Tribal legislator Mitch Sperry dies
ARDMORE, Okla. - Mitchell Sperry, a Chickasaw Tribal Legislator representing Pickens District, died unexpectedly early Wednesday, Dec. 21.

Motor Inn to be razed, Artesian to rise in Sulphur
Demolition of the Chickasaw Motor Inn, slated for mid-January, 2006, marks a new era in the development of Chickasaw Nation businesses.

OKCMCCC schedules January meeting
The Oklahoma City Metro Chickasaw Community Council will set the calendar of events and establish guest speakers for the year at the first 2006 meeting scheduled for Jan. 3.

Health System recognized by state for excellence
OKLAHOMA CITY - The Chickasaw Nation Health System (CNHS) was honored with a certificate of excellence from the Oklahoma Department of Health Certified Healthy Business Program during the recent Turning Point Council meeting in Oklahoma City.

Classic Artesian Hotel to be built in Sulphur
SULPHUR, Okla. - Construction of a new Artesian Hotel in downtown Sulphur is slated to begin soon.

Engle honored for support of mental health services
Chickasaw Nation employee David Engle was recently honored by Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers of Southern Oklahoma for “his tireless efforts to improve the lives of the mentally ill.”

Chickasaw words & Phrases
New Year –Afammi Himona / Today is New Year’s Day. Himmaka nittak at Afammi Himona.

Chickasaw emphasis on education inspired Burney Institute
Education was of great importance to the Chickasaw people. After Removal to Indian Territory, Chickasaws went to work to establish schools for their children in this new land.

Chickasaw Children’s Choir enjoys Moscow ensemble
ADA, Okla. - Members of the Chickasaw Children’s Choir (CCC) recently had the honor of attending a concert by the Moscow Boys Choir.

Business performance aids capital projects, tribal programs
FINANCIAL REPORT

Chickasaw Foundation Winter Welcome
The Chickasaw Foundation hosted its annual Winter Welcome on December 9th. The cold weather created a warm atmosphere inside for dozens of people who dropped by to celebrate the holiday season with the staff.

Chickasaw Foundation Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations to Ms. Chelsea Moore and Mr. Joseph Wallace who were recently selected as the 2005-2006 recipients of the Robert L. Walton Memorial Scholarship and the Bank2 Banking Scholarship – In Memory of Mr. Robert Walton respectively from the Chickasaw Foundation.

Chickasaw Foundation Christmas Luncheon
The Chickasaw Foundation, Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search staff along with the Board of Trustees enjoyed a Christmas luncheon and gift exchange on December 1st at the Governor’s Room located in the Wellness Center on the campus of East Central University.

Employee Charitable Contribution Plan update
The Chickasaw Foundation would like to ask the contributors who donate to the Foundation to notify them of any address changes due to the new 911 laws.

Chickasaw Foundation announces new scholarships for 2006
The Chickasaw Foundation Board of Trustees is proud to announce the addition of its newest scholarships for 2006.

SBICs, licensed by SBA, offer matching funds options
After last month’s column about small business owners and venture capital, several people wrote in to ask more about Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs).

Chickasaw Foundation Upward Bound program update
The Chickasaw Foundation Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search staff attended the 34th Annual Southwest Association of Student Assistance Programs (SWASAP) conference in Albuquerque, NM on November 13th-16th.

Diabetes Prevention Program works to hold off disease
It is no secret that diabetes has affected the American Indian community on drastic levels. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), seven percent of the American population has the disease.

Lazer Zone now features miniature golf, black light bowling and more
ADA, Okla. - The Lazer Zone Family Fun Center in Ada has recently updated its facilities to enhance and expand its already spacious entertainment center.

‘I Hate School – How to Help your Child Love Learning’
“Even students who are getting good grades often hate school,” Cynthia Tobias, author of “I Hate School – How to Help Your Child Love Learning,” points out in the introduction to this fast-paced and informative book.