Chickasaw Nation accepting nominations for publication awards

Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2006 Chickasaw Nation Heritage Preservation Awards, for authors documenting Chickasaw history and culture. Authors of Books, doctoral dissertations, master’s theses and articles dealing with some aspect of Chickasaw heritage published in 2004 or 2005 may be eligible for awards ranging up to $5,000.

“We established this awards program to encourage academic works which will explore the depths of our history and culture,” said Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby. “We want to encourage and inspire authors to expand the scope of knowledge of our tribe’s history, heritage and culture.”

Gov. Anoatubby worked with Oklahoma Historical Society executive director Dr. Bob Blackburn and Dr. Paul Lambert, former historian-in-residence and executive director of the Oklahoma Heritage Association, to establish the program.

“We decided we want to encourage these kinds of works for their intrinsic value and because people who complete a master’s thesis or a doctoral dissertation in a particular field of study often continue to research and write on that general subject matter throughout their careers,” said Dr. Lambert. “We hope to recognize historians presently researching and writing on Chickasaw subjects as well as encouraging a new generation of historians to explore this interesting and important area of scholarship.”

Four awards will be available in 2006  for authors of the best works published in the following categories in 2004 and 2005.  Each year thereafter, works published during the previous year will be considered.  

A $5,000 award will be presented for best book, $4,000 for best doctoral dissertation, $2,000 for best master’s thesis and $1,000 for best article.

Cash awards and commemorative plaques are scheduled to be presented to winners Oct. 5, 2006 during the Chickasaw Annual Meeting
In future years the awards program may also provide material for a publishing company being established by the tribe to print literature of importance to the Chickasaw people.

“This program should compliment the new Chickasaw Press,” said Dr. Lambert. Authors will have potential of receiving an award for their work and will know that there is another outlet for publishing quality books on Chickasaw history and culture.”

To be eligible for consideration, published works in each category must deal specifically with some aspect of Chickasaw Heritage, including history, customs, traditions, visual and/or performing arts. Moreover, the works must be documented, either through the use of footnotes, endnotes or a listing of sources.

Books from any press, dissertations and theses from any accredited institution of higher learning, and articles from any periodical publication shall be considered providing that they meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the previous paragraph.

A selection committee consisting of Dr. Lambert, Dr. Blackburn, tribal historian Richard Green, Dr. Marvin Kroeker of Ada and Dr. Bill Pennington of Tishomingo will evaluate nominated works.

Nominations must include five copies of the book, dissertation, thesis, or article being nominated. Deadline for receipt of nominations is Friday, May 26, 2006. 

For information contact, Paul F. Lambert, Ph.D., The Chickasaw Nation, P.O. Box 1548, Ada, Oklahoma 74821

THE CHICKASAW NATION HERITAGE PRESERVATION AWARDS
for authors documenting Chickasaw history and culture
2006 Nomination Form

for Books, Dissertations, Theses, and Articles

 Published in 2004 or 2005

Only one award recipient per award category will be receive an award and the Chickasaw Nation reserves the right not to present an award in any category.

The awards are:

• Best Book - 2004-2005 - $5,000.00 plus a special plaque and public recognition
  
  
• Best Doctoral Dissertation - 2004-2005 - $4,000.00 plus a special plaque and public recognition
  
  
• Best Master’s Thesis - 2004-2005 - $2,000.00 plus a plaque/presentation piece and public recognition
  
  
• Best Article - 2004-2005 - $1,000.00 plus a special plaque and public recognition
  
  

Eligibility Requirements:  Published works in each category must deal specifically with some aspect of Chickasaw Heritage, i. e. history, customs, traditions, visual and/or performing arts.  Moreover, the books, dissertations, theses or articles must be documented, either through the use of footnotes, endnotes or a listing of sources.
Books from any press, dissertations and theses from any accredited institution of higher learning, and articles from any periodical publication shall be considered providing that they meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the previous paragraph.
Authors whose works meet the requirements outlined above are eligible to be considered for an award if their work fits one of the award categories with the exception of the exception of individuals employed in any capacity by the Chickasaw Nation.  Moreover, no individual serving on the Selection Committee may be considered for an award in the year in which the individual is serving on the committee. 

Deadline for Nominations:  Nominations must be received at the address indicated below by the end of business on May 31, 2006.

Presentation of Awards:  The awards will be presented on the evening of October 5, 2006

To Make a Nomination:  Please complete the form below and send it with five (5) copies of the book, dissertation, thesis or article that you are nominating to:

Paul F. Lambert, Ph. D.
The Chickasaw Nation
P. O. Box 1548 Ada, Oklahoma,  74821

Title of Book, disertation, thesis or article _______________________________________