By 1670, the Chickasaws had established a trustworthy business and trading relationship with their English neighbors in South Carolina, to the point that when conflict arose, they willingly aided in the effort to expel French combatants and their Choctaw assistants from South Carolina. Life returned to normal for these “unconquered and unconquerable” people until 1776.

After the American War for Independence, George Washington decided to allocate each Indian man a parcel of land and teach them to farm in the name of self-sustainability. For the Chickasaws, seeing the next generation becoming more educated and being allowed to continue to embrace the spiritual world and the Creator gave their souls a reason to look upward, to be hopeful for their future.

Twenty years later, however, the Chickasaws held back their tears as the 1786 Treaty of Hopewell forced them to bury the hatchet, to acknowledge that they owed their present existence and peaceful lifestyle to the American efforts on their behalf and to endeavor to maintain a peaceful relationship.

The Treaty of 1818 forced the Chickasaws to resist the temptation to “…scorn the hand that did me wrong” or to question why “by chains confined I lie” as they surrendered claim to land north of Tennessee’s southern border in exchange for a 4-square-mile of land, a portion of which must be leased to immigrants from Europe.

In retrospect, perhaps the Chickasaws failed to realize how the conscious or unconscious attempt to transform them into white men would pay off when a Chickasaw maiden became a white Scotsman’s squaw. To the union of James Colbert and the unnamed Chickasaw woman were born two sons, who played a large part in the 1832 Great Removal.

Growing up in a bilingual family enabled Levi and George Colbert to function as negotiators and interpreters between various tribal chiefs and the U.S., government during the removal era. For the Chickasaws, being forced to sell their land back to the country and to relocate to Oklahoma equated to each Chickasaw seeing “my bed of thorns be made” and “my onward cruise…stayed.” Undauntedly, these brave people shrouded themselves with their “unconquered and unconquerable” attitude as they followed the Trail of Tears blazed by Choctaw and Creek tribes across the Mississippi River to their new home in Oklahoma.

The dawn of a new era has arrived since the Chickasaws have been deemed a recognized tribe in South Carolina. Headquartered in Hemingway, South Carolina, the Chickasaw soul “still charts that deathless song unconquered and unconquerable.” A visit to the official Chickasaw website shows how stories handed down by word of mouth across the generations and now written down for all to read can reach more, teach more and inspire more souls to soar “upward undismayed” and to “upward ever fly.”

As a result of the history, influence and beauty of their unique culture, the Chickasaws were chosen to represent the Sooner State on the state quarter in 2011, with the image taken from the Chickasaw National Recreation Center. Though there are many important tribes thriving in the Oklahoma region, here are some of the many reasons the Chickasaws received this prominent honor.

A Rich and Colorful History

Though strong and proud, many native peoples have a tragic and heartbreaking history with regards to their treatment by English settlers and the early government of the United States. This is also true of the Chickasaw tribe, who experienced tremendous suffering and loss along the “Trail of Tears” in their forced migration from Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama and Tennessee into Oklahoma, known as the “Great Removal,” in 1837. The “Unconquered and Unconquerable” civilization never toppled, however, and the mighty nation ultimately enjoyed an incredible rebirth in their new home.

Dismal as the initial beginnings were, the irrepressible Chickasaws quickly built a thriving civilization, including businesses, schools and banks, the first in the territory. Apt farmers, cattlemen and horse breeders, the clever and industrious individuals rekindled their cultural roots in the new location, where it remains today, a stunning and living example of fortitude and rich culture.

The Chickasaw National Recreation Area

The best experiential example of this vibrant heritage is the impressive and expansive Chickasaw National Recreation Area, or Chickasaw Cultural Center, which houses a glut of traditional crafts, artifacts, dances and exhibits on its almost 10,000 acres of land. The main center, known as The Campus, includes a traditional village, theater, café, gardens and exhibit center. Visitors immerse themselves in the lifestyle of the Chickasaw by sampling grape dumplings and fry bread, interacting with the Spirit Forest and practicing a traditional stomp dance around a fire. It’s this detailed commitment to the preservation of their history that led to the Chickasaw Nation receiving the coveted place on the state quarter.

The Lincoln Bridge and the Chickasaw Quarter

The people that make up the Chickasaw Nation and the glorious cultural treat that is the Recreation Center aren’t the only reasons the U.S. Mint chose this majestic location as the site for the Oklahoma state quarter. The Lincoln Bridge, found inside Flower Park, is a commemorative bridge built to honor the late President Lincoln’s 100^th anniversary, and its image on the coin represents the entire nation’s progress towards respecting and supporting people of all colors, faiths, backgrounds and traditions.

Despite adversity and loss, the Chickasaw people continue to celebrate their traditions, heritage and history and educate visitors at the enriching Chickasaw Cultural Center. The United States and Oklahoma recognize this unique commitment by a beautiful and resilient tribe of people and chose to place them forever on the commemorative state coin, where they will always survive, unconquered and unconquerable.

1. Fundraisers and Food Drives

One of the most direct ways an organization or small business can contribute to its community is by hosting a fundraiser or food drive for a specific disadvantaged group. Whether it’s raising money for a cause or gathering food for families in need, these efforts can make a big difference in the lives of disadvantaged families. The Chickasaw Council of Boy Scouts in Mississippi recently helped the Mid-South Food Bank to raise food and awareness, improving the lives of many in the 2012 holiday season.

2. Make Service a Priority

Another way a small business can contribute is by making customer service a priority. Emphasizing quality customer service creates a caring vibe in a community, no matter what product or service is being offered. When a business asks themselves, “How can I serve?” or “How can this business make a difference in the lives of the customers?” they’re on the right track to running a business that can truly make a difference through what it does.

3. Raise Awareness

If there’s an issue or current event that would benefit from public awareness, a small business can help. Incorporating information into its advertising and/or product packaging is just one example of how a small business can raise awareness in a community. From public health issues to crisis victims who need assistance to animal shelters in need of volunteers, there is no shortage of causes a small business can help.

4. Be as “Green” as Possible

These days, reducing one’s carbon footprint is necessary to help preserve our planet, and this goes for businesses as well as individuals and families. Choosing to use eco-friendly materials in all phases of a business and utilizing the most environmentally friendly manufacturing processes possible can all make a difference. It sets a good example in a community and will help preserve the planet for future generations.

5. Charity Work 

Putting an emphasis on charity work as part of a business ethos paves the way for employees and other businesses to be inspired to take action. Raising awareness about groups in need of volunteers is one way to go about this. Businesses can encourage employees and other members of the community to donate their time to worthy causes. Providing all of the information needed about charities in the area allows people to find it easy to sign on and do their part.

From running a business in a service-minded, customer-centric way to physically contributing money or volunteer services to charities in the area, there is a multitude of ways small businesses can make a difference in their communities. Just like the Chickasaw Council of Mississippi, all it takes is a spirit of giving and a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of others.

The Tainos were the first tribe of Native Americans encountered by Columbus.

The Samoset were the first tribe of Native Americans encountered by the Mayflower group of Pilgrims who settled in Plymouth.

Native Americans have been major players in the history of the United States since before the United States was even a country. In fact, without the insight and assistance of Native Americans, early settlers may not have survived in North America. Buy beyond that essential guidance, native people have contributed to how we live our lives today.

Following are some of the ways in which Native Americans have influenced modern society.

Agriculture

Native Americans encountered by early settlers had a far superior system of agriculture to the pilgrims & early settlers who would not have survived without them.

It was in the early days of European immigration that Native Americans introduced settlers to maize, or corn. Learning how to grow and tend to this staple crop was a major factor in the survival of these first settlers and has supported the needs of a growing population ever since.

Today, corn is not part of our nightly meal. It is used in the food supply as oils and thickeners, and also has multiple industrial applications from use in soaps and disinfectants to ethanol and tires. It is also the U.S.’s biggest cash crop, bringing in upwards of $15 billion in revenue every year.

Language

We may largely still speak English as a nation, but Native Americans have offered two major contributions to the American language. The first is the contribution of words to American English. Words that Native Americans added to our modern language include bayou, persimmon, succotash, jerky and caucus, while many city and state names –such as Seattle, Ohio and Nebraska – also have Native American origins.

Perhaps the more profound influence Native Americans had on American English, though, is found in American Sign Language. Before ASL was a fully-developed language, deaf individuals used signs to communicate, but so did Native Americans, who spoke multiple languages and used signs to communicate between tribes.

Government

The U.S. takes great pride in its democracy. And while it draws on governmental models established in ancient Greece, it more closely resembles systems of government settlers encountered in American Indian tribes.

Colonists modeled their democracy off the Iroquois League of Nations. Much like modern-day senators and representatives in Washington, D.C., the Iroquois engaged in debates on the League of Nations floor. They had a written constitution and different tribes formed the league, in much the same way as our current country is comprised of individual states.

Though historical accounts often focus on the conflicts between settlers and Native Americans, much progress in society occurred as a result of partnerships between European immigrants and American Indians. Natives and new residents of North America shared several aspects of their culture, each adopting different ideas.

Despite the pervasive influence of U.S. culture on the world, Native American culture has not been overwritten. The heritage of the Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Hopi and other native tribes has survived the changing landscape of the country around them. With all that Native Americans have contributed, that unbreakable spirit may be their most lasting legacy.

(Photo credit: Vanessa (EY))

Many people think that being able to take business trips is a fun perk of the job. “Wow, you get to see the world–on company time and money!” But the reality is that business travel is nothing like a vacation. The itineraries are grueling, and the travel allowances are usually quite tight. That’s why it’s so important for business travelers to be aware of the hidden travel costs that they can encounter in a trip.

The first danger is hidden hotel charges, many of which are added on in the final bill. The problem with this situation is that you can go your merry way, thinking you are staying within your per diem, and then you get the shock of your life when you check out of the hotel. So don’t automatically sign when you see the bill–look for any items or services that you did not specifically ask for. Speak up and contest if you find yourself being charged for something you didn’t request or even use. After all it’s easier to talk to a hotel manager than to your finance manager!

The second hidden travel cost that can surprise you is having to buy gas from the car rental company. Most of these establishments demand that you return the car with a full tank, and they will charge you both the cost of the gas (sold at a much higher price than gas stations) and a refueling charge.

The third hidden travel cost is Internet fees. As a business traveler you will often have to check on the office and you will want to be able to view your email as often as possible. However not all establishments have free WiFi and you may find yourself paying unexpectedly just so you can see that important memo from your boss, even if it means paying for WiFi access on an hourly rate.

Not all these travel costs can be avoided, but preparation can help keep your budget under control. Making smart choices–such as looking for better air fare rates, or using a service apartments London instead of a hotel–can also give your company travel budget a little more breathing room to accommodate these little incidental expenses.

About The Author

Derek Gallimore works for a company that lets luxury apartments in London.

Over Reagan’s political run, he had delivered a lot of notable speeches. They have been aired and across different radio and TV programs, and can even be found today through TV services such as www.cable-tv.com. Here is a collection of some of his most memorable ones:

The “Evil Empire”

In Reagan’s speech against the evils of communism, he expounded on the reasons why the United States needed to challenge the reign of “Godless Communism” despite the condemnation of a large number of U.S. allies as well as local liberals. Reagan’s speech was a clear testament to his personal viewpoint of world affairs

“Tear Down This Wall”

Given at the Brandenburg Gate in 1987 to commemorate Berlin’s 750^th anniversary, Ronald Reagan’s speech challenging communist leader Mikhail Gorbachev in Berlin to destroy the Berlin wall if he truly wishes for freedom in the Eastern Bloc through transparency and restructuring.

The Challenger Disaster

Never before had America suffered the loss of one of its brave Astronauts in flight. Given on January 28, 1986, Reagan was slated to deliver his report on the state of the Union at the time – however the earlier event of the Challenger shuttle tragedy caused Reagan to talk instead of the loss of the country and how it should mourn its fallen heroes. Reagan’s address of the Challenger disaster is one of the most heart-wrenching speeches he had ever given.

“A Time for Choosing”

One of Reagan’s earliest speeches, “A Time for Choosing” was Reagan’s televised speech endorsing Barry Goldwater’s run for the presidency. Not only was the speech seen as a kick-start to Reagan’s political run, it is also seen today as one of the greatest speeches ever.

About the guest author:

Vince is a true-blooded American whose love for his country can only be challenged by his love of food.

I don’t know if you follow memes, but if you do, you might have seen that one about the Internet forcing the world to speak English. It is funny, and there is some truth to it. I can’t count how many times I have heard native English speakers who, presumably, have not found themselves in a situation where they need to speak another language. It is also sad, because it can be argued that those people are living their lives in their own little world. Much like the ostrich whose head is buried in the sand, people who think that there is nothing more to the world than their culture and language are missing out on a whole lot.

When it comes to learning foreign languages, there is no better time than now. While they say that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, there have been many cases of “old” people learning to speak foreign languages. Still, it probably is best to learn while young. And that’s where the American education system comes into the picture.

The foreign language deficit in America is not an old issue. Back in 2010, Forbes had a write up about the problem. The issue being the system NOT meeting the needs of the students:

More and more students and their parents understand the need to communicate with friends and foes in other countries, and not just on our terms.  Demand for and enrollment in foreign language courses is at its highest level since 1968.  At public K-12 schools, course enrollment in 2007-2008 reached 8.9 million individuals, about 18.5 percent of all students; between 1995 and 2009, it increased 47.8 percent at colleges and universities.

And that was almost three years ago!

In spite of this shortage in foreign language courses in the education system, the opportunity for American students to learn foreign languages is there. It is also a question of desire, commitment, and money.

One option is to enrol in a program offered by private institutions such as Alliance Francaise and Instituto Cervantes. It costs money, to be sure, but students do have the option. Free courses can also found online, as well as apps to help in language learning. Still, there is the argument that the government should be providing opportunities for our students.

At the end of the day, these two points have to be addressed. In this increasingly open world, there is a need for the American student to learn how to deal with people from other cultures, which may include learning foreign languages. And just as important, the government should consider empowering our students in this regard.

What is your stand on American students learning foreign languages? Unnecessary, a necessary evil, or totally necessary?

About the Author

Bill Miller comes from a family of educators. His personal belief is that education is a lifelong and immersive experience. He is currently traveling the world, and his next destination is Bangkok, where he will spend some time at a Thai school.

Image via ExpatChild

This phenomenon has been attributed to the generally successful system of education in such countries.  It would appear that education and literacy has contributed much to the development of national economies.  Education has allowed “small” countries to stand toe-to-toe with big countries which have long held control of the better opportunities in the job market.  Equalization might just come earlier through education.

Image source: www.bestmastersineducation.com

The big news in the United States this month has surrounded the issue of the fiscal cliff. Many American workers and businesses are stressed over the issue, but there is a segment of the population that doesn’t really know what it’s about. Part of the issue deals with the two percent payroll tax cut that workers have been enjoying for more than two years. While the changes to come will impact a lot of workers, professional staff and support workers will also be largely impacted. Many lawmakers and businesses are confident that a solution will be reached by the end of the month, but no one is sure what that answer will be. Analysts believe the payroll tax break won’t be extended into the new year. If not, it will mean several changes for human resources professionals, including a necessary adjustment to payroll.

What is it?

First, you need to understand what the payroll tax cut entails. This tax break was created in the latter part of 2010 and involves the taxes workers pay into Social Security benefits. It essentially reduces taxes paid by workers from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent. If Congress allows this tax cut to expire on December 31, the tax rate will go back up. Workers will again pay 6.2 percent on the first $113,700 of their earnings each year. Anything over the $113,700 mark is not taxed under either plan.

What impact will this have on the nation?

Many analysts believe the country will fall into a deeper recession as a result of the payroll tax returning to the normal rate. Workers will be making less money and have less to spend as a result. Consumer spending and sales for businesses will slow down drastically. This will hurt small- to medium-sized businesses especially.

What does this mean for human resources professionals?

Human resources professionals will likely be impacted in two ways. First, you have to change your accounting procedures. You will have to go in and adjust the tax rate for all employees from the lowered to the standard rate. This change must take effect on January 1, so depending upon your software, you may have to do this retroactively. This can be tedious and time-consuming for you and your staff. Second, you may have to field inquiries and complaints about the payroll tax increase from workers. Some workers may not pay attention to economic issues and political news and will be shocked when their pay is less than normal. You will need to understand the changes in the tax rate so you can explain this to them. It may be helpful to post information on a company bulletin board, send a company-wide email or include a brief one-page letter or handout with the first payroll in January to explain the tax increase. This will answer many questions before they come to you. As many workers may be angry when they hear of the tax rate returning to normal, you may also wish to include contact information for local lawmakers so your employees will have a place to direct their complaints.

The ending of the payroll tax cut will have an impact on all workers and cause more work for human resources professionals. Be prepared to make adjustments to your payroll methods and do what you can to help the workers at your company understand the changes as they happen.