Youth Advisory Board Conference a success

Choctaw Nation

CALERA – The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma’s (CNO) Youth Advisory Board (YAB) held its 2nd Quarterly Conference Saturday, April 23 at the Choctaw Cultural Center in Calera. By all accounts the day-long event was a success.

Organizers were pleased with the turnout, noting that all 24 chapters of YAB from across 12 counties in southeast Oklahoma were represented with 125 students and 10 adult leaders in attendance. Buses provided free transportation. For some it was more than a two-hour ride to the event that started at 9 a.m.

CNO Executive Director of Education Amanda Johnson was one of the speakers. Topics of the day ranged from setting goals and leadership traits to career options and preservation of Choctaw culture.

A presentation on CNO aviation technology was provided and students were allowed to take turns flying a drone up to 300 feet in the air.

A tour of the center provided a greater understanding of Choctaw heritage. For many of the students this was their first opportunity to visit the center.

Elections were held naming a slate of officers for the YAB organization, and new officers for each of the chapters were sworn in during a student-led business meeting.

YAB is open to all 8th through 12th graders, regardless of race or tribal affiliation, residing in the Choctaw Reservation. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/CNYAB or phone (580) 740-1204.