Protection of our Children is a Tribal Necessity

Hvpim Vlla Vhleha Atukko yvt Okla Yvmohmi Vlhpiesa

Published April 6, 2026

By Chief Gary Batton

Audio in Choctaw Language

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the Choctaw Nation is bringing awareness to prevent child abuse and neglect.

The Choctaw Ahni Center is designating April 8 as CNO’s Go Blue Day to raise awareness. This national movement encourages people to wear blue to show their commitment to protecting children, promoting safe environments, and raising awareness to help prevent child abuse and neglect.

On April 8, associates wearing blue will gather in the Choctaw Nation Headquarters lobby for a group photo and I’ll be there to sign the official proclamation. I also encourage the community to wear blue.

If you need further assistance, Choctaw Children and Family Services works on behalf of Choctaw children and families in accordance with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) of 1978. Choctaw Nation social workers join with state workers and the courts to ensure safe and healthy placements for Choctaw children removed from their homes.

The Choctaw Indian Child Welfare Program is an advocate for residents in the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma’s Reservation, as well as Choctaws nationwide. Choctaw ICW Oklahoma offices are in Ardmore, Coalgate, Durant, Hugo, Idabel, McAlester, Oklahoma City, Stigler and Poteau.

Contact information for Indian Child Welfare Program, call: 580-924-8280 or 800-522-6170.

According to federal statistics, 8 out of every 1,000 children in the U.S. are victims of abuse and neglect; 1 in 7 seven children experienced child abuse or neglect in the past year; and 1,990 children died from abuse and neglect in 2022 (the last year of the recorded survey). The National Children’s Alliance estimates that more than 550,000 children are known to be abused: with child advocacy centers servicing more than 370,000 children each year, helping them to recover.

While those statistics are sobering, there are things we can do to help. If you see something, say something and report child abuse. Every child needs an advocate and an even playing field to grow into good, productive adults. There is no excuse for abuse and our most vulnerable need to be protected.

The health and safety of our Choctaw children is important. We have a duty to protect them and instill in them the Chahta Spirit of faith, family, and culture so that they can grow, thrive, and have a positive cultural identity. Recent CNO figures show the following number of Choctaw children in states custody:

Out of State kids- 244
Out of district In State kids- 240
In reservation- 74
Total – 558 kids in State Custody

There are 81 kids in Choctaw Nations custody. It is our duty to protect, nurture and strengthen Choctaw children and families for the preservation of future generations. We work with Choctaw children and families to provide services and opportunities that promote safety, self-sufficiency, and well-being to sustain our tribe and culture.

These are our children, our tribe, and our future, so their protection is important to all of us as Chahta. If you see child abuse happening report it or reach out to Choctaw Children and Family Services at 800-522-6170. Unfortunately, some children may even have to be removed from their home for their own protection and become Choctaw foster children. These children are placed under protective care until the tribal court decides what is best for the wellbeing of the child. The Choctaw Nation is always on the lookout for good foster family candidates. If you’re interested in helping our children and would like to foster a child, contact 580-924-8280.

I encourage everyone to wear blue on April 8, get involved with the foster program and do all you can to ensure a bright future for our Chahta youth. After all, our Chahta children are the future of the Great Choctaw Nation.

Yakoke and God Bless!

Tek i Hvshi yvt Vlla Hotupali Oktvbli Hvshi. Vlla hotupali micha aksho oktvbli ikhana isht vla ka Chahta Okla yvt iklvnna pa ibafoka.

Tek i Hvshi nittak untuchina yvt Chahta Okla i Go Blue Day achi ka Choctaw Ahni Center yvt anoli. Na fokka okchakko fokka hosh vlla atukkochi kvt oktvnicha chi ka okla ilhkoli pvt okla ya yimintvchi.

Chahta Okla yvt Go Blue Day atokoli kvt ittiba toksvli na fokka okchakko fokka im asilhha na Choctaw Nation Headquarters im achukkoa aiittvhoba cha i holbvt toba yvt toba chi. Ont anttvt anumpa vlhtuka ya hohchifo takalichi la chi.

Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 iakaya hosh, Choctaw Children and Family Services vt Chahta vlla micha chukka achvffa im i toksvli. Chahta vlla i chukka akanvlli yvt aiasha na kaniohmi kiyo micha achukmaka ka Chahta Okla im isht ahvllaia apesvchi yvt aiulhti toksvli micha hattak nan apesa ya ibafokvt ahlichi.

Choctaw Indian Child Welfare Program vt Chahta vhleha Chahta i yakni ilatomba aiasha micha yakni auata aiasha ka apepoa. Choctaw Indian Child Welfare Oklahoma atoksvli yvt Ardmore, Coalgate, Durant, Hugo, Idabel, McAlester, Oklahoma City, Stigler, micha Poteau aiasha.

Indian Child Welfare Program i payvt im anumpuli: 580-924-8280 or 800-522-6170.

Okla ahvllaia vnnoa ka vlla untuchina hosh vlla tahlepa sipokni achvffa akucha kvt hotupali micha aksho ishkvnnvpa. Afvmmi ant ia kash, vlla untuklo ka achvffa kvt vlla hotupali kia aksho imomaka tuk. Afvmmi tahlepa sipokni tuklo, pokoli tuklo akucha tuklo kash, vlla tahlepa sipokni achvffa, tahlepa chakkali, pokoli chakkali hosh hotupali micha aksho aiili tuk. National Children’s Alliance vt hotina ka vlla tahlepa sipokni tahlepa tahlapi pokoli tahlapi atampa hosh akkaona ka vnnoa. Vlla apepoa aboha yvt vlla tahlepa sipokni tahlepa tuchina pokoli untuklo atampa ka i toksvli cha hlakoffi apelvchi.

Vnnoa yvmmvt nuktvlali kia nana kaniohmit il apela hinla. Nana kia ish pisa hokmvt nana kia achi, micha vlla hotupali anoli. Vlla ilaiyuka kvt apepoa micha aivlhpiesa ittilaui abvnna, yohmik mvt vssvno awaya fehna toba hinla. Hotupali ya isht amiha yvt iksho, yohmi ka, hvpi nvhla hinla moma i shahli yvt atukko abvnna.

Chahta vlla micha chukka achvffa ya atukkochi, hofantichi, micha hlampkochi yvt hvpim aivlhtoka. Hvpim okla micha hvpim aivlhpesa e hvllvlla chi kvt i toksvli micha aivlhpiesa im ahlekahe kiyo, ile fehnvchi, micha haknip achukma apelvchi ka il atahli.

Ilvppvt hvpim vlla, hvpim okla, micha hvpi himak pilla atuko im atukko yvt e moma ka hvpi nana fehna. Vlla hotupali ya Choctaw Children and Family Services im anoli: 800-522-6170.

Kaniohmik ma, vlla ya i chukka akanvllichi cha atukko isht ahvllaia ilissa. Okla i hattak nan apesa yvt nana hosh vlla ya im achukma asha kvt achukma i shaht tahli ka apesa. Chahta Okla yvt chukka achvffa hofantichi achukma hoyo bilia. Hvpim vlla vhleha apela chi ahvllaia cha vlla hofantichi chi bvnna hokmvt, holhtina ilvppa paya: 580-924-8280.

Tek i Hvshi nittak untuchina onak ma, okluha yvt na fokka okchakko fokka chi ka yimintvchi li. Aiahni hofantichi ibafoka cha hvpi himitthoa i himak pilla yvt malanta chi ka im ahlichi. Yohmi kia, hvpi Chahta vlla vhleha yvt Chahta Okla Ahli i himak pilla hoke!

Yakoke, anonti Chihowa hvt hvchi holitoblashke!