District 4, October 2024

Halito, and welcome Fall!

As we step into the cooler days of autumn, I know many of us are ready for a break from the summer heat. There’s been plenty of excitement in District 4 over the past few months, and I’m thrilled to share some of the highlights with you.

A big congratulations to Shirley Terry, who has been named District 4’s 2024 Chahtapreneur of the Year! Shirley is the proud owner of Baby Bears Home Cooking and Lil’ Ice Cream Truck in Wister. Her hard work and dedication to her businesses have made us all incredibly proud. Way to go, Shirley!

In July, we celebrated a special moment with the ribbon-cutting ceremonies for the new LEAP homes in Heavener and Cameron. It’s always a joy to see families receiving the keys to their new homes, and this milestone marks another step forward for our tribe’s growth and progress.

Our District 4 seniors have been active and on the move! The Poteau seniors enjoyed a trip to Branson, while the Spiro seniors had a wonderful visit to the Museum of Native American History in Bentonville, Arkansas. If you haven’t already, I encourage all of our seniors to take advantage of the Wednesday lunches at a community center near you.

A huge congratulations to our District 4 Chahta Foundation scholarship recipients:

• Brooklyn Latham (Poteau)
• Corbin Miller (Spiro)
• Emma Baker (Poteau)
• Kenli Lovell (Poteau)
• William Herrington (Poteau)
• Kaitlyn Glasgow (Pocola)
• Phillip Sanders (Poteau)
• Shelby Fitzer (Cameron)

We are incredibly proud of each of you and look forward to watching you achieve your dreams!

Councilman Ron Perry and I recently had the honor of attending the Camp Chahta Freshman Year Initiative Banquet at Carl Albert State College. With 37 freshmen kicking off their college journey, it was an inspiring event, and we wish all of you the best in your academic pursuits.

Mark your calendars for October 18! We will be breaking ground on our new community center, a beautiful facility that will serve as a hub for all of us to come together. We’ve outgrown our current space, and this new center will be a true reflection of our district’s growth and vitality. Join us for lunch at 11:00 a.m., followed by the groundbreaking at 1:00 p.m. I hope to see you there!

It fills my heart with pride to see District 4 thriving and expanding. As we continue to grow, I am always here to support you. If there’s anything I can assist with, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Yakoke and God Bless!