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 Receive Grant to Assist with Complete Broadband Coverage for Tribe
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians recently was awarded a grant from First Nations Development Institute in the amount of $15,000. The grant is part of the Building Digital Technology Capacity in Native American Communities Project. "This grant...
Mississippi Choctaws Offering Wi-Fi Access in all Tribal Schools
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- In an effort to provide better access to technology for its students, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is now offering Wi-Fi at all Tribal school locations. This includes six elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school on Tribal...
“Beyond Blue” Launches Nationally – Tribe Investing in Video Games, Future
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has made an investment in the youth of the Tribe by becoming a financial partner in the recently released video game, Beyond Blue. The video game is available for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Apple Arcade and was...
Mississippi Tribe Sees Opportunity in Luring Chinese Manufacturing
CHOCTAW, Miss -- For many domestic companies, the coronavirus has exacerbated troubles they were already having manufacturing in China, after the U.S. levied large import tariffs last year on Chinese-made goods. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians sees there might...
Tips on Building Professional Skills During the COVID-19 Quarantine
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- As most Americans are spending more time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, it can bring a feeling of unease for many who are worried about the status of their jobs when restrictions are eased. However, this additional free time at home offers...
Director of Economic Development Wins Scholarship Award to Site Selectors Guild Annual Conference
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- John Hendrix, Director of Economic Development for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, was recently awarded one of five scholarships to attend the Site Selectors Guild Annual Conference. This conference brings together all 51 global members of...
MBCI Member Selected to Mississippi Economic Council’s Leadership Mississippi Class of 2020
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- Sarah Swanner-Medlock, a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI), was recently selected as one of 48 standout Mississippians to participate in the Mississippi Economic Council’s (MEC) Leadership Mississippi Class of 2020. Medlock, a...
SBA Offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans
The Small Business Administration Offers Economic Injury Disaster Recovery Loans For businesses that are suffering during the COVID-19 outbreak, the SBA is offering loans to provide working capital to help meet payroll and other necessary financial obligations. This...
MBCI Office of Economic Development Offers Cash Management Advice for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- As the country deals with the health crisis and economic fallout from the COVID-19 virus, the Office of Economic Development for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians offers advice to help small businesses manage their finances during this...
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
