Release Date: Thursday, August 26, 2010
By Dana Lance, Media Relations Specialist
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office

An essay addressing the issue of what makes a "real Indian" earned Chickasaw student Ashley Vance a $2,500 college scholarship.

Ashley's essay focused on whether blood quantum is the most important factor in determining who is a "real" Indian.  Her great-grandfather was one-half Chickasaw.

"One problem for my tribal community is an unfortunate side effect of the dwindling blood quantum: how to be Native American when your genes almost deny it," she wrote.

Ashley concluded that the solution to keeping close to your heritage is through knowledge of your culture which provides a connection to one's ancestors.

This knowledge can make us whoever we wish to be like, with the characteristics of a lost relative looking for the rest of his family. We can learn about ourselves through this process, and who we can aspire to be."

"I have the choice to decide whether or not to be Native American, and I know what choice I will make."

Ashley, who just started her junior year at Regents School of Austin aspires to attend a northern college, and hopes to pursue a career in elementary education.
  
"I have always felt inspired by my teachers, and I hope I can give back when I am a teacher," she said.

As one of five winners of the Holland and Knight Young Native Writers Essay Contest the 16-year-old Austin resident was treated to a week-long trip to Washington, D.C.

The contest is designed to inspire a sense of pride, honor and dignity in young Native American high school students.

During her trip, Ashley and four other essay winners were honored at a ceremony at the National Museum of the American Indian.

Ashley is the daughter of Tommie Carolyn Norton-Vance and granddaughter of Tom and Jeanette Norton, who are active in the Chickasaw Nation Central Texas Council.

Ashley often volunteers at the local community library, as well serving meals at the Salvation Army on Christmas morning for the past four years. Through her school, Ashley also volunteers at a local nursing home and a crisis pregnancy center.

                                                                             
About the Young Writers Essay Contest
The Young Native Writers Essay Contest is a writing contest for Native American high school students and is designed to encourage young Native Americans to think about the critical issues impacting their tribal communities today.
Along with four other winners, Ashley Vance was awarded a $2,500 scholarship for her work. To read the wining essay follow this link: http://nativewriters.hklaw.com/ESSAYS/2010/index.asp.

*************************************************************************************************************************

THE CHICKASAW CULTURAL CENTER!
NOW IT IS OPENED TO THE PUBLIC - SO DO NOT GO TO OKLAHOMA WITHOUT SEEING
THIS WONDERFUL CULTURAL CENTER!
 
HERE A FEW PHOTOS OF THE CENTER




So tell your friends and neighbors about this wonderful place and the great story that it tells about the Unconquered and Unconquerable Chickasaw Nation.   This is an opportunity to learn more about the Chickasaws for everyone and to do it in a fun way - seeing our lodging, eat some of our foods, see wonderful dances and Chickasaw artists who make wonderful craft items and paintings.  Many of these items will be available in the gift shop at the center.   And do not miss the Honor Garden where each member of the Chickasaw Hall of Fame are honored. And if there are not enough Chocolate at the Cultural Center to suit you, you only need to take the short trip to exit 70 on IS-35 and visit the Bedre Chocolate Factory on the west side of the Intestate.

***************************************
The new Chickasaw Nation Medical Center and Hospital in Ada is now open.  It is the largest and best Indian Nation financed medical center in the country and will enable the Nation to provide our citizens with newer and better medical treatment than ever before.



********************************

It is not too soon to start planning to attend the 2010 Chickasaw Festival and Business Meeting!

It will all start on September 25th and concludes with the Annual Business Meeting.  All events except for the Annual Business Meeting are open to everyone.  And the only reason for the Business Meeting to be limited to Citizens is a matter of space.  There is an overflow tent that is usually full as well as the auditorium itself.  The following is a copy of Gov Anoatubby's June Message about the Annual Festival and Business Meeting.

"You are now receiving your official reminder to make your plans to be in Tishomingo Sept. 25 through Oct. 2 to attend the 50th Annual Meeting and Chickasaw Festival!  This year marks the 50th anniversary of our very first Annual Meeting. That event was at historic Seeley Chapel, about 20 miles south of our tribal headquarters in Ada.  Approximately 100 Chickasaws attended that first Annual Meeting. It was the small and unpretentious beginning of a very special and meaningful event that now attracts thousands of Chickasaws and friends annually to Tishomingo.  All the events associated with our Annual Meeting and Festival today stretch out over one week. There are so many things to do and see, any less time could not accommodate the schedule.  Back in 1960, everything was done in a day. What a big change over the past 50 years!

This year, we begin Annual Meeting and Festival on Sept. 25 with a full schedule of sporting events including Junior Olympics, Senior Olympics, our annual golf tournament and the co-ed slow pitch softball tournament.  Monday is set aside for the Chickasaw Princess Pageant in Ada. From Tuesday through Friday we enjoy cultural demonstrations, cultural tours, the Youthful Celebration, kids' activities tent and the petting zoo.  Monday, Sept. 27 is the popular Cultural Evening at Chickasaw Cultural Center (this year only due to road construction leading to KullIhoma), and Thursday, Sept. 30 features the Arts & Culture Awards followed by the artists' reception.  The unique and wonderful Southeastern Art Show and Market begins Friday, Oct. 1, and the Johnston County Riding Club Rodeo is the evening entertainment.  Saturday, Oct. 2 is the biggest day of all. Following the State of the Nation address at 9 a.m., the Chickasaw Traditional Meal is served and everyone enjoys the annual parade in downtown Tishomingo.  There are so many things to enjoy Saturday! Stickball demonstrations, the Chickasaw Dance Troupe and cultural demonstrations all are present on the grounds of the historic Chickasaw capitol. Arts and crafts vendors line Pennington Park and the “battle of the bands” Band Day extravaganza plays out at Tishomingo High School.  There is so much more, including tours of our new Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur and the Chickasaw White House in Emet.

There is something to do every day, and you will connect with so many Chickasaws and friends. This is a very special opportunity to learn so much about your tribe, your people and your heritage.  That's a lot of information designed to say – We want to see you at the 50th Annual Meeting and Chickasaw Festival!  You will never regret making this special trip and immersing yourself in Chickasaw culture, history and lifestyle. Remember, the 50th Annual Meeting and Festival begins Saturday, Sept. 25 and continues through Saturday, Oct. 2. Make your plans today. We would love to see you!"

REMINDER

Since the CCCCTX is a IRS 501 (c) 3 charity, any donation given to the CCCCTX before the end of the calendar year can be used as a charitable donation up to the limits as set by the IRS.  Such donations are greatly appreciated and help the Council carry out its mission to help preserve Chickasaw history and culture and to help Chickasaw peoples in the Central Texas area reconnect with their history and culture.

THE POWWOW SEASON IS ABOUT TO BEGIN AGAIN IN 2010.  SO SUPPORT THE LOCAL INDIAN EVENTS BELOW IF YOU CAN.

The photos you see below are of Cheyene and Chayton Hoskins the daughter and son of David and Elena Hoskins, Chayton's warrior look and our own Alberto Velazquez who is just getting started at dancing.   Cheyene does fancy shawl dancing and Chayton dances with his father.   These young folks are our future and to see them getting connected with their culture at such a young age warms the hearts of every Native American and those who love the Nativc American culture.   Their parents and grandparents are to be thanked for "Passing Down the Legacy". 

For more Photos go to the Council Photo Page