Latest news with #ChoctawNationofOklahoma
CBS News
15-05-2025
- CBS News
Law enforcement, motorcycle enthusiasts ride 1,000 miles to bring attention to Indigenous sex trafficking
A group of local law enforcement officers, Indigenous advocates, and motorcycle enthusiasts rode more than 1,000 miles to the Navajo Nation in Arizona to raise awareness about sex trafficking and violence affecting Native American communities. The issue strikes at the heart of Indigenous populations. According to the National Congress of American Indians, 40% of women involved in sex trafficking identify as Native American, despite Indigenous women comprising less than 10% of the population in North America. Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma The ride began in the Dallas-Fort Worth area but was briefly delayed by severe hailstorms in western Texas. "They looked up, and all you see is the black sky," said rider Janette Nunez Perez. "We finally pulled into a gas station, and that hail was just coming down." Despite the weather, the group pressed on. "I wanted to go home a couple of times because it was rough," Nunez Perez said. "But we went there for a purpose. We wanted to be heard, and we wanted to raise awareness." Retired Rowlett Police Detention Officer Brian Wilburn also joined the ride, continuing to the Navajo Nation to spotlight the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, or MMIW. The movement is symbolized by a red handprint and draws attention to the more than 5,000 Native American women who go missing in the U.S. each year, according to the National Crime Information Center. "It's a considerable effort, especially coming from DFW—or in my case, from Arkansas," Wilburn said. "Folks came from Oklahoma, or Massimino, coming from Italy. It's a huge effort, but the people appreciate it. They've embraced us." One of the most recent MMIW cases is that of 14-year-old Apache teen Emily Pike, who disappeared in January. Her dismembered body was found weeks later. "Murder is the third leading cause of death for Native American women. That's unacceptable," said Jayne Vaughn, a member of the Fort Worth Litas, an all-female motorcycle group that made the trip. "It's heartbreaking. You go from sad to angry and wish you could do more," Vaughn said. "You wish you could get the story out." Gabriel Kanawite, who grew up on a reservation in the Navajo Nation, said the issue is deeply personal. "A lot of times we almost feel as if we're forgotten," Kanawite said. "Every Indigenous community and reservation in the U.S. feels that way. We feel invisible to the world." The riders hope their journey sparks awareness and change—and that next year's ride will be even bigger.
Irish Independent
12-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Wicklow man first from Ireland to be invited on Choctaw's ‘Trail of Tears' – ‘It's tough...mosquitoes, the heat and stray dogs'
Wicklow People Today at 01:00 A Wicklow academic with a vested interest in the age-old bonds between Ireland and Native American nations will make history this month when he and an old friend from have the honour of being the first Irish citizens to join the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma on the 'Trail of Tears Cycle'. On May 17, Rathdrum native Dr Padraig Kirwan and his former cycling clubmate Andrew Castles will join riders from across the USA on a seven-day journey that follows one of the historic routes walked by the Choctaw during their removal from tribal homelands by the US government in Mississippi during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Drowned Land' shines light on Choctaw water rights movement
Sandra Hale SchulmanSpecial to ICT It took seven years for the feature directorial debut of Colleen Thurston's 'Drowned Land' to be completed, a journey that took her along with a community of people within her tribe, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and their fight to preserve water rights to the Kiamichi River. The damming and diversion projects that corporations and states actively pursue in spite of the harmful consequences unfurl through the stories of local advocates, scientists and Choctaw culture-keepers. 'Drowned Land' highlights a fight that is as much about protecting the river ecosystem as it is about breaking cycles of exploitation and displacement. The film premiered in Washington, D.C. The next screening is April 25 at Thin Line Film Festival in Denton, Texas. Upcoming screenings are planned for Seattle, Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Omaha. 'The looming threat of a dammed Kiamichi is not just existential,' Thurston told ICT. 'This is a source of life-giving water and the risk that diversion and commodification bring not only threatens the river's survival but that of its surrounding communities. My hope is that by connecting our peoples' history of displacement due to resource extraction with the present-day struggle of water protectors who are actively working to break these cycles, 'Drowned Land' can offer a glimmer of hope that there are real solutions. 'Among those is a call to return to our traditional matriarchal ways of being where life-giving sources – mothers and rivers – are centered in our societies. These issues exist within the larger context of the Rights of Nature movement, which recognizes waterways as living beings with inherent rights. Acknowledging the Kiamichi in these ways can and will help protect it.' Thurston attended the premiere screening in D.C. with hundreds in attendance. 'I was there along with Sandy Stroud, Choctaw, and Charlotte Robbins Leonard, Choctaw, who are two of our protagonists from the documentary and our producer, Michelle Lee Svenson. Then the other two screenings in Santa Fe and LA went really well. There were post screening discussions in both places, and we had members of our team on the ground there as well. It feels really exciting and something to celebrate that everything came together like that. 'It was an urgent issue, but it took seven years from conceptualization until release.' Thurston said it started out as a different documentary that was looking at the story of man-made lakes in Oklahoma. But after working in the communities that were affected, she just kept hearing the call was the story of the fight to protect that water source. 'We built relationships and formed collaborations with some of the water protectors. I had an incredible crew of talented filmmakers as the story shifted with events. I was going to make the approach that was more of a historical documentary about man-made lakes and the stories of the people that were tied to the land. But it's really important if you're coming to a community and telling stories with them to be led by that community and tell the stories that they want to tell.' Thurston said she learned a great deal. 'In Oklahoma, it often seems to be that nobody cares about us. Even from before the founding of the state with the removals of the eastern tribes into Oklahoma, it's like this was a dumping ground almost. It's been seen as a throwaway place, and I address that in the film. The new value comes from resource extraction, whether it's oil or water, coal or timber. What was most striking is the mindset shift that I felt I overcame, well, this is Oklahoma. So, of course, they're going to exploit this water source, but they can fight back and win. ' Thurston said she realized, if that can happen in rural Oklahoma, an environmental movement can protect a water source anywhere. 'I'm hoping that the film can shed light on the positive aspects of Oklahoma. It's a beautiful place. It's full of people that have survived this trauma, relocation and dispossession. We continue to survive trauma from both internal forces in the state and external. But at the same time, this is what resiliency looks like. And it's not just surviving. It's people that are thriving. It's people that are creating a film community, being leaders and environmental movements. That's really empowering.' Thurston hopes the film will build awareness of this water rights movement. Another part of it is to elevate the concept of protecting the rights of nature, which focuses on recognizing and granting legal protection for non-human bodies like water sources such as rivers. 'We're really hoping to accomplish a lot, but even if somebody comes into our screening from a different community, and they leave thinking, 'Where does my water come from when I turn on the tap? What is that water source?' And if they start to think about who are the stewards of that water, both currently and historically and traditionally, that's an educational campaign that we want to amplify. 'I want to utilize this film as a jumping-off point for other Choctaw filmmakers. This is the kind of work that we can be doing in the state and in the Choctaw nation, to gain awareness for that and support for that as well.' Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute $5 or $10 today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICT's free newsletter.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Leadership Oklahoma to honor Taylor, three others at event
Former Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court Steven W. Taylor will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from Leadership Oklahoma, according to a media release. Taylor, former mayor of McAlester, will be recognized for decades of dedicated service to Oklahoma, according to the release. Taylor 'has made a lasting impact through his judicial leadership and commitment to civic engagement,' the release states. 'The Excellence in Leadership Gala is an opportunity to celebrate those who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and service across Oklahoma,' said Jodi Lewis, President & CEO of Leadership Oklahoma. 'These honorees have not only excelled in their respective fields but have also dedicated themselves to strengthening communities and inspiring others.' Taylor is one of four honorees at the 2025 Excellence in Leadership Gala on April 26 in Oklahoma City: — Distinguished Graduate Award: Alison Anthony (Class XXIII & Lifetime Member), Tulsa – A Leadership Oklahoma alumna who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in her professional and philanthropic endeavors, making a lasting difference in her community. — Statewide Community Award: Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma – Honored for its outstanding contributions to the betterment of Oklahoma communities through economic development, cultural preservation, and community outreach. — Business Leadership Award: Dillingham Insurance, Enid – Recognized for their commitment to ethical business practices, innovation, and their positive impact on the Oklahoma business landscape. The 2025 Gala, to be held at the Skirvin Hotel, will be will include a formal dinner, award presentations, and an opportunity to connect with leaders from across the state, the release states. Sponsorship opportunities and ticket information are available by visiting or contacting Vivian Le at vivian@
