Published: June 30, 2008 11:37 am      

Chickasaw press receives honors

A publishing operation designed to print literature of importance to Chickasaw people is being honored by Harvard University.

Representatives of the Harvard University Honoring Nations program recently informed Chickasaw Nation officials that the Chickasaw Press will be recognized as an outstanding example of tribal governance programs.

“We are very pleased that our efforts to promote and preserve Chickasaw heritage and culture are being recognized by such a highly respected organization,” said Bill Anoatubby, governor of the Chickasaw Nation.

Two of the three books published by the Chickasaw Press since it was established in late 2005 have received extensive recognition.

The first book published by the press, “Chickasaw, Unconquered and Unconquerable” was a finalist for an Oklahoma Book Award in the Design and Illustration category in 2007.

That book also won two awards in the 11th Annual Independent Publisher Book Awards competition.

The book was named a gold award winner in the Multicultural Non-Fiction Adult category at the national level and won a bronze award in the Mid-West Best Regional Non-Fiction category.

A second organization PMA, The Independent Book Publishers Association, named

“Chickasaw, Unconquered and Unconquerable” a finalist for a Benjamin Franklin Award for interior design.

“Chickasaw Lives: Explorations in Tribal History” was named as a finalist for an Oklahoma Book Award in the Design and Illustration category in 2008.

Amanda Cobb-Greetham is administrator of the Chickasaw Nation Division of History and Culture, which oversees operation of the Chickasaw Press.

“We are thrilled, because recognition from the Honoring Nations organization is one of the highest accolades any tribal government can receive,” said Dr. Cobb-Greetham. “This honor really confirms our belief that the Chickasaw Press is a very effective method of promoting, preserving and revitalizing Chickasaw history and culture.”

“Never Give Up!: The Life of Pearl Carter Scott” was published by the Chickasaw Press in 2007. This biography by Dr. Paul Lambert tells the remarkable riches to rags to riches story of Chickasaw aviatrix Pearl Carter Scott.

Lambert, former historian-in-residence and executive director of the Oklahoma Heritage Association helped establish the press. He said that the Chickasaw Press goes hand in hand with a series of publication awards established by the tribe.

“We believe it’s an innovative approach,” said Lambert said at the time. “I don’t know of another tribe that is doing a press as well as a publication awards program. I think those are both really leading the way.”

Honoring Nation was established by the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development in 1998. The program is designed to identify and share outstanding examples of tribal governance.

Since its inception, about one fourth of the more than 560 federally recognized tribes have applied for recognition. The program has recognized 64 tribal government initiatives.

This is the second award for the Chickasaw Nation. In 2003, the Chickasaw Nation Chuka Chukmasi (beautiful home) loan program was recognized as one of the eight most effective and significant tribal government programs in the country.