Judy Goforth Parker, PhD, RN

Chukma. (pronounced Chook-mah)

Here at last is the promised slide show of the ofi tohbi (white dog) as talked about in Chickasaw legends. White is tohbi and ofi is translated as dog. I acutally consulted with Monette Richardson and her daugher Rachel for help with my Chickasaw. Rachel kindly referred me to a web site on Chickasaw.net that has a book that is made for our headstart children (http://www.chickasaw.net/site06/docs/language_workbook_for_headstart.pdf). We currently have a wonderful emersion program being developed that will help us in preserving our beautiful language.

A Chickasaw gentleman from Duncan Oklahoma sent me these pictures of his beautiful white dogs (ofi tohbi). I am hoping that you will enjoy the slide show that I have put together. If you would like for your dogs to be a part of this show, please send me the pictures electronically and I will add them to the link. My own Noel will be included in the bunch. If you can help me to figure out how to cure her fears of thunder, I would welcome the input. She continues to eat the side of the house when there is thunder and lightening. Hunting season is another bad time for her. 

As always, I do look forward to hearing from you. I am hoping to see some of you next week at the listening conference. I will have pictures of the conference right here on my blog soon.

Chi pisa la cho (pronounced Chu Pee-suh Luh Choh) or I will see you.

I am excited about the new hospital that the Chickasaw Nation is building. As you may know, this is one of the newest projects going, and I live near enough that I plan to take pictures of it so that you too can watch it as I drive home. Geographically, the hospital site is located on the south side of Ada. I a bit directionally challenged, but I think that it is right.

 As fate would have it, the new East Central Oklahoma Blood Institute is located right across the street from our new facility. The reason that is so important to me is that OBI provides the safest blood that you can find anywhere, and I know, medical people say the weirdest things. However, if you are a family member are needing blood, you do not want to worry about the safety of that blood. I have included a picture of ECOBI from an ariel view. I am so excited about the location near ECOBI because I am on the board, and we are going to be really great neighbors. As the ECOBI board was working on the plans for our new building, we would meet with Chickasaw Nation officials to help in working out some of issues that both institutions will face. I can tell you, that was a fun process.

 Bill Brooks, pictured in the slide show, is the project manager and has assured me that I can come out for pictures as often as I want to and if I will let him know when I am coming, and if I will always wear the OSHA required hard hat. I have agreed. Hope you like the show. I look forward to frequent updates and welcome your comments and questions.