How the Chickasaw Nation grew its economy

Located in Oklahoma, the Chickasaw Nation operates more than 100 businesses and employs nearly 14,000 people. The federally recognized Native American tribe has come a long way since Governor Bill Anoatubby began working there as health director in the 1970s. “We had to use ingenuity because we did not have a lot of resources. We had the human resources that we needed to mobilize. We identified the resources we did have and moved forward,” said Anoatubby in an interview with Professor Karl Moore for The Globe and Mail. “Over time, we began investing in businesses and building the tribal economy. These investments helped us exponentially. We were able to employ tribal citizens, invest in sharing and preserving our tribal culture, and help fund and grow our programs and services outside of federal government money.”

Illustration of Bill Anoatubby: CHIEF LADY BIRD /THE GLOBE AND MAIL