Gov. Bill Anoatubby

Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby was recently selected “Humanitarian of the Year” by the Oklahoma Mental Health Consumer Council.

“This is a very meaningful award,” said Gov. Anoatubby. “To be recognized by such a fine organization and to join the company of those who have received this award is a great honor.”

Previous recipients of the prestigious award include Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry, Attorney General Drew Edmondson and Judge Nancy Coats.

Gov. Anoatubby first learned of the award in a letter from Kaye Rote, Executive Director of the organization.

“This honor is not given lightly,” wrote Ms. Rote. “Recipients must have demonstrated a strong commitment to improved mental health services and made significant contributions toward that improvement.”

She added that Gov. Anoatubby had been selected unanimously for the award for contributions “too numerous to list individually.”

Specific mention was made of Gov. Anoatubby’s leadership on the Oklahoma Governor’s and Attorney General’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence, as well as his work on the Governor’s Transformation Advisory Board.

Official presentation of the award was October 4 during the Annual Statewide Consumer Council Mental Health Conference.

Gov. Anoatubby was appointed to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority in April 2005. He also serves at the state and national levels in various positions of volunteer leadership.

A few of his wide ranging activities include service as Chairman of the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority; a trustee of the Morris K. Udall Foundation and Oklahoma City University; member of Fannie Mae’s National Advisory Council; board member of Oklahoma State Board for Easter Seals and Crippled Children; Leadership Oklahoma; Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence; Oklahoma Academy for State Goals; along with many others.