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Phyliss Anderson (’94), a native of
the Red Water Community in Leake
County, has served as Tribal Chief of
the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
(MBCI) in Choctaw since 2011 and is the
first woman to serve in the position.
She previously served as Red Water
councilperson and played an integral role
in the Tribe’s success while serving as
secretary/treasurer for MBCI from 2003
to 2011. She is also a former director of
natural resources.
She has more than 30 years of
experience in tribal government
management and is fluent in the Choctaw
language.
In honor of her outstanding service to
her community and to the Choctaw Tribe,
Anderson was selected 2016 “Alumna of
Year” at East Central Community College.
Upon receiving word of her selection,
Anderson said, “This is quite an honor! To
join the prestigious list of East Central’s
Alumna of the Year is something I humbly
accept while filled with great pride in my
school. There are so many tribal students
who have walked the halls on the East
Central campus like I did years ago, and I
share this award with them. I have many
wonderful memories during my time at
ECCC. This school gave me a platform
to start a professional career while still
staying close to home to care for my family.
In the native Choctaw language to express
one’s gratitude is to say ‘Yakoki chitto,’
Thank you very much!”
Chief Anderson said the highlight of her
career was when tribal members chose her
to serve as the first female Tribal Chief of
the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.
“I’ve always thought the position was
about leadership; never about gender. I
have been so honored and grateful to the
Choctaw people for allowing me to be a
part of this piece of our history. I truly
believe our successes are a collection of
tribal members working with a deep sense
of unity and desire to do what is best for
our Tribe.”
In her role as Chief, Anderson wears
many hats. In addition to leading tribal
government, she serves as Chief Executive
Officer of the Choctaw Resort Development
Enterprise, and is often called on to
represent the Tribe on a national level.
She says her principal role is to
“maintain a strong and stable government,
progress the economic well-being of our
growing tribe and provide resources and
services to members of our great Tribe, the
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.”
In nominating Chief Anderson for this
award, Melissa Carleton, also an ECCC
alumna who serves as deputy attorney
general for the Tribe, wrote, “As an
employee who reports to and works with
her daily, I can attest to her unparalleled
work ethic and sincere dedication to the
betterment of the Choctaw people and the
surrounding area. She has made enormous
strides in many areas since taking office,
which have directly benefited both tribal
members and non-Indian tribal employees.
It is my opinion that she is well-deserving
of this honor. …”
Chief Anderson has been featured
in numerous national publications as
a rising leader in the Southeast and in
Indian country. She has been honored
and recognized with various awards
and accolades including the Mississippi
Commission on the Status of Women
“Woman of the Year” award in the political/
state and local government category, and
Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 50
Leading Business Women.
She has served on a number of
governing boards and committees for multi-
million dollar enterprises, including those
in tribal manufacturing, tribal government
contracting, and the gaming and hospitality
industry.
Chief Anderson said she has met many
inspiring people in her lifetime, many who
she has worked with or called close friends
and some who continue to encourage her
now.
“I have been so blessed to have mentors
in my career such as Chief Phillip Martin,
but personally my mother has been the
greatest influence in my life. She taught
me and my sisters the value of hard work,
a passionate heart, fairness, patience, and
kindness. She instilled in her seven girls
Chief Anderson Selected
Alumna of the Year
Chief Phyliss Anderson
Class of 1994
See ANDERSON, next page