Alexis Walker appreciates the benefits of Toksali SMART because she is a graduate of the program.
“ The Toksali SMART Program is beneficial for our youth,” said Walker, Toksali SMART curriculum design manager. “ It provides the opportunity ( for participants) to see careers in a different way. It also builds life and wellness skills that they may not be receiving in public schools.”
The Toksali SMART ( Successful Mindsets with Attitude and Readiness for Tomorrow) Program was developed by the Chickasaw Nation to train teenagers and young adults on what to expect while in the workforce. The program — formerly known as the Summer Youth Program — gives Chickasaw youth the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and leadership skills.
Toksali, the Chickasaw word meaning “ to work,” is a summer program that offers workforce training, mentoring and entrepreneurial experience to Chickasaws ages 14- 21.
The program strives to help Chickasaw youth develop productive work patterns and behaviors in real- world environments. Throughout its inception, the Toksali program has collaborated with many businesses and organizations within the Chickasaw Nation.
These collaborations give Chickasaw youth the ability to explore career opportunities and develop employment skills that align with their future goals and interests, while also strengthening the community workforce.
Experiences within the program may include virtual pre- employment training, job shadowing, mentoring, leadership opportunities, onthe- job training and more.
opportunities, participants also learn many skills in a virtual training environment.
“ I really like the online course because it taught me about banking systems and how financing and budgeting w o r k s , ” Toksali SMART participant Caylee Parry said. “ They also covered things like how much you should exercise each day. I feel like the courses are informative.”
Topics of study within the Toksali program include learning the C h i c k a s a w Nation’s core values, being introduced to the Chickasaw language and other cultural experiences, attending wellness and nutrition seminars and learning about customer service and leadership skills.
“ The Chickasaw Nation benefits from the Toksali SMART Program because it builds future leaders and employees,” Walker said. “ We see many of these students come back to work for the tribe. I am a product of the Toksali SMART P r o g r a m myself.”
Program participants are divided into three categories based on age. Level I ( Chaffa) is designed for students ages 14 and 15. They experience 100% virtual pre- employment training. They have the most flexible schedule of the groups. Level II ( Toklo) is for students ages 16 and 17. Level III ( Tochchi’na) is designed for 18 through 21- year- olds to explore their career interests. They participate at on- thejob training sites and follow the dress code appropriate for their position. They also complete a virtual training curriculum that is incorporated into their work schedule.
“ The advantages of the virtual program is that we are able to o f f e r our younger students a better way to go about learning preemployment skills,” Walker said. “ This is better than putting them on a job site with no skills.”
To best serve both participants and the community, Toksali offices are l ocated in A da, Ardmor e, Purcell and Tishomingo. To learn about program participation requirements or for more information, visit Chickasaw. net/ ToksaliSMART or call ( 580) 310- 9240.
