CHOCTAW, Miss. — The New York Times recently featured the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians in an article detailing the National Endowment for the Humanities grants for 2020. The MBCI was one of three entities in Mississippi to be awarded one of these highly sought-after grants. The article can be found here.
The National Endowment for the Humanities’ mission is to support curriculum projects, historical collections and humanities exhibitions in the United States. The grant awarded to the Choctaws, which totals over $390,000, will allow the Tribe to fund the production of a print and electronic dictionary of the Choctaw language.
“This project funded by NEH will help the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians in our Language and Cultural revitalization efforts through documenting modern Choctaw language, publishing a Mississippi Choctaw Dictionary, and providing a digital resource for learning the Choctaw language,” said Jay Wesley, Director of Chahta Immi for the MBCI. The Department of Chahta Immi exists to inspire, promote, embrace, and enhance the cultural heritage of the Choctaw people.
“In these somber times, when every individual, community, and organization in America is feeling the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, it is a joy to be able to announce new projects that will produce vibrant humanities programs and resources for the reopening of our cultural centers and educational institutions,” said NEH Chairman Jon Parrish Peede.“ He went on to say that these projects “exemplify the spirit of the humanities and their power to educate, enrich, and enlighten.”
As one of the United States’ original first nations, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is the only federally recognized American Indian tribe living within the State of Mississippi. With over 11,000 members, Choctaw lands cover over 35,000 acres in 10 counties. Providing permanent, full-time jobs for over 5,000 Tribal-member and non-Indian employees, the Tribe is a major contributor to the state’s economy.
###
Mississippi Choctaws’ Educational Efforts Boosted by New Markets Tax Credit
CHOCTAW, Mississippi -- The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians recently closed a New Markets Tax Credit transaction related to its two new early childhood education centers and an elementary school expansion -- resulting in a $2.3 million benefit to the Tribe. “We...
Mississippi Choctaws Installing Technology in Commercial Buildings to Neutralize Covid-19 Virus
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is updating all of its commercial and industrial buildings with needlepoint bipolar ionization, a technology that will greatly enhance the air quality and provide neutralization against Covid-19. "In an...
Tribal Employee Becomes NCCER Certified as Instructor in HVAC
CHOCTAW, Miss. — Christopher Dearing lives in Philadelphia, MS with his family and currently is an employee of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. For the past three years, he has worked as an HVAC/R Technician for Choctaw Tribal Maintenance. He has over 10 years...
Mississippi Choctaws Receive 2.5 GHz Spectrum License to Assist in Broadband Access for Tribe
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians recently was awarded a 2.5 GHz license by the Federal Communications Commission, which will be used to provide wireless broadband service in portions of the Bogue Chitto and Conehatta communities. This license...
Tribal Employee Becomes NCCER Certified as Instructor in Electrical and HVAC
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- Brian Robinson currently works for the tribe as the Utility Engineer/Tribal Energy Manager and lives in Carthage, MS with his family. He has been an entrepreneur, having owned and operated Robinson Engineering, and has been the tribe's General...
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Receives $450,000 Grant From W.K. Kellogg Foundation
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has been awarded a $450,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to assist the Tribe in building a community that is food-secure with equitable access to fresh and healthy foods. The grant will be used to...
MBCI Offers NCCER Certification Training to Tribal EmployeesMBCI Offers NCCER Certification Training
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, in partnership with East Central Community College, is offering classes to Tribal employees that will allow them to obtain NCCER Certification. The National Center for Construction Education and Research...
Economic Development Director Encourages Those Thinking of Starting a New Business in 2020 or 2021
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- Although the United States has seen a stagnant economy during much of 2020, the Director of Economic Development for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians says this is actually an advantageous climate for starting a new business. Director John...
Choctaw Fresh Produce Provides Assistance to Tribe During COVID-19
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- Choctaw Fresh Produce has stepped up to serve the community during the COVID-19 pandemic by delivering over 4,000 pounds of organic produce to Tribal members who were in quarantine. From May through July, the certified organic farm, which typically...
John Hendrix
Director of Economic Development
601.650.1607
jhendrix@choctaw.org
Office of Economic Development
375 Industrial Road | STE 2
Choctaw, MS 39350
Tribal Businesses
