Sen. Burns congratulates Chief Batton on STAC appointment

OKLAHOMA CITY – Earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced the launch of the first-ever Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee (STAC) to ensure the tribal nations have better access to the department, along with more input on issues impacting their members. Sen. George Burns, R-Pollard, said he was extremely pleased that Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton was named as the primary tribal representative for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Eastern Oklahoma Region.

“I applaud the Department of Interior for establishing this important advisory committee and was so pleased to recommend Chief Batton to represent the tribal interests for eastern Oklahoma and our great state,” Burns said. “I know he will be a tremendous representative as his knowledge of tribal government, their economic needs and contributions, state partnerships and other critical issues is extensive. His dedication to the Choctaw Nation and our state has spanned more than three decades and he is admired and beloved by all who know him. I’m looking forward to the great work he will help accomplish on this national committee.”

Batton is the 47th Chief of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, the nation’s third-largest Indian tribe. Sworn into office April 28, 2014, his work with the tribe first began in 1987. Over the years, he has served as a Purchasing Department clerk; Deputy Director of the Choctaw Nation Housing Authority; and Executive Director of Health, where he oversaw the construction of the first tribally funded health facility in the country. He helped develop partnerships with organizations and governments that led to expanded health system services like Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) services and specialized care for high-risk youth with diabetes. Batton also was instrumental in the establishment of a dental hygienist program and a coalition with the state and other Oklahoma tribes that led to the creation of REACH, a program to combat cardiovascular disease through physical activity and education. He was also appointed Assistant Chief and served as the Chairman of the Choctaw Nation Business Committee where he helped significantly increase economic development for the tribe.

The STAC is made up of a primary tribal representative from each of the 12 BIA Regions, along with one alternate member from each region. The alternate member for the Eastern Oklahoma Region is Muscogee (Creek) Nation Second Chief Del Beaver.

The Southern Plains Region will also have Oklahoma representation with Pawnee Nation chair Walter Echo-Hawk serving as the primary member and Governor Reggie Wassana of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma serving as the alternate member.

For more information, contact:  Sen. Burns: (405) 521-5614 or George.Burns@oksenate.gov