Tribal Government
Executive Branch
The Executive Branch is headed up by the Tribal Chief, whose primary role is chief executive of the Tribe, and includes the business of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Tribal Government. The Tribal Government consists of four divisions: Government Services, Tribal Member Services, Development and Education.
- The Government Services Division oversees the government offices of the Tribal administration.
- The Tribal Member Services Division oversees the departments and programs that provide essential services to Tribal members such as Recreation, Transit, Facilities, Department of Public Safety, Department of Family and Community Services, and the Choctaw Fire Department.
- The Development Division oversees departments and programs that provide planning, construction and building for current and future projects on the Reservation. These departments include Choctaw Loan Program, Economic Development, Natural Resources, Public Works, and Tribal Archaeologist.
- The Education Division oversees all departments and programs that educate, train or motivate our Tribal members to further their education or skills. Departments include Early Childhood Education, Choctaw Tribal Schools, Boys and Girls Club, Youth Opportunity Program and Workforce Development.
Tribal Chairmen and Chiefs
From 1945 to 1975 a Tribal Chairman, elected by the Tribal Council – led the Tribe. The constitutional revision of 1975 authorized the election of a democratically elected Tribal Chief every four years with no term limits.
1945 - 1949
Joe Chitto
1949 - 1953
Emmett York
1953 - 1955
Joe Chitto
1955 - 1959
Emmett York
1959 - 1965
Phillip Martin
1966*
Left his position to work at the BIA Choctaw Agency
Robert Benn
1966 - 1967
Clay Gibson
1967 - 1971
Emmett York
1971 - 1975
Phillip Martin
List of Tribal Chiefs
1975 – 1979
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Chief Calvin J. Isaac
Calvin J. Isaac was elected as the Tribe’s first democratically elected Tribal Chief in June 1975 and served one term. Prior to being elected Tribal Chief, Isaac served on the Tribal Council representing the Pearl River Community. Chief Isaac was an educator and worked in Tribal education for over 15 years as a teacher and principal. Chief Isaac retired in 2000, he continued to live in the Pearl River community and was a pianist and song leader at various churches. Chief Isaac passed away in 2018 at the age of 86.
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1979 – 2007
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Chief Phillip Martin
Phillip Martin served seven terms as Tribal Chief under which the doctrine of Choctaw Self-Determination was coined and has served as the Tribe’s guiding principle for over 40 years. Chief Martin had a 49-year record of active service in the Tribal government, including his service as Tribal Chief, beginning in 1979, and continuing uninterrupted until 2007. Phillip Martin first joined the Tribal Council in 1957, having returned home in 1955 from ten years’ active duty with the United States Air Force. Then, elected as Tribal Chairman in 1959, he worked in that capacity until 1966. Chief Martin served as Chairman of the National Tribal Chairmen’s Association. He was one of the founders of the United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. (USET). Under his leadership, Chief Martin has established 23 Tribally owned and operated business enterprises and service operations; most were located on the Choctaw Indian Reservation. With the Tribal Council, Chief Martin also established the Choctaw Tribal Scholarships Program to ensure that all Mississippi Choctaw students can attend the colleges and universities of their choice to prepare for the world of work. Chief Martin’s contributions were nationally recognized, and he received many awards. Chief Martin passed away in 2010 at the age of 83.
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2007 - 2011
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Chief Beasley Denson
A one-time Tribal Councilman for the Standing Pine Community, Beasley Denson served as Miko of the Tribe for one term. While a Council member, he served in the capacities of both Secretary/Treasurer and Vice-Chief. Prior to his time as a Tribal Council member, Miko Denson worked for the Tribal Government for many years. His participation within the Tribal Government is extensive. He served on numerous boards, including the Choctaw Housing Authority Board, Tribal School Board, Choctaw Gaming Commission Board, the Choctaw Development Enterprise Board, and the Choctaw Utility Commission. He also held positions on the National Indian Education Board and the Board of Directors for the United South and Eastern Tribes. Miko Denson graduated from Choctaw Central High School and completed his postsecondary education at Hinds Community College and Mississippi State University. A fluent Choctaw speaker, Miko Denson was born in the Conehatta Community and was raised in the Standing Pine Community, where he still resides near his children and grandchildren.
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2011 – 2019
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Chief Phyliss J. Anderson
After serving on the Tribal Council, Phyliss J. Anderson was elected as the first female Chief and sworn in on October 4, 2011. She served two terms as Tribal Chief. Anderson has more than 30 years of experience with Tribal Government management. In 2003, she was elected to serve as a Tribal Council Representative for her home community of Red Water. As a Tribal Council member, she held the position of Secretary-Treasurer for the Tribe. Anderson continues to live in the Red Water community with her husband. They are parents and grandparents to a growing family.
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2019 – Present
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Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben
Cyrus Ben is the fifth democratically elected Tribal Chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and the youngest to be elected to the position. He is currently serving in his second term has Tribal Chief, having been re-elected in June 2023. Chief Ben has a 14-year record of public service to the Choctaw Tribal government and Tribal business leadership, including 8 years as Pearl River community’s representative on the Tribal Council prior to being elected as Tribal Chief in July 2019. He served four years as the Tribe’s Secretary-Treasurer and three years as the President of Ikhana, a Tribally chartered corporation. With a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Mississippi College, Chief Ben manages a Tribal Government and Entities comprised of a workforce of over 7,000 and an annual Tribal Government budget in excess of $250 million.
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Legislative Branch
The legislative branch is made up of a 17-member Choctaw Tribal Council. The number of Council members each community has is based on the population of the community. The Choctaw Tribal Council is responsible for passing all the laws and regulations on the Reservation. Council members are elected on staggered four-year terms from the eight Choctaw communities.
The Council elects a Vice-Chief, Secretary/Treasurer and Committee Systems Chair that serve two-year terms.
The Tribal Council has 15 committees that focus on specific areas of the Tribal government. Each is chaired by a Council member. Each member may only chair only one committee at a time, and the Vice Chief sits on every committee:
- Budget & Finance
- Children & Youth
- Education
- Culture
- Economic Development
- Health
- Congressional & Government Affairs
- Judicial Affairs and Law & Order
- Public Works, Fire & Construction
- Natural Resources
- Community and Family Services &
- Veteran Affairs
- Lobbyist, Public Relations & Politics
- Human Resources
- Housing
- Recreation
Ronnie Henry, Sr.
Tribal Vice-Chief and Bogue Chitto Councilman
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Ronnie Dewayne Henry, Sr. is a Tribal Council representative for the Bogue Chitto community and serves as the Tribal Vice-Chief, a role he has held multiple times. First elected in 2001, he is currently serving his sixth term (terms are 2001-2017 and 2019-current). Over Councilman Henry’s 22 years of public service, he has served as chair of the Recreation; Public Works, Fire & Construction; Housing; Education, and Economic Development committees. He has also previously served as Committee System Coordinator.
Henry is the son of the late Norman Henry and the late Winne Sue Willis. Married to Diana K. Henry, they share six children (Josh, Bobby, Ronnie Jr., Anne Ashley, Miyah and Ryan) and have nine grandchildren (Xander, Kaeleigh, Lanayah, Aliyah, Eli, Omri, Lexi, Maris and Christopher). His hobbies include traveling, watching sporting events, especially stickball, and grilling while spending time with friends and family. The motto Councilman Henry has lived by is “Find your purpose and go after it!”
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Chris Eaves
Secretary/Treasurer and Crystal Ridge Councilman
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Christopher Eaves is the Tribal Council representative for the Crystal Ridge community and serves as the Tribe’s Secretary/Treasurer. First elected in 2017, he is currently serving his second term. In 2019 he was elected Secretary/Treasurer, in this position Councilman Eaves serves as the chair of the Budget & Finance committee and is a member of the Children & Youth; Community and Family Services & Veterans Affairs; Education; Health; Housing; and Lobbyist, Public Relations & Politics.
Councilman Eaves is the son of the late Prentiss and Rose Eaves and is a lifelong resident of the Crystal Ridge community. Councilman Eaves has eight children: Allie, Kris, Prentiss, Natalee, Gillian, Emily, Laura, and William (deceased). Eaves is an outdoorsman and enjoys hunting and fishing. Councilman Eaves takes great pride in following his children in the sport they love to play
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Angela Hundley
Committee Systems Chair and Bogue Chitto Councilwoman
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Angela Hundley is a Tribal Council representative for the Bogue Chitto community. First elected in 2021, she is currently serving her first term. Councilwoman Hundley also serves as the Tribal Council Committee Systems Coordinator. As Committee Systems Coordinator Hundley provides oversight over all committees and can step in as acting Chair of a committee as needed. The Committee Systems Coordinator also conducts the pre-council meeting for every special and regular call meeting.
Hundley is the daughter of the late Finus & Susie Hundley. She was raised in both the Henning, TN and Bogue Chitto communities. She resides in the Bogue Chitto community with her husband, Sammie, is the mother of four children (Justin, Trent, Sunshine and Angel) and grandmother to one (Jariah). Councilwoman Hundley enjoys watching and playing sports, visiting, and spending time with family and friends.
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Kendall Wallace
Bogue Chitto Councilman
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Kendall Wallace is a Tribal Council representative for the Bogue Chitto community. First elected in 2017, he is currently serving his second term. Councilman Wallace serves as the chair for the Economic Development committee and is a member of the Budget & Finance; Education; Health; Housing; Lobbyist, Public Relations & Politics; and Recreation committees.
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Berdie Steve
Bogue Homa Councilman
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Berdie Steve is the Tribal Council Representative for the Bogue Homa community. First elected in 1999, she was recently reelected to the position and is now serving her fourth term. In 2017, Berdie served as the Tribal Council Committee System Coordinator for one term. Berdie has also served on various boards, including the Choctaw Housing Authority Board and Chahta Enterprise Board. As a Tribal Council Representative, she currently serves as chair of the Culture committee and is a member of the Budget & Finance, Economic Development, Education, Health, Housing, and Judicial Affairs and Law & Order committees.
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Hilda Nickey
Conehatta Councilwoman
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Hilda Faye Nickey is a Tribal Council representative for the Conehatta community. Elected in 2013, she is currently serving her third term. As a Tribal Council Representative, she serves as chair of the Congressional and Governmental Affairs committee and is a member of the Budget & Finance; Children & Youth; Culture; Economic Development; Education; Housing; Judicial Affairs and Law & Order; Lobbyist, Public Relations & Politics; Natural Resources; and Public Works, Fire & Construction committees. She also served as Vice Chief from 2017-2019 and is currently serving on the Housing Authority Board of Directors.
Nickey takes great pride in her Chahta culture and is a fluent speaker of the Chahta language and makes baskets and beadwork.
Nickey is the daughter of Edward Stephens and Dorothy Denson Chapman. She was raised and is a lifelong resident of the Conehatta community in Newton County. She is married to Charlie Hayes Nickey and is the mother of three (Rebecca, Roddy and Cassidy) and a grandmother to 10 (Haley, Caylin, Hayden, Ashlyn, Remini, Taylin, Chamaley, Kyzler, Timonty Jr., and Kenyon). Her hobbies include singing Choctaw hymns, traveling, being with her grandchildren and attending sports activities.
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Gregory Shoemake
Conehatta Councilman
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Gregory Shoemake is a Tribal Council representative for the Conehatta community. Elected in 2021, he is currently serving his first term. As a Tribal Council Representative, he serves as the chair of the Natural Resources committee and is a member of the Budget & Finance; Community and Family Services & Veterans Affairs; Congressional and Governmental Affairs; Economic Development; Human Resources, Training & Development; Lobbyist, Public Relations & Politics; Public Works, Fire & Construction, and Recreation.
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Timothy Thomas, Sr.
Conehatta Councilman
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Timothy Thomas, Sr. is a Tribal Council representative for the Conehatta community. Elected in 2019, he was recently reelected to a second term. As a Tribal Council Representative, he serves as the chair of the Recreation committee and is a member of the Budget & Finance; Culture; Economic Development; Health; Natural Resources; and Public Works, Fire & Construction committees.
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Nigel Gibson
Pearl River Councilman
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Nigel Gibson is a Tribal Council representative for the Pearl River community. Elected in 2019, he was recently reelected to a second term. As a Tribal Council Representative, he serves as the chair of the Lobbyist, Public Relations & Politics committee and is a member of the Budget & Finance; Congressional and Governmental Affairs; Human Resources, Training & Development; Judicial Affairs and Law & Order; and Recreation committees.
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Deborah Martin
Pearl River Councilwoman
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Deborah Martin is a Tribal Council representative for the Pearl River community. Elected in 2017, she is currently serving her second term. As a Tribal Council Representative, she serves as the chair of the Children & Youth committee and is a member of the Budget & Finance; Community and Family Services & Veterans Affairs; Congressional and Governmental Affairs; Culture; Education; Housing; Human Resources, Training & Development; Lobbyist, Public Relations & Politics; and Recreation committees.
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Kent Wesley
Pearl River Councilman
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Kent Wesley is a Tribal Council representative for the Pearl River community. Elected in 2021, he is currently serving his first term. As a Tribal Council Representative, he serves as the chair of the Public Works, Fire & Construction committee and is a member of the Budget & Finance; Community and Family Services & Veterans Affairs; Economic Development; Health; Judicial Affairs and Law & Order; and Natural Resources committees.
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Ricky Anderson, Sr.
Red Water Councilman
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Ricky Anderson, Sr. is a Tribal Council representative for the Red Water community. Elected in 2023, he is currently serving his first term. As a Tribal Council Representative, he serves as the chair of the Community and Family Services & Veterans Affairs committee and is a member of the Budget & Finance; Children & Youth; Congressional and Governmental Affairs; Economic Development; Education; Human Resources, Training & Development; Judicial Affairs and Law & Order; Lobbyist, Public Relations & Politics; and Natural Resources committees.
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Samuel John
Red Water Councilman
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Samuel John is a Tribal Council representative for the Red Water community. Elected in 2023, he is currently serving his first term. As a Tribal Council Representative, he serves as the chair of the Human Resources, Training & Development committee and is a member of the Budget & Finance; Health; Housing; Judicial Affairs and Law & Order; Public Works, Fire & Construction; and Recreation committees.
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Loriann Ahshapanek
Standing Pine Councilwoman
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Loriann Denson Ahshapanek is a Tribal Council representative for the Standing Pine community. Elected in 2017, she is currently serving her second term. As a Tribal Council Representative, she is currently serving as chair of the Housing committee and is a member of the Budget & Finance; Children & Youth; Community and Family Services & Veteran Affairs; Congressional and Governmental Affairs; Culture; Education; Natural Resources; Public Works, Fire & Construction and Recreation committees. Councilwoman Ahshapanek also serves on the Health Governing Board, is a CRDE Board member and represents the Standing Pine community on the Choctaw Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners.
Ahshapanek views the preservation of our Choctaw Culture as extremely important. She believes the traditions we have today were left by our ancestors and thus we all should take great pride in our rich and colorful heritage and tradition. Preservations of our culture, history, and language for our younger generation allows them to carry it on for many years to come.
Councilwoman Ahshapanek is the daughter of the late Easlin Denson and Lucille Lewis Chickaway. She lives in the Standing Pine community with her husband Don. They have two grown sons, Sean (Barbara) and Don, III (Traci) and are the grandparents of seven (Jocelyn, Michelle, Jaci, Daezia, Shaunde, Daez and Houston). During her spare time, she enjoys making Choctaw dresses and beadwork for 18” Choctaw dolls. She also enjoys spending quality time with her children, grandchildren, and family. Councilwoman Ahshapanek still enjoys playing the game of basketball when she gets the chance. She believes one should always give your best in everything you do. “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” Colossians 3:23 (KJV).
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Richard Sockey
Standing Pine Councilman
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Richard “Rocky” Sockey is the Tribal Council representative for the Standing Pine community. First elected in 2016, he is currently serving his third term. As a Tribal Council Representative, he serves as the chair of the Judicial Affairs and Law & Order committee and is a member of the Budget & Finance; Congressional and Governmental Affairs; Economic Development; Health; Humn Resources, Training & Development; Lobbyist, Public Relations & Politics; Natural Resources; and Public Works, Fire & Construction committees.
Public service is in Councilman Sockey’s blood. Prior to being elected as councilman for the Standing Pine community, Sockey served in the United States Navy for 10 years and then served 19 years in the Choctaw Police Department.
Councilman Sockey is the son of the late Edmund & Evelyn Martin. Married to Marion (Ben) Sockey, they share three children (Kelley, Katie and Joey). Hobbies includes spending time with his family, enjoys serving his community, and exercising. Sockey firmly believes “It’s never too late, never stop trying!”
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Demando Mingo
Tucker Councilman
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Demando Mingo is a Tribal Council representative for the Tucker community. First elected in 2021, he is currently serving his first term. As a Tribal Council Representative, he serves as the chair of the Education committee and is a member of the Budget & Finance; Children & Youth; Culture; Natural Resources; Public Works, Fire & Construction; and Recreation committees.
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Dorothy Wilson
Tucker Councilwoman
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Dorothy Bell Wilson is a Tribal Council representative for the Tucker community. First elected in 1999, she was recently reelected into the position and is now serving her sixth term (1999-2003, 2003-2007, 2007-2011, 2013-2021, and 2023-current). As a Tribal Council Representative, she has served as Vice-Chief and chair of many committees. She currently serves as chair of the Health committee and is a member of the Budget & Finance; Community and Family Services & Veterans Affairs; Congressional and Governmental Affairs; Culture; Economic Development; Housing; Human Resources, Training & Development; Judicial Affairs and Law & Order; and Lobbyist, Public Relations & Politics.
Wilson is an avid supporter of Choctaw culture and assists in the preservation process. She formed the dance group, Chahta Hilha Social Dancers, in 1995 to perform at the Choctaw Indian Fair. Keeping tradition alive, she passed down the coordination of the dance group, now called John Levi Family Tradition, to her niece, Trina Jim. Along with her dance group, Wilson is a well-known Choctaw chanter.
Wilson is the daughter of the late John Levi Bell, Sr. and the late Maggie Wallace Bell. She was raised in the Bogue Chitto community, then moved and lived in the Pearl River community. She moved to Tucker in 1986, where she made her home. She has two children, seven grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. Her hobbies include fishing, gardening, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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2024 Tribal Council Committee Chairperson and Committee Members
Ronnie Henry, Sr., Vice Chief
Christopher Eaves, Secretary-Treasurer
*Angela Hundley, Committee Systems Coordinator
*Serves as Ex-Officio for all Committees*
Budget & Finance Economic Development
Christopher Eaves, Chairman
(All 17 Tribal Council members)
Children & Youth Committee
Deborah Martin, Chairman
Loriann Ahshapanek
Ricky Anderson , Sr.
Christopher Eaves
Demando Mingo
Hilda Nickey
Community and Family Services & Veterans Affairs
Ricky Anderson , Sr., Chair
Loriann Ahshapanek
Christopher Eaves
Deborah Martin
Gregory Shoemake
Kent Wesley
Dorothy Wilson
Congressional and Governmental Affairs
Hilda Nickey, Chairman
Loriann Ahshapanek
Ricky Anderson, Sr.
Nigel Gibson
Deborah Martin
Gregory Shoemake
Richard Sockey
Dorothy Wilson
Culture
Berdie Steve, Chairman
Loriann Ahshapanek
Deborah Martin
Demando Mingo
Hilda Nickey
Timothy Thomas, Sr.
Dorothy Wilson
Economic Development
Kendall Wallace, Chair
Ricky Anderson, Sr.
Samuel John
Hilda Nickey
Gregory Shoemake
Berdie Steve
Richard Sockey
Timothy Thomas Sr.
Kent Wesley
Dorothy Wilson
Education
Demando Mingo, Chairman
Loriann Ahshapanek
Ricky Anderson, Sr.
Christopher Eaves
Deborah Martin
Hilda Nickey
Berdie Steve
Kendall Wallace
Health
Dorothy Wilson, Chairman
Christopher Eaves
Samuel John
Berdie Steve
Richard Sockey
Timothy Thomas, Sr.
Kendall Wallace
Kent Wesley
Housing
Loriann Ahshapanek, Chair
Christopher Eaves
Samuel John
Deborah Martin
Hilda Nickey
Berdie Steve
Kendall Wallace
Dorothy Wilson
Human Resources, Training & Development
Samuel John, Chairman
Ricky Anderson , Sr.
Nigel Gibson
Deborah Martin
Gregory Shoemake
Richard Sockey
Dorothy Wilson
Judicial Affairs and Law & Order
Richard Sockey, Chair
Ricky Anderson , Sr.
Nigel Gibson
Samuel John
Hilda Nickey
Berdie Steve
Kent Wesley
Dorothy Wilson
Lobbyist, Public Relations & Politics
Nigel Gibson, Chairman
Ricky Anderson, Sr.
Christopher Eaves
Deborah Martin
Gregory Shoemake
Richard Sockey
Kendall Wallace
Dorothy Wilson
Natural Resources
Gregory Shoemake, Chair
Loriann Ahshapanek
Ricky Anderson, Sr.
Demando Mingo
Hilda Nickey
Timothy Thomas, Sr.
Kent Wesley
Public Works, Fire & Construction
Kent Wesley, Chairman
Loriann Ahshapanek
Samuel John
Demando Mingo
Hilda Nickey
Timothy Thomas, Sr.
Gregory Shoemake
Richard Sockey
Recreation
Timothy Thomas, Sr., Chair
Loriann Ahshapanek
Nigel Gibson
Samuel John
Deborah Martin
Demando Mingo
Gregory Shoemake
Kendall Wallace
Committee chairs and members were approved by Resolution CHO 23-103 on July 18, 2023
Judicial System
The judicial system includes the Choctaw Tribal Courts and the Choctaw Supreme Court. In 1981, the Tribal Council established the Tribal Court system, which consisted of four lower courts and the Supreme Court. Now, there are five courts: Criminal, Civil, Domestic Violence, Youth and Itti-kana-ikbi (Peacemaker).
The Peacemaker Court addresses limited matters in a traditional and holistic manner. The Supreme Court provides a forum for parties to pursue their right to appeal an adverse judgment by a lower court.
Attorney General
The Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation for the government of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, including its departments, programs, and enterprises, with the exception of the Choctaw Resort Development Enterprise. Additionally, the office prosecutes all criminal cases on the Reservation; is the primary liaison between the Tribe, and local, state and federal agencies; drafts proposed legislation; negotiates and advises the Tribe in contractual matters; provides written opinions on matters of Tribal law; provides in-service legal training to employees; represents the Tribe in Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) cases; and represents the Tribe and its entities in litigation, among many other functions. The criminal division is housed in the Smith John Justice Complex and the civil division is housed at 354 Industrial Road, Choctaw, MS. The office may be reached at 601.656.4507.
©2024 Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians