Chief Gary Batton

The Summer Food Service Program is helping make sure children across the Choctaw Reservation have access to nutritious meals while school is out for the summer. Meals are available on a first come first serve basis for all children under 18 at grab-and-go locations during service hours through the first week of August.

It was great to see volunteers from various Choctaw Nation programs and First United Bank this morning in Durant helping distribute food and serve our communities. Yakoke to everyone giving their time to help ensure no child goes without food during the summer months.

Food will be distributed at the following locations on the specified days:

Mondays
• Stigler - CNO Community Center
• Idabel - CNO Community Center
• Wilburton - CNO Community Center

Tuesdays
• Antlers - CNO Community Center
• Hugo - CNO Community Center
• Atoka - CNO Community Center

Wednesdays
• Poteau - Fair Grounds

Thursdays
• McAlester - Dream City Church
• Talihina - CNHSA ALCO
• Crowder - CNO Community Center

Fridays
• Durant - Echo Warehouse

Happy to have had the opportunity to meet with Scouting America Troop 615 here in Durant this morning. The troop stopped by Tribal Headquarters as they work toward earning their Communication Merit Badge, which includes attending a public meeting.

They plan to attend a future Tribal Council meeting and wanted to learn more about the Choctaw Nation’s governance structure beforehand. Yakoke to Troop 615 for stopping by and for your interest in tribal government.

Today we honored those no longer with us and remembered the sacrifices made to preserve the freedoms we enjoy at the Choctaw Nation Memorial Day Ceremony.
Our Veterans Advocacy Department and Youth Advisory Board did a wonderful job leading a meaningful program to pay tribute to those who have gone before us in service to our Nation and country.
While the weather moved us indoors, the spirit and solemnity of the occasion remained strong. Through Choctaw hymns, the 21-gun salute, and the sounding of Taps, we reflected with gratitude and remembered those who gave so much.
On this Memorial Day, we honor their service, remember their sacrifice, and carry their legacy forward.

✍🏽 Chief's Blog this week highlights Memorial Day and the importance of remembering our lost Choctaw warriors. Read the full blog at chocta.ws/cb-remembering-warriors.

Yakoke to District 7 for having us at the community dinner in Antlers. The food was delicious, but the fellowship and time spent visiting with everyone made the evening even more special. Thank you to all who helped prepare and host such a wonderful gathering. It was great to see our Chahta spirit and strong sense of community on display.

Today, we had the opportunity to honor our elders at our annual Elder Appreciation Day event. The Chahta spirit and Choctaw competitive spirit were on full display throughout the day as participants enjoyed contests for best traditional dress, Choctaw hymn singing, creative name tags, and chair volleyball.
It was a wonderful day filled with laughter, fellowship, and time together.
Yakoke to everyone who came out and to all of our associates whose hard work helped make this such a special day for our wonderful elders. Your dedication and care are deeply appreciated.

Today we recognized our Associates of the Quarter, an honor awarded to associates who exemplify the Choctaw Nation’s core values each day through their service, leadership, and dedication to our people.

The Associate of the Quarter Award is based on how well an associate demonstrates our “Who We Are” statement:

“The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is built on a foundation of faith, family, culture. From this, we strive to have accountability for our people, integrity in ourselves, honor in our tribe, and responsibility for our actions. We are servant leaders working to better the lives of our people and use teamwork to achieve our goals. Everything we do is to ensure a bright future for all our tribal members.”

Congratulations to this quarter’s honorees:

• Commerce Division – Sean Davenport
• Commerce Division – Ashley Jackson
• Commerce Division – Vishal Rachamsetty
• Commerce Division – Sandra Youngblood
• Communications Division – Chloe Hodge
• Executive Branch – Amber Gammon
• Finance Division – Sloan Selmon
• Integrated Services Division – Melissa McKinney
• Integrated Services Division – Ty Petitt
• Legal & Compliance Division – Randi Villars
• Strategic Development Division – Karen Cole
• Tribal Services Division – Yvette Edwards
• Tribal Services Division – Amanda Prewett
• Tribal Services Division (Health) – Steven Skimbo

Yakoke to each of these outstanding associates for the work you do every day to serve our tribal members and strengthen the Choctaw Nation.

This morning the Choctaw Nation received top honors from the Oklahoma Blood Institute during the 2025 Annual Tribal Blood Drive Challenge.
Choctaw Nation led the large tribe category with 1,826 total collections during the challenge period and achieved the highest projection accuracy at 102% of our goal. This friendly competition among tribal nations continues to grow each year and reflects the generosity and compassion of our people.
The 2025 challenge collected enough blood to help save 14,721 lives across Oklahoma and beyond, representing a 9% increase from the previous year.
Since electronic records began in 2004, Choctaw Nation blood drives have resulted in: • 1,006 drives • 79,206 blood donations • 237,618 lives saved
Yakoke to everyone who donated, volunteered, organized drives, and supported this important effort. Your willingness to give continues to make a difference for thousands of families and communities.

This morning, we joined tribal members, families, and friends for the annual Memorial Trail of Tears Walk to honor the memory, resilience, and strength of the Choctaw people.

Nearly 200 years ago, Choctaw ancestors became the first southeastern tribe forced from their homelands under the Indian Removal Act. The Trail of Tears brought unimaginable hardship and loss, but our people endured with faith, courage, and determination.

We were also honored to welcome Consulate General of Ireland Robert Hull as we recognized the lasting friendship between the Choctaw Nation and the people of Ireland. Not long after enduring the Trail of Tears, Choctaw citizens gave what little they had to help the Irish during the Great Famine, a powerful example of compassion in the face of hardship.

Today’s walk served as an important reminder that we must never forget the sacrifices of our ancestors and the strength they passed down to future generations.

Yakoke to everyone who participated this morning.

This morning I signed a proclamation designating May as Mental Health Awareness Month to encourage all citizens to promote understanding, extend compassion, and take action to support mental wellness.
Mental health affects individuals and families in every community, and it is important that we continue working together to reduce stigma, encourage open conversations, and ensure people know they are not alone.
By supporting one another and increasing awareness, we can help build healthier, stronger communities for future generations.