Published: October 10, 2007 11:21 am      

State tribes players in global economy

Neal McCaleb told a group of international and business leaders Tuesday that Oklahoma Indian tribes are players in the global economy.

McCaleb, chairman of Chickasaw Nation Enterprises, told those at the Centennial Business Conference in Oklahoma City that the Chickasaw Nation has approved a memorandum of understanding with the government of Slovakia “to extend trade between these two sovereigns.”

McCaleb, former director of the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs and a member of the Chickasaw Nation, chaired a panel discussion at the conference.

The Chickasaw Nation headquarters is located in Ada.

McCaleb told the international business leaders that Oklahoma’s 37 recognized federal tribes should be considered as trading partners along with U.S. and state governments and private businesses.

“All five civilized tribes were relocated here in the 1830s,” McCaleb said. “We have 170 years history of self governance in the Indian tribes in Oklahoma. Many other tribes in the United States don’t have that long history.”

Phil Busey, chief executive officer of Oklahoma City-based The Busey Group, which was formed in 2000 to help tribal governments develop strategic business alliances, also attended Tuesday’s conference.

“We take tribal governments and try to put them together with large companies to create strategic alliances that will benefit those companies,” Busey told The Oklahoman.

Ed Kephart, a member of the Comanche Nation who formerly served as the director of the Native American Business Center, was also on hand Tuesday.

“Tribal nations can increase economic stability faster than private sector and faster than state government,” he said. “It all comes down to capitalistic way of life, which is the bottom line. In my dealings with the Native American community, you can grow our profits and benefit the tribal nation.”

The Chickasaw Nation’s economic development programs have skyrocketed the past decade, and expanded global markets could be a huge boost as the tribe expands during the 21st century.

Chickasaw Gov. Bill Anoatubby was optimistic about his tribe’s future during his recent state-of-the nation address, claiming the tribe’s future “is the strongest it has ever been in modern times.”

Anoatubby said the number of Chickasaws earning college degrees is higher than ever before and that employment opportunities for tribal members have increased in the past year.

Also, Brian Campbell, the tribe’s commerce division administrator, discussed plans to expand the tribe’s WinStar Casino near Thackerville.

And tribal health care system administrator Bill Lance outlined plans for a new hospital facility to be built in Ada. It will be almost three times the size of the tribe’s current Carl Albert Indian Health facility in Ada.

Lance said the new facility will add about 300 jobs.