2024 Year in Review: Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma reflects on another successful year

2024 was another successful year for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, from business and economic successes to tribal member triumphs and another successful Labor Day Festival.

In this issue of the Biskinik, we will show you some of the highlights from last year.

We at the Biskinik want to wish all of our readers a happy New Year and we look forward to bringing you more good news in 2025.

Programs and Services

The Choctaw Nation is committed to serving tribal members through programs and services. 2024 has been a challenging year for some, and these services and programs have continued to help many tribal members meet their basic needs.

One service that has assisted people in 2024 is the burial assistance program. Paying for a funeral can be difficult for many families. The Choctaw Nation has been able to step in and help. Families can receive as much as $2,500 through this program toward the funeral costs. This program has helped many tribal members during an already difficult time.

Another program that has helped tribal members during times of need this year is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This program is designed to assist with paying heating and cooling bills for Native American households within the Choctaw Nation Reservation. This is especially vital during times of extreme heat and cold experienced in recent years.

Some tribal members might not be aware of the services and programs offered by the Choctaw Nation. This year’s outreach opportunities helped inform and direct people to the help they need. Events like Outreach at the Beach in the summer offer opportunities to connect with the people behind the programs and services. Information booths are set up, and employees are on-site to answer questions and give information. These outreach events are a vital part of getting relevant information to harder-to-reach areas of the Choctaw Nation Reservation.

Business and Economic Development

Business and economic development are essential to the Choctaw Nation’s goal of coordinating, engaging, and empowering local communities and tribal members to grow a vibrant, sustainable economy.

In 2024, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma saw many wins in its business endeavors. Below are some of the highlights from the year.

In February, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) was recognized on Choctaw Nation Among Top 50 on Forbes List of America’s Best Large Employers for 2024Forbes’ List of America’s Best Large Employers for 2024. CNO was ranked 32nd among 600 organizations, jumping 90 spots from 2023’s ranking. This made them the highest-ranked in three categories: Government Service industry, Oklahoma-based company and Tribal Nation.

Three Rivers Meat Company, in partnership with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting event in Octavia/Smithville on April 12.

In May, the National Safety Council recognized the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma with the prestigious Occupational Excellence Achievement Award for 2024. The Choctaw Nation (CNO) is the first tribe to receive the award, recognizing organizations with injury and illness records better than or equal to 50 percent of the Bureau of Labor Statistics for their NAICS code – and have no fatalities during the previous calendar year.

Choctaw Landing, the Choctaw Nation’s newest 100-room luxury resort and casino in Hochatown, Oklahoma, held its grand opening on May 23.

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma recognized 12 small businesses at its annual Chahtapreneur Award Ceremony inside Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant on June 25. Kyle Fincher of Southeastern Recycling was named Chahtapreneur of the Year.

In September, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) was recognized on Forbes’ List of the Best Employers by State for 2024. CNO was ranked second out of 35 organizations in Oklahoma.

Economic Impact

In March, the Choctaw Nation released the findings of its latest economic impact study, which seeks to determine how the Tribe benefits the State of Oklahoma in areas such as employment, education, housing, healthcare, and other areas. The report, prepared by Dr. Kyle Dean, an economist for the Center for Native American Studies at Oklahoma City University, indicated a remarkable $3.2 billion economic impact from the Tribe (2021), up from an already impressive $2.5 billion in the previous report (2019).

CNO Small Business Development

The Choctaw Development Fund supports economic viability and sustainability by partnering with Choctaw small business owners, cities, and municipalities to create long-term growth and jobs within the  Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

This year, one of the resources offered through SBD is the new Chahtapreneur Business Center in Durant. Located in the Gregory E. Pyle Tribal Complex, the center provides a co-working space for Choctaw tribal members enrolled in SBD programs. In addition, the center offers business advising, training, seminars, meeting spaces and more.

Around 50 tribal member-owned small businesses received a $5,000 forgivable loan through the Community Development Fund.