Gregory E. Pyle
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters". Gregory Eli Pyle (April 25, 1949 – October 26, 2019) was a Native American politician who was a long-term political leader of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. He was elected as Principal Chief in 1997 and re-elected since by wide margins, reigning for almost 17 years. He resigned on April 21, 2014, effective April 28, 2014.[1] Prior to serving as Principal Chief, he had served as Assistant Chief for 13 years. He began to work for the Choctaw Nation in 1975 as a personnel officer.
Early life and education
Pyle graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.[2]
Chief of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Pyle was sworn in on June 9, 1997 as Chief of the Choctaw Nation.[3] He promised to see that all Congressional actions continued to be closely monitored and that the tribe has a direct input into all legislative acts that affect the Choctaw.
Chief Pyle announced his resignation from office at a party to celebrate his 65th birthday, with an effective date of April 28, 2014. Gary Batton, Assistant Chief under Pyle, assumed the role of Chief of the Choctaw Nation.[4][1]
Chief Pyle died on October 26, 2019, at his home in the Choctaw Nation, aged 70, of unknown causes.
Public service
- 1982 – Hired as Personnel Officer
- 1982 – Appointed to Arkansas Riverbed Board
- 1983 – Became Tribal Program Monitor to oversee and assure contract compliance of all federally funded programs being run by the tribe.
- Testified before Congress for the Arkansas Riverbed case, which was won by the Choctaw, Cherokee and Chickasaw nations.
- 1984 – Elected as Assistant Chief of the Choctaw Nation
- Appointed by Secretary of Interior Manuel Lujan Jr. to serve on a national Task Force to reorganize the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Two years later reappointed by Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt and headed up several subcommittees on the Task Force.[5]
- 1994 – Appointed to the Inter Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes.
- 1996 – Served as the President of the Oklahoma Area Health Board and was also a member of the National Health Board.[5]
- 1997 – Served on Board of Directors of Landmark Bank and Durant Chamber of Commerce.
References
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- ↑ a b "Choctaw Principal Chief announces retirement", Native Times
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- ↑ Associated Press, "Choctaw Chief Pyle to announce retirement", Washington Times, 22 April 2014, accessed 6 December 2014/
- ↑ a b "Chief Gregory E. Pyle to formally announce retirement", The Telegraph, 22 April 2014
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- 1949 births
- 2019 deaths
- 20th-century Native American people
- 21st-century Native American politicians
- Chiefs of the Choctaw
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma politicians
- Native American Christians
- Oklahoma Democrats
- People from Durant, Oklahoma
- People from Fort Bragg, California
- People from Hugo, Oklahoma