Plan for new Capitol meets with resistance

ADA, Okla. (AP) -- Some members of the Chickasaw Nation are saying wait a minute to the talk of moving tribal headquarters and establishing a new Capitol. <br><br>Tribal Gov. Bill Anoatubby recently

Friday, March 24th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

ADA, Okla. (AP) -- Some members of the Chickasaw Nation are saying wait a minute to the talk of moving tribal headquarters and establishing a new Capitol.

Tribal Gov. Bill Anoatubby recently announced the Chickasaw Nation's plans to build a Capitol, and welcomed bids from five communities to become his nation's capital town. Ada, Ardmore, Davis, Sulphur and Tishomingo have until April 3 to submit final proposals.

"The Chickasaw people have never been asked if they want this new building," said former tribal Lt. Gov. David Brown said. "Why not put it to a vote? It's ludicrous to think we're going to go out and build a new Capitol when we have so many other needs to address in health and education."

"I have not had a voice," said Robert Cheadle, an attorney who is a Chickasaw tribal member. "I doubt if very many Chickasaw people have had a voice in this matter. I would hope this would be the will of the people."

Chickasaw legislator Mooniene Ogee of Ada said discussions abou ta new Capitol must have been in private.

"Because all I know is all of a sudden one day we're building a new Capitol. Now the people are coming back to us saying, 'If a new Capitol is built, how will our needs be met?"'

Ogee works in a district where five legislators, or council members, represent 6,900 of the 22,000 Chickasaw citizens in Oklahoma. She said it's not uncommon to see Chickasaw elders who can't have their medical prescriptions filled by the nation's clinics.

"If they can't get that medicine from our Indian clinics, they have to buy them on their own or go without," Ogee said. "Usually, they end up sacrificing in other areas -- such as their food."

Anoatubby said the cost of a new Capitol has yet to be determined, a lack of information that has Brown upset. Brown worked under Anoatubby from 1991 to 1999 as lieutenant governo rbefore challenging him for governor in August's election.

Last week, Anoatubby said the tribe is "busting at the seams" at its current headquarters in Ada. A new Capitol would house all executive, legislative and judicial offices. The tribe would continue to use the current headquarters.

Ogee says building a new Capitol shouldn't be an option.

"Anoatubby said they're renting rooms all the time," Ogee said. "Well, with whatever we spend for a new Capitol building, I'm sure we could rent a lot of rooms for a very, very long time."