District 3, October 2024

Halito! With another Labor Day behind us and summer coming to an end, we reflect back to just how busy and blessed this summer has been.

District 3 had the privilege to serve a “traditional meal” to our communities. With a pleasingly large turnout for both centers, Smithville and Talihina served salt pork, fried pork, banaha, tanchi lvbona, grape dumplings, green onions, and many other favorites. Many thanks to those that had a hand in making this event so successful and enjoyable.

Our seniors have been busy. Talihina’s seniors took a trip to Nashville, visiting the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium and many other historical venues. Smithville seniors took a trip to Branson to enjoy shows and shopping. The seniors put in a lot of hours and hard work throughout the year, having many fundraisers, and these types of trips are the fruits of their labor.

Speaking of labor, Labor Day 2024 was a great success. The turnout was good, good times were had and the good news of a promising future was delivered by Chief Gary Batton with the State of the Nation address. We are a blessed Nation. Congratulations to the 2024/25 Choctaw Royalty! Princesses Senior Miss Melea Jefferson, Junior Miss Daryan Eubanks, and Little Miss Ava Davenport, we know you will work hard and represent the tribe proudly. Congratulations also to all the competition winners. The festival gives opportunity for such a variety of competitors and exhibits that we get to see the talents of many of our tribal members. Thank you all for your participation making this festival something for everyone and so successful.

So, as summer ends, we turn our focus to fall/winter, which brings with it a busy schedule. October 24, Smithville will host a fall fest, November 2, Talihina seniors will be having an Indian Taco sale during the Talihina Fall Festival. The dates and times for the holiday dinners will be published in the upcoming editions of the Biskinik. Holiday food vouchers will be available to eligible low-income Choctaw applicants living within the Choctaw Nation Reservation beginning October 1 on Chahta Achvffa.

For the next few months, Brother Raymond Johnson will be leading a language social on the first Thursday of each month at the Talihina Community Center. A potluck dinner begins at 5:30 p.m., and the language class will follow. This is an informal gathering of speakers and those wanting to learn. Come join us.

Follow the Biskinik for the holiday event schedules and support the seniors whenever you can; they certainly appreciate it.

Yakoke. Chi pisa la chicke!