September 15, 2021

Chickasaw Nation News

Chickasaw Nation health officials stress that continued mitigation efforts such as responsible distancing, masking and vaccinations are key to preventing serious illness from COVID-19 and its variants. Dr. John Krueger, Under Secretary for the Chickasaw Nation Department of Health, tells CNTV News that for every person infected with the Delta variant of COVID-19, they are going to infect five to eight more people. Unvaccinated people who contract the Delta variant have more severe symptoms and possibly hospitalization or death. Vaccines continue to be available to all at no cost, regardless of tribal citizenship or state residency. To learn more or schedule a vaccine appointment, visit www.covidvaccine.chickasaw.net.

The blood supply in Oklahoma is low and the Chickasaw Nation is encouraging all citizens, employees and community members to give blood as part of the intertribal blood donation challenge. To learn more, visit www.chickasaw.net/blooddrive.

Due to the ongoing pandemic and for the safety of citizens and the surrounding communities, the 2021 Chickasaw Nation Annual Meeting and Festival will again be a virtual celebration. The online gathering is set for September 25 through October 2. Visit www.annualmeeting.chickasaw.net to see the latest schedule, explore videos, photos and more.

In other news, Chickasaw citizen Matison Worcester is the recipient of the Louie LeFlore & Grant Foreman scholarship. The Intertribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes of Oklahoma presents the scholarship every year to a student pursuing nursing or other health-related fields. Matison is working on her nursing degree at East Central Oklahoma University.

Next, the Chokka' Kilimpi' recruitment and retention program helps support Chickasaw students make strong connections during college. The centers located on the campuses of the University of Oklahoma, University of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Community College and Murray State College provide a home away from home for students and help them navigate college life and beyond. To learn more, visit www.chickasaw.net/ck.

There are four new Chickasaw Press titles releasing this year, including "Little Bird," a novel by Mary Ruth Barnes. The Chickasaw author speaks with CNTV News about her upcoming historical fiction novel, which is based on real events and the life of her great-great-grandmother. "Little Bird" is set to release on September 30 and can be pre-ordered on the Chickasaw Press website at www.chickasawpress.com.

To close the episode, the pandemic created challenges for Chickasaw citizen and Texas A&M performance studies major Olivia Parker, who turned them into a transformative learning experience. She explains in an interview with Quin how she had to use shower curtains on the volleyball courts in order to stay safe from COVID-19. Not being able to touch and connect with her dance partner provoked powerful emotions and those moments became the research question for her undergraduate thesis. Olivia's final project, "These Walls" explores elements of the summer 2020 pandemic experience, long distance relationships, and the struggle to stay connected. It can be viewed on the Olivia Grace Creates YouTube channel.

SHOW MORE