Phillip Martin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Miko
Phillip Martin
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2004 portrait
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| Tribal Chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians |
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| In office 1979–2007 |
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| Preceded by | Calvin Isaac |
| Succeeded by | Beasley Denson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 13, 1926 Philadelphia, Mississippi, US |
| Died | February 4, 2010 (aged 83) Jackson, Mississippi, US |
| Resting place | Holy Rosary Catholic Church cemetery |
| Nationality | Mississippi Choctaw United States |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Bonnie Kate Bell |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Branch/service |  United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1945–1955 |
| Battles/wars | Occupation of Europe Korean War |
Phillip Martin (born March 13, 1926 – died February 4, 2010) was an important Native American leader. He was the elected Tribal Chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. This tribe is officially recognized by the United States government.
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has about 8,300 members. They live on or near 30,000 acres (120 square kilometers) of reservation land. This land is located in east-central Mississippi. Chief Martin served his tribe for 40 years. For 32 of those years, he was their main elected leader. He left office in 2007 after Beasley Denson was elected as the new Chief.
Contents
Early Life and Background
Phillip Martin was born in Philadelphia, Mississippi, in 1926. His parents were both Choctaw. He grew up learning about his people's culture and attended local schools.
A Leader's Journey
After serving in the US Air Force for ten years, Phillip Martin returned home to Mississippi. He became involved in tribal leadership in 1957. In 1979, he was first elected as the Tribal Chief.
Working for Tribes Across the Nation
Phillip Martin also worked to help Native American tribes across the country. He served as president of the National Tribal Chairmen's Association. In 1969, he helped start the United South and Eastern Tribes Org (USET). This group connects 23 federally recognized tribes in the eastern United States. Martin was the first president of USET.
He also served as the first president of the Board of Regents for Haskell Indian Nations University. This was from 1970 to 1976. During this time, he helped Haskell get official recognition and improve its buildings. This included new dorms, a cafeteria, and a resource center.
In 1992, Martin started the United South and Eastern Tribes Gaming Association. He helped tribes create gaming (casino) facilities on their reservations. These facilities helped tribes earn money for their communities. This money supported welfare, education, and jobs for tribal members.
Improving the Choctaw Community
As Tribal Chief, Phillip Martin focused on improving life for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. He helped develop an industrial park on the reservation. He also helped create the "$750 million Pearl River Resort." This large resort includes three casinos, two golf courses, and a water park.
Chief Martin was praised for creating thousands of jobs for his people. He also helped set up a scholarship program. This program pays for 100 percent of college costs for young tribal members.
Other businesses and services he helped establish on the Choctaw Indian Reservation include:
- Pearl River Resort (started 2000)
- Choctaw Resort Development Enterprise (started 1999)
- Choctaw Housing Development Enterprise (started 1995)
- Choctaw Golf Enterprise (started 1995)
- Silver Star Resort and Casino (started 1994)
- First American Plastic Molding Enterprise (started 1993)
- Choctaw Construction Enterprise (started 1993)
- First American Printing and Direct Mail Enterprise (started 1990)
- Choctaw Shopping Center (started 1988)
- Choctaw Residential Center (started 1987)
- Choctaw Manufacturing Enterprise (started 1986)
- Chata Enterprise (started 1979)
- Choctaw Development Enterprise (started 1969)
Phillip Martin wrote a book about his life called Chief: The Autobiography of Phillip Martin. He said he felt it was important to share his story. He wanted to do this for the Choctaw people, especially for the young people and those who would be born later.
Death and Lasting Impact
Phillip Martin passed away on February 4, 2010. He died in a hospital in Jackson, Mississippi, after having a stroke a few days earlier. His work greatly improved the lives of the Mississippi Choctaw people and other Native American tribes.
| Preceded by Emmett York |
Tribal Chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians 1979 – August 2007 |
Succeeded by Beasley Denson |
See also
- Apuckshunubbee
- Pushmataha
- Mosholatubbee
- Greenwood LeFlore
- Peter Pitchlynn
- List of Choctaw Treaties
- List of Native American politicians
Images for kids
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2004 portrait of Phillip Martin
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Phillip Martin and his family in the late 1950s or early 1960s
