Chickasaw Nation Lt. Governor Chris Anoatubby sworn in as Governor, succeeding Governor Emeritus Bil

In accordance with Chickasaw Constitution, Lt. Governor becomes Governor for remainder of Governor Emeritus Bill Anoatubby’s unexpired term

ADA, Okla – Chickasaw Nation Governor Chris Anoatubby took his oath of office as Governor during a June 26 oath of office ceremony at Ataloa Theatre on East Central University’s campus.

In doing so, he assumed leadership of the Chickasaw Nation Office of Governor from Chickasaw Nation Governor Emeritus Bill Anoatubby, who previously announced his retirement in his unprecedented 10th consecutive term.

In accordance with the Chickasaw Constitution, Article XV, Section One which states that “in case of death, resignation, impeachment, or recall of the governor, the Lieutenant Governor shall immediately become governor for the remainder of the unexpired term.” This process was complete upon the swearing in of Governor Chris Anoatubby by Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Bellefeuille-Gordon.

Governor Chris Anoatubby said he considers it an incredible honor and privilege to serve the Chickasaw Nation.

“Together, we have made tremendous progress in our mission to enhance the overall quality of life of the Chickasaw people,” Governor Chris Anoatubby said. “And together, we will continue to add to the pages of our tribe’s rich history of solidarity and self-determination.”

Governor Emeritus Bill Anoatubby expressed confidence in the newly sworn-in Governor Chris Anoatubby and the tribe’s leadership team to lead the Chickasaw Nation to further success.

He said Governor Chris Anoatubby has proven his commitment to the Chickasaw people through nearly 30 years of service, from his earliest role as staff pharmacist to his work in commerce and service as Lt. Governor.

“In each position along the way, he has helped improve and advance our ability to enhance the overall lives of Chickasaw citizens,” Governor Emeritus Bill Anoatubby said. “He knows our programs, because he helped create some of them, and he helped implement many of them. He understands the needs of our people, because he has worked tirelessly to meet them for nearly 30 years, and he knows how our tribe operates.

“He has the education, the experience, and he is well-prepared to lead this great Nation into its next chapter.”

Governor Chris Anoatubby graduated from Byng High School in 1990 before earning his bachelor of science degree in pharmacy from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 1997. He went on to earn a master’s degree in business administration from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma.

Beginning his career with the Chickasaw Nation in 1997 as a staff pharmacist, Governor Chris Anoatubby was named inpatient pharmacy supervisor in 1998. He became chief of pharmacy services in 2001 and earned a promotion in 2010 to chief medical solutions officer and president of the tribe’s Sovereign Medical Solutions. In these roles, he implemented electronic records, pharmacy interface systems, patch testing and pharmacy database systems. He also played a major role in the creation of the state-of-the-art automated pharmacy center in Ada that opened in 2007.

He was named under secretary in the Chickasaw Nation Department of Commerce, where he led business diversification efforts in health-related fields, such as health care, pharmaceutical industries and health information technology.

He also served as deputy secretary of the Chickasaw Nation Department of Health, where he oversaw all clinical and nonclinical programs and services for the department.

He was elected as Lt. Governor in 2019, where he played major roles in the tribe’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and expanding the tribe’s public safety infrastructure following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2020 and ensuing Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals ruling in 2021 that affirmed multiple tribes in Oklahoma, including the Chickasaw Nation, have reservations and exercise criminal jurisdiction over them.

Governor Chris Anoatubby said the deep roots planted by tribal forebearers were nurtured by each generation and reinforced by the Chickasaw Constitution.

“Community, culture, faith and family – our tribe is firmly rooted in a foundation of core values, with a strong tradition of service,” he said.

Governor Chris Anoatubby said Governor Emeritus Bill Anoatubby’s words echo a sense of purpose possessed by the Chickasaw Nation’s greatest tribal leaders and that he has embodied throughout his life.

“Today, it is with that same spirit of duty and a profound sense of gratitude that I commit myself to honorably serve the Chickasaw people as Governor of the Chickasaw Nation, and to strive to build upon the work and progress of those who came before, so that it may benefit those who come after, just as Chickasaws have always done.

“As the longest serving leader in Chickasaw history, words feel inadequate to describe the far-reaching impact of Governor (Bill) Anoatubby’s leadership,” Governor Chris Anoatubby said. “He established a strong and sustainable economic foundation that enabled us to fund tribal operations and create new opportunities for Chickasaws”

Governor Anoatubby said the special occasion honored the enduring strength of Chickasaw tribal government and the continuation of a commitment that propelled the tribe to remarkable progress and its commitment to serve the Chickasaw people.

“We celebrate the beginning of a new chapter. And with it, the understanding that every chapter of Chickasaw history belongs to an ongoing story that began long before us and will continue to be written by our children and our grandchildren, and generations to come,” Governor Emeritus Bill Anoatubby said.

Governor Chris Anoatubby said the leadership transition continues in perpetuity as one tribe with one mission, to enhance the overall quality of life of the Chickasaw people.

“To our legislators and judges, we have a wonderful working relationship, and I really look forward to working with you to improve the lives of the Chickasaw people. To our leaders and dedicated employees, and most of all to the Chickasaw people, our government is strong. Our economic foundation is stable, our culture is thriving, and we have every reason to be confident in our future together,” he said. “We have plans, informed and prioritized by the voices of the Chickasaw people, that have been in place for years.”

Governor Chris Anoatubby said the Chickasaw Nation will continue looking to the guidance of tribal leaders in seeing those plans to fruition.

“We will listen to the input of Chickasaw citizens, as we always have,” he said. “And we will continue to foster strong, collaborative partnerships in education, in health, in law enforcement and all those who share similar goals.”