proclaiming October 11 as Indigenous People's Day in the city of Durant.

Tribal members hold special walk to honor Choctaw people affected by COVID-19
The Choctaw culture of tradition and honor was on full display. Choctaw drummers, princesses, friends and family gathered to walk from the newly opened Choctaw Cultural Center gates to the stickball fields about half a mile away.

Fox and the Red Hares finding their rhythm after pandemic
Fox and the Red Hares are an American rock band from Riverside, California. Justin Lee Fox is a proud Choctaw tribal member.

Choctaw veteran honored for WWII service
Bill Parker, 96, didn't start to talk much about his World War II days until just a few short years ago when he decided to call a Tulsa newspaper to tell his story.

Sixteen-year-old college student and ballerina excelling in New York City
Sixteen-year-old Stormi Rain Arnold, a Native American ballerina and college student, has overcome many obstacles in her personal life and has become a role model for others. She has not let her struggles with partial deafness, impaired vision or difficulties with speech slow down her dream.

Rewards found on Pacific Crest Trail trek
A 2,653-mile trip from Mexico to Canada through desert terrain, the snow-filled High Sierra and Cascade Mountains of Northern California, Oregon, and Washington may seem like a good road trip. For Mitch McCoy, though, it was a long walk.

Red Oak Library/Reading Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Chief, Assistant Chief, and several Tribal Council members took part in the Ribbon Cutting for the new library/reading center in Red Oak, Oklahoma.

Stringtown Gazebo Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
In 2019, the Choctaw Nation and the Choctaw Development Fund awarded the city of Stringtown construct a gazebo that will be utilized for community events, cultural activities, and programs to enrich and promote Native American Heritage.

Dan Trujillo stronger than life’s obstacles
Dan Trujillo's life is marked by overcoming challenges. He was diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a deadly form of blood and bone marrow cancer, when he was only three years old. Dan is now 39 years old, and cancer was just the beginning of his life's challenges.
Choctaw Nation program helps treat diabetes and prediabetes
November is Diabetes Prevention Month, a time when communities come together to increase awareness of diabetes and prediabetes.

CNHSA earns Gold Seal of Approval
The Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority (CNHSA) has earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval® for Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its organization's commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.

Dr. Lourrinda Renée continues to serve others
Dr. Lourrinda Renée has been working to keep people safe for over 20 years. Whether that was working in emergency management in the oil and gas industry, writing about safety in agricultural restoration or as a law enforcement officer, she has taken the safety of others to heart.

Take a trip this fall and visit the Choctaw Cultural Center
Fall is the perfect time for a road trip, and Choctaw Country is the perfect backdrop for a fun-filled weekend getaway.
Leadership Speaks

District 6, November 2021
Halito, from District 6. We have been busy getting ready for the re-opening of the in-dining of the community center, which will resume in-house eating on November 3.
The Church Member
In the Book of Numbers, we find God taking the initiative concerning His plans and purposes for His people. God is a God of order and discipline, so He is organizing His people.
Honoring Those that Serve
It's November, and we're closing in on the end of 2021. Veteran's Day is Thursday, November 11, and it's a time for us to honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.