Brad Clonch and Quin Tran join us again for another episode of CNTV News. Starting the program, they discuss the first-ever Chickasaw Virtual Gathering. On June 25, Chickasaws from around the world were invited to participate in a live stream version of the annual event, which featured Gov. Bill Anoatubby and other celebrated Chickasaw leaders. This allowed Chickasaw citizens and non-citizens alike to connect with the tribe and get vital updates on commerce and health policy. If you missed this event, the Chickasaw Nation will continue to host live events, which will be publicized on the Chickasaw Nation's Facebook page, as well as www.chicksaw.net.

Next, Quin spoke with Chickasaw Nation’s Health Undersecretary Dr. John Krueger about contact tracing for COVID-19. Contact tracing has been around since the 1800s but operates differently now. "Modern-day contact tracing is really about contacting, by telephone or in person, people you might have been in close contact with if you have contracted COVID," says Dr. Krueger. "Since we take the respiratory pathogen theory that COVID-19 spreads through the air, we ask who you have been in contact with. We then reach out to those people and inform them they may have been exposed." A common concern of the contact tracing process is the right to privacy, which Dr. Krueger acknowledges. Individuals who receive a contact trace will not be informed of who may have exposed them due to a U.S. federal government medical privacy statute, HIPPA.

Dr. Krueger in his interview with Quin also gives some updates as to testing facilities throughout the Chickasaw Nation service area. He states that over 16,000 individuals have been tested by the Chickasaw Nation, and that the testing priority is now shifting to Chickasaw Nation employees as Chickasaw-owned facilities and businesses continue to open. At the end of the interview, Brad and Quin remind individuals that if they had any coronavirus-related questions to call the Chickasaw Nation's COVID-19 hotline at (580) 272-1312.

Brad gives an update on the Chickasaw Nation's WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Supplemental Nutrition program, which launched a new application service online. This program is for pregnant or postpartum women, to provide nutritious foods and nutritional counseling at no cost. The WIC program is a USDA program administered by the Chickasaw Nation for native and non-native women within the Chickasaw Nation service area. To apply for these services, go to www.chickasaw.net/wic and a staff member will contact you.

Next, Brad tells us that the revised day to file taxes is July 15. The Chickasaw Nation offers tax help through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The VITA program has volunteer tax preparers for qualifying individuals and families. To learn more about the program, call (580) 272-5798.

Due to the impact of COVID-19, the annual Artesian Arts Festival was canceled this year. But as Brad and Quin report, a canceled festival doesn't mean that people can't engage with Chickasaw and indigenous artists. Exec. Officer of the Chickasaw Nation Arts & Humanities Division Laura Stewart describes how this festival has also moved online. The Chickasaw Nation is hosting the Artesian Online Art Market website, which allows over 50 native artists to showcase and sell their work. Artists can exhibit five pieces of art with the option to sell online. Until July 31, individuals have the option to browse and purchase art at www.artesianartsfestival.com.