Choctaw Nation Fights Poverty with Your Help

Chahta Okla yvt Hvchi Nan Apela ya Aiilbvsha Isht Ittibi

Published March 9, 2026

By Chief Gary Batton

Audio in Choctaw Language

For as long as the Choctaw Nation has been a tribe, the primary focus of the Chief is to ensure the safety and livelihood of our tribal members. Each year, the Tribal Council, the Assistant Chief and I agree on the best way forward for our tribe for the upcoming year and enact plans accordingly.

Creating opportunities for our tribal members is one of the many ways that we push the tribe forward. The Choctaw Nation Job for the Day program gives tribal members an opportunity to decide what their career pursuit will be. One of our recent success stories, Jennifer Spainhour, came to our program in August 2020 before accepting a new position in Casino F&B, later becoming one of our Choctaw Nation recruiters.

“Working in the Job for the Day program with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma has changed my life in ways I never expected,” Jennifer said. “It didn’t just provide opportunity, it restored confidence, purpose, and dignity. I’ve watched it do the same for other tribal members, opening doors to employment, stability, and hope. It’s more than a program; it’s a pathway to rebuilding lives and reminding our people that they are capable, valued, and needed.”

Just to give you some perspective on the Job for the Day Program, here a few statistics from the last three years of the program:

FY25

  • Hires: 1,103
  • Transfers to Permanent: 211
  • Transfers to 477 (another temp program, Fed funded): 146

FY24

  • Hires: 1,093
  • Transfers to Permanent: 167
  • Transfers to 477 (another temp program, Fed funded): 199

FY23

  • Hires: 905
  • Transfers to Permanent: 171
  • Transfers to 477 (another temp program, Fed funded): 128

A key area that we focus on each year is combatting poverty on the reservation. Our poverty rate is 23.5% compared to the U.S. poverty rate of 10.6% – that needs attention and improvement. Transparency is one thing we push here at the Choctaw Nation – we need to find new and better ways to combat poverty. We have plans in place, new programs and educational opportunities for our tribal members. I believe we offer exceptional programs and services to assist our tribal members in need, but we must work to ensure that those among us who need assistance or support know what is available so that they are in position to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them.

My challenge to you is to become empowered and seek ways where you may need guidance. We can’t change the poverty rate numbers in the Choctaw Nation without everyone’s help. For tribal members who are feeling helpless and believe hope is lost, please reach out to your tribe and find a solution for you and your family. My hope is that every Choctaw tribal member has a better way forward and promising future; my hope also is that tribal members in need see and understand the many programs and services we offer and take that first step to begin the process of getting help for them and their families in need.

For more information on how to kickstart your new career, you can visit the Choctaw Nation’s official Career website. We want you to be another Choctaw success story!

Yakoke and God Bless!