Shortly after being introduced, Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby greeted Newcastle community members with the traditional Chickasaw greeting, “Chokma,” or hello.
Anoatubby was the guest speaker at the Tuesday, March 26 Newcastle Chamber of Commerce luncheon at The Barn at Country Club.
“We share a mutual goal for progress and prosperity for this area,” Anoatubby said. “It’s nice for us to be able to be here and share the Chickasaw Nation.”
Anoatubby discussed some of the history of the Chickasaw Nation saying he went to work there in 1975. At that time, they had a budget of about $1 million and 30 employees. He said 99.9% of the money they received came from the federal government. Today, the Chickasaw Nation has 100 different businesses, 200 different programs, and employs up to 14,000.
Anoatubby said the Chickasaw Nation has grown considerably and is now one of Oklahoma’s largest employers with a $5.5 billion economic impact statewide.
He said in Newcastle the Chickasaw Nation provides 850 jobs at the Newcastle Casino, the Newcastle Travel Gaming, and at the Chickasaw Nation Northern Regional Training Facility. That number is about to increase substantially as a new hospital, announced last year, is built through a joint venture by the federal government’s Indian Health Services and the Chickasaw Nation.
Anoatubby said the hospital will initially employ 3,500 people. Current estimates are that it could employ up to 7,500. It is expected to put $1.5 billion into the local economy.
He said the number moves when it comes to the size and number of people employed at the facility because the Chickasaw Nation has to go through its process and then through negotiations with the Indian Health Services.
The new hospital will be on 120 acres at the southwest corner of 16th Street and State Highway 62 (Main Street), which has been purchased by the Chickasaw Nation and placed into trust.
As with any large construction project, engineering, planning and architectural must be completed. This process will take at least a year and a half, according to tribal authorities.
Anoatubby said the Chickasaw Nation has worked over the years to increase health and healthcare services for its citizens.
He said, “We set a goal in the 1990s to have a healthcare facility within 35 miles of every Chickasaw.” Anoatubby said more information was recently shared by Dr. Grim, secretary of health with the Chickasaw Nation, in a community meeting “He shared that the size is currently estimated to exceed 3 million square feet of planned health delivery space, and will include a new hospital and other numerous outpatient and ancillary services,” Anoatubby said. “There are plans to address specialty and sub-specialty medical surgical ancillary healthcare needs and graduate medical education.”
As part of his addresss to the Chamber members, Anoatubby also mentioned the Chickasaw Nation’s substantial investments in education, public safety, infrastructure, and in providing disaster relief. He mentioned the importance of the tribe being partners in the sustained success of all the communities where the tribe is located.
He includes Newcastle among them.
“We all want to see Newcastle grow and flourish,” Anoatubby said. “As we collaborate on common goals, we continue with the progress and overall success of our community. Newcastle has a bright future. Together we will continue to see this community and its citizens prosper.”
