• Contact
Friday, May 23, 2025
  • Login
Oklahoma Business Voice
  • Home
  • News
    • All
    • Aerospace
    • Childcare
    • Education
    • Energy & Environment
    • Federal
    • Film & Television Industry
    • Finance
    • Health Care
    • Innovation
    • Issues Affecting Oklahomans
    • OBV One-on-One
    • Opinion
    • Politics & Elections
    • Taxes & Budget
    • Tribal
    • Workforce Development
    Gov. Stitt’s AI Task Force releases recommendations, precautions for implementing AI in Oklahoma

    Oklahoma income tax cut plan sent to Gov. Stitt for approval

    Smiling middle-aged woman studying online on laptop computer while sitting in classroom, doing second degree as mature student. Happy 45s female attending online professional development course

    New law gives more Oklahoma adults chance to earn diploma

    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States of America - January 18, 2017. Ceiling of the dome of State Capitol of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, OK.

    Bills supporting Oklahoma Workforce Commission go to Gov. Stitt

    Tulsa Port of Inola. Photo courtesy of the Tulsa Ports website

    Emirates Global Aluminium to build $4 billion plant in Oklahoma

  • Sign UpNEW
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise With Us!
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • All
    • Aerospace
    • Childcare
    • Education
    • Energy & Environment
    • Federal
    • Film & Television Industry
    • Finance
    • Health Care
    • Innovation
    • Issues Affecting Oklahomans
    • OBV One-on-One
    • Opinion
    • Politics & Elections
    • Taxes & Budget
    • Tribal
    • Workforce Development
    Gov. Stitt’s AI Task Force releases recommendations, precautions for implementing AI in Oklahoma

    Oklahoma income tax cut plan sent to Gov. Stitt for approval

    Smiling middle-aged woman studying online on laptop computer while sitting in classroom, doing second degree as mature student. Happy 45s female attending online professional development course

    New law gives more Oklahoma adults chance to earn diploma

    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States of America - January 18, 2017. Ceiling of the dome of State Capitol of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, OK.

    Bills supporting Oklahoma Workforce Commission go to Gov. Stitt

    Tulsa Port of Inola. Photo courtesy of the Tulsa Ports website

    Emirates Global Aluminium to build $4 billion plant in Oklahoma

  • Sign UpNEW
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise With Us!
No Result
View All Result
Oklahoma Business Voice
No Result
View All Result
Home News
Chickasaw Nation

Jacob McCurdy participated in the Chickasaw Nation ‘s Toksali SMART Program. The program is currently accepting applications until Feb. 28. Photo courtesy of the Chickasaw Nation.

Chickasaw Nation program prepares youth for workforce

Hicham Raache by Hicham Raache
February 13, 2023
in News, Tribal, Workforce Development
Reading Time: 3 mins read
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

ADA, Okla. (OBV) – A Chickasaw Nation program is preparing young tribe members for the workforce by teaching them the skills and work ethic they will need to succeed in their future careers.

Toksali SMART (Successful Mindsets with Attitude and Readiness for Tomorrow) Program trains teenagers and young adults for the workforce by giving them the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and leadership skills, according to a Chickasaw Nation news release.

Alexis Walker, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, graduated from Toksali SMART and is now the program’s curriculum design manager. Her career accomplishments are a testament to the program’s benefits.

“The Toksali SMART Program is beneficial for our youth,” Walker said. “It provides the opportunity (for participants) to see careers in a different way. It also builds life and wellness skills that they may not be receiving in public schools.”

Toksali SMART was formerly known as the Summer Youth Program, and Toksali means “to work” in the Chickasaw language.

The program provides Chickasaws ages 14-21 workforce training, mentoring and entrepreneurial experience. It’s part of the tribe’s ongoing effort to help its young members develop productive work patterns and behaviors in real-world environments.

Toksali collaborates with numerous Chicksaw Nation businesses and organizations.

“These collaborations give Chickasaw youth the ability to explore career opportunities and develop employment skills that align with their future goals and interests, while also strengthening the community workforce,” the news release states.

Participants learn through both hands-on experiences as well as virtual training.

Chickasaw Nation
Caylee Parry participated in the Chickasaw Nation ‘s Toksali SMART Program. The program is currently accepting applications until Feb. 28. Image courtesy of the Chickasaw Nation.

The program has the following three categories:

  • Level I (Chaffa): Designed for students ages 14-15. Students receive pre-employment training that’s entirely virtual and have the most flexible schedule of the groups.
  • Level II (Toklo): Designed for students ages 16-17.
  • Level III (Tochchi’na): Designed for participants ages 18-21 to explore their career interests. They participate at on-the-job training sites, follow a job-appropriate dress code and complete a virtual training curriculum that is incorporated into their work schedule.

It offers a variety of experiences, including virtual pre-employment training, job shadowing, mentoring, leadership opportunities, on-the-job training and more.

“I really like the online course because it taught me about banking systems and how financing and budgeting works,” said Caylee Parry, a Toksali SMART participant. “They also covered things like how much you should exercise each day. I feel like the courses are informative.”

Toksali study topics include the Chickasaw Nation’s core values, an introduction to the Chickasaw nation and other cultural experiences, wellness and nutrition, customer service and leadership skills.

“The Chickasaw Nation benefits from the Toksali SMART Program because it builds future leaders and employees,” Walker said. “We see many of these students come back to work for the tribe. I am a product of the Toksali SMART Program myself.”

The program has grown since its creation. It had 50 year-round participants and 432 summer participants in 2022, and 75 year-round participants in 2023. More than 500 youth participants are anticipated for this summer, according to Justin Lofton with the Chickasaw Nation.

Toksali offices are located in Ada, Ardmore, Purcell and Tishomingo.

The program is currently accepting applications until Feb. 28. Visit Chickasaw.net/ToksaliSMART or call (580) 310-9240 to learn about program participation requirements or for more information.

Tags: Chickasaw NationSuccessful Mindsets with Attitude and Readiness for TomorrowSummer Youth ProgramToksali SMARTWorkforce
ShareTweetShare
Previous Post

Oklahoma Treasurer: State’s gross receipts hit new high, interest rates rise

Next Post

Tulsa Community College students get pathway to job success

Related Posts

Gov. Stitt’s AI Task Force releases recommendations, precautions for implementing AI in Oklahoma
News

Oklahoma income tax cut plan sent to Gov. Stitt for approval

May 23, 2025
Smiling middle-aged woman studying online on laptop computer while sitting in classroom, doing second degree as mature student. Happy 45s female attending online professional development course
Education

New law gives more Oklahoma adults chance to earn diploma

May 22, 2025
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States of America - January 18, 2017. Ceiling of the dome of State Capitol of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, OK.
News

Bills supporting Oklahoma Workforce Commission go to Gov. Stitt

May 21, 2025
Tulsa Port of Inola. Photo courtesy of the Tulsa Ports website
Energy & Environment

Emirates Global Aluminium to build $4 billion plant in Oklahoma

May 20, 2025
State Capitol of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City
News

Gov. Stitt gets initial report on Oklahoma Dept. of Mental Health finances

May 19, 2025
Rural broadband - internet for agriculture
News

$53 million in fed grants bringing broadband to Oklahoma homes, businesses

May 16, 2025
Next Post
Chad Warmington, State Chamber President and CEO, speaks at Tulsa Community College.

Tulsa Community College students get pathway to job success

Oklahoma Business Voice

© 2023 Oklahoma State Chamber.
Powered by High Five Media.
Privacy Policy

Navigate Site

  • Home
  • News
  • Sign Up
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise With Us!

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Sign Up
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise With Us!

© 2023 Oklahoma State Chamber.
Powered by High Five Media.
Privacy Policy

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.