Chief Gary Batton

10/12/2026

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Chief Gary Batton provided a statement regarding the observance of Choctaw Day.

10/09/2026

The final day of this quarter’s Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes was another productive one, with each Nation sharing successes and progress made over the past quarter.
It’s encouraging to see the strides each Nation is making to improve the lives of our people. These gatherings give us a valuable opportunity to learn from one another, share ideas, and explore ways we can continue moving forward together.
I’m grateful for the collaboration, the spirit of servant leadership, and our shared commitment to serving our people and strengthening our Nations.

10/09/2026

This quarter’s session of the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes has been a wonderful opportunity to collaborate, share ideas, and learn from one another. From service delivery to business planning, these conversations help us strengthen our Nations and better serve our people.

I’m grateful for our fellow tribes and the spirit of servant leadership each brings to the table. While each of our Nations has its own unique strengths and priorities, we share a common commitment to our people, our cultures, and the future of our Nations.

Together, we’re more!

10/07/2026

This evening, we had the honor of celebrating our outstanding elders from across all of our districts. Our overall honorees were Solomon Tonihka from District 7, Wright City, and Karen Logon from District 1, Idabel. Congratulations to both of you, and to all of tonight’s honorees!
Many of those we recognized tonight spent their lives putting their families and communities ahead of themselves. They worked when things were difficult. They persevered when opportunities were limited. They raised children, supported grandchildren, served their communities, and helped build the Nation we know today.
They may not consider themselves extraordinary, but their lives demonstrate extraordinary strength.
We should never look at the success of the Choctaw Nation today without remembering the people who made that success possible. The strength of our Nation did not begin with today’s buildings, programs, businesses, or technology. It began around kitchen tables, in homes, churches, communities, and families.
It began with Choctaw people believing that their children and grandchildren deserved a better future.
Tonight, we celebrate those who helped make that future possible. We are grateful for their lives, their sacrifices, their wisdom, and the example they continue to set for all of us.
Yakoke to our elders for everything you have done and continue to do for our Choctaw Nation.

10/02/2026

Congratulations to Oma Clay on 35 years of service with the Choctaw Nation!
Yakoke for 35 years of dedication and service to our Choctaw People. Your commitment to our Nation and the people we serve is truly appreciated.

10/01/2026

Today, we were honored to be invited to join the Broken Bow American Indian Leadership Youth Council for Orange Shirt Day.

Orange Shirt Day was first established in Canada in 2013 as a day of remembrance and recognition of the Indigenous children who were impacted by the residential school system and the forced assimilation it sought to impose.

Today is an opportunity to remember, to honor those who experienced these injustices, and to continue teaching our young people the importance of knowing where we come from and preserving our identity, culture and traditions.

I am grateful to the Broken Bow American Indian Leadership Youth Council for inviting us to be part of this meaningful day and for the work they are doing to educate and inspire the next generation.

Our youth are our future, and keeping our culture and history alive is something we all have a responsibility to carry forward.

09/30/2026

09/30/2026

We had a delicious lunch with our elders in Broken Bow today. It is always such a blessing to spend time with our elders, hear their stories, and enjoy good food and fellowship together.

One of my favorite parts was hearing our elders sing Choctaw hymns. There is something so special about hearing our language and our faith carried through the generations.

And we certainly cannot forget the amazing cake and cupcakes made by Lena Harbour. They were as beautiful as they were delicious!

Thank you so much for inviting us and for the wonderful food and fellowship. We are grateful for these special moments together and the opportunity to celebrate our faith, family and culture.

09/27/2026

What an amazing crowd at the Choctaw Community Cultural Meeting in Mesa, Arizona, this afternoon! It was wonderful to see so many tribal members and friends come together.

We had a great time sharing an update on the Choctaw Nation and, most importantly, sharing our culture and history with everyone. These gatherings are such a special opportunity to connect, learn and celebrate what makes us Choctaw. Faith, family and culture are at the heart of who we are.

Yakoke to everyone who came out and made this afternoon so special!