Phillip Martin
Encyclopedia
Phillip Martin was the democratically elected Tribal Chief of the Mississippi Band
of Choctaw
Indians, a federally recognized American Indian tribe of 8,300 enrolled members living on or near 30,000 acres (120 km²) of reservation land in east central Mississippi
. Martin had a 40 year record of service to the Tribal government, including 32 years as the Tribe's principal elected official. Chief Martin left office in 2007 after the election of Miko Beasley Denson.
. Martin founded the USET organization in 1969. He was the first president of the Board of Regents of Haskell Indian Junior College
, between 1970 and 1976 (now Haskell Indian Nations University).
He was first elected tribal chief in 1979.
In that period, Martin worked with other tribal leaders to acquire and maintain accreditation for Haskell, and to improve campus facilities, including construction of dormitories, a cafeteria, resource center, and field house. In 1992, Martin founded the United South and Eastern Tribes Gaming Association. At the time of his passing the chief presided over that aforementioned organization.
Locally, Chief Martin served the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians on numerous Boards of Directorship. During his tenure as Tribal Chief, Martin has established the following Tribal businesses and service operations on the Choctaw Indian Reservation:
Of his service to his tribe, Martin said, "I felt compelled to recount the major events of my life because I believe I owe it to the Choctaw people, especially the young and those yet to be born."
He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Kate Bell, their two daughters Deborah and Patricia, and five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Before he died, he wrote, Chief: The Autobiography of Phillip Martin.
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is one of three federally recognized tribes of Choctaw Indians. On April 20, 1945, the tribe organized under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. Also in 1945 the Choctaw Indian Reservation was created in Neshoba and surrounding counties...
of Choctaw
Choctaw
The Choctaw are a Native American people originally from the Southeastern United States...
Indians, a federally recognized American Indian tribe of 8,300 enrolled members living on or near 30,000 acres (120 km²) of reservation land in east central Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
. Martin had a 40 year record of service to the Tribal government, including 32 years as the Tribe's principal elected official. Chief Martin left office in 2007 after the election of Miko Beasley Denson.
Career
After serving in the US Air Force for a decade, Martin returned to his home in Mississippi and entered tribal leadership in 1957. Nationally, Martin had served as president of the National Tribal Chairmen's Association, and president of United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. (USET), an association of the 23 federally recognized tribes in the eastern portion of the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Martin founded the USET organization in 1969. He was the first president of the Board of Regents of Haskell Indian Junior College
Haskell Indian Nations University
Haskell Indian Nations University is a tribal university located in Lawrence, Kansas, for members of federally recognized Native American tribes in the United States...
, between 1970 and 1976 (now Haskell Indian Nations University).
He was first elected tribal chief in 1979.
In that period, Martin worked with other tribal leaders to acquire and maintain accreditation for Haskell, and to improve campus facilities, including construction of dormitories, a cafeteria, resource center, and field house. In 1992, Martin founded the United South and Eastern Tribes Gaming Association. At the time of his passing the chief presided over that aforementioned organization.
Locally, Chief Martin served the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians on numerous Boards of Directorship. During his tenure as Tribal Chief, Martin has established the following Tribal businesses and service operations on the Choctaw Indian Reservation:
- Pearl River ResortPearl River ResortPearl River Resort is a Native American-run resort located in Choctaw, Neshoba County, Mississippi. It is owned and operated by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians....
(est. 2000) - Choctaw Resort Development Enterprise (est. 1999)
- Choctaw Housing Development Enterprise (est. 1995)
- Choctaw Golf Enterprise (est. 1995)
- Silver Star Resort and Casino (est. 1994)
- First American Plastic Molding Enterprise (est. 1993)
- Choctaw Construction Enterprise (est. 1993)
- First American Printing and Direct Mail Enterprise (est. 1990)
- Choctaw Shopping Center (est. 1988)
- Choctaw Residential Center (est. 1987)
- Choctaw Manufacturing Enterprise (est. 1986)
- Chata Enterprise (est. 1979)
- Choctaw Development Enterprise (est. 1969)
Of his service to his tribe, Martin said, "I felt compelled to recount the major events of my life because I believe I owe it to the Choctaw people, especially the young and those yet to be born."
Death and legacy
Martin died on February 4, 2010 in a Jackson, Mississippi hospital after suffering a stroke days earlier.He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Kate Bell, their two daughters Deborah and Patricia, and five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Before he died, he wrote, Chief: The Autobiography of Phillip Martin.
See also
- ApuckshunubbeeApuckshunubbeeApuckshunubbee was one of three principal chiefs of the Choctaw Native American tribe in the early nineteenth century, from before 1800. He led the western or Okla Falaya District in present-day Mississippi...
- PushmatahaPushmatahaPushmataha , the "Indian General", was one of the three regional chiefs of the major divisions of the Choctaw in the nineteenth century. Many historians considered him the "greatest of all Choctaw chiefs"...
- MosholatubbeeMosholatubbeeMushulatubbee was the chief of the Choctaw Okla Tannap , one of the three major Choctaw divisions during the early 19th century...
- Greenwood LeFloreGreenwood LeFloreGreenwood LeFlore or Greenwood Le Fleur was elected Principal Chief of the Choctaw in 1830 before removal. Before that, the nation was governed by three district chiefs and a council of chiefs...
- Peter PitchlynnPeter PitchlynnPeter Perkins Pitchlynn , or Hat-choo-tuck-nee , was a Choctaw chief of Choctaw and Anglo-American ancestry...
- List of Choctaw Treaties