This time on CNTV News, there are new items on school supply lists this year: PPE or personal protective equipment. The Chickasaw Nation, along with emergency management teams, Pontotoc County, the city of Ada and the state, helped distribute the PPE to schools in Chickasaw Country. The items included thousands of cloth masks, gloves, gowns and face shields used to prevent the spread of COVID-19. "It was even more gratifying the next day when everything was passed out and made it to the school and the school that day passed it out," says George Jesse, Chickasaw Nation Central Region Emergency Manager. "I know that the school that my kids go to, they had theirs when they came home and they were wearing them the next day. It was something that I was proud to be a part of that the Chickasaw Nation was a part of."

The Chickasaw Nation continues to have COVID-19 test centers in place. The drive-through test centers are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pre-registration is recommended and can be done from your smart phone or computer at www.covidtesting.chickasaw.net. Chickasaw citizens are encouraged to participate in the 2020 Census, which occurs every ten years. This time, the census can be filled out online and the data collected determines how federal funding is distributed to communities. "In 2010 we were undercounted by about 5%. That's the largest undercount of any group so it's really important that we encourage each other and those that we know to participate in the census," says Kyle Key, Executive Officer of Self Governance – Interior Services.

Next, Quin interviews Akil Currie, a 21-year-old Chickasaw citizen who will be a contestant on the latest season of NBC's American Ninja Warrior. "It's going to be a different, exciting season. This is different than how they've ever done it any other season prior. I'm very blessed to be picked for this season," says Akil, who was chosen from tens of thousands of applicants. Akil sees this opportunity to continue the legacy of his ancestors as a Chickasaw warrior and to use his national platform to bring awareness to the opioid epidemic that his father succumbed to. Be sure to check your local NBC listings to watch and support Akil this season on American Ninja Warrior. To close the episode, CNTV News honors 2020 Chickasaw Hall of Fame inductee Tim Colbert.