This month’s Texoma Legend is Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Chief Gregory Pyle. Charlie Haldeman reports.

Chief Gregory Pyle says economic development and formal education are the two attributes he mentions when talking about his success and the success of the people he serves.

“You share in making everything grow and prosper much better. You've seen in social ills, you have high unemployment. The better your economics, the generally less social evils you have. And so we believe that everyone in the whole area needs to be economically sound. That keeps our children from having to move off to the big cities and we can keep them home.”

Pyle grew up in Hugo and attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant. He was an insurance agent before going to work for the Choctaw Nation, where he serves as chief today.

The Nation has grown leaps and bounds over time, which he says is a result of hard work and determination, something he advises others by reciting a quote from Winston Churchill.

“And it just keeps going. Never, ever, ever give up, no matter what, even if you have problems in school. There's always a way around it. There's always someone there to help. Through school, you'll eventually succeed. You'll have a better life.”

As for his place and the place of the Choctaw people in the community, Pyle is quick to point out the advantages.

“We get to have the best of two worlds.”