Choctaw Nation 477 Program Employment Training Services

06/05/2026

06/05/2026

PC2 Sierra would like to share a recent success story in Choctaw County!

Choctaw Tribal Member Sabre Standifer had been living out of state when life & family guided his path back to Oklahoma. He sought employment upon his relocation & applied for assistance via Employment Training Services. Before he could begin in a temporary role, Sabre was offered a permanent role as a Cage Cashier with CNO Casino & Resort in Grant!

Employment Training Services was able to provide this tribal member with a supportive service that allowed him to obtain work attire that was required for his new role & not provided by the worksite.

PC2 Sierra & the rest of our staff in Employment Training Services look forward to seeing your continued growth and success within the CNO Reservation! Welcome back home!

06/03/2026

PC2 John is excited to share the success of Shelly Johnson in Bryan County!

Shelly began work at CNO Headquarters via Employment Training Services in April. She did exceptionally well during her time utilizing Work Experience (WEX) & consistently received high praise for the work she did. Halfway through her anticipated WEX work dates, she accepted a job offer with CNO Headquarters EVS! Shelly was hired into a full-time role & exited WEX early to begin in her new role.

Congratulations on your full-time role with Choctaw Nation! Employment Training Services wishes you continued success in this role!

Pictured: Worksite Manager Mark Romos, Tina Rocha, Shelly Johnson, and PC2 John Williams.

06/02/2026

Join us in congratulating our very own PC2 Stephanie on her completion of CNO’s Apesanchi Management Essentials Series! 🎉

Apesanchi means to care for (child). This course was 7 full-day classes, spread across seven months. Classes focused on advanced management, diving deeper into core values and goal setting, & refining skills to align more effectively with organizational objectives. Together, attendees learned techniques to help integrate new team members seamlessly, enhance delegation, and manage time to lead with efficiency. With insights into various leadership styles, attendees learned ways to adapt approaches to suit both team needs & organizational goals.

PC2 Stephanie shared that the most impactful piece of this training series was the opportunity to learn from her peers & managers who serve in various regions & departments across the CNO Reservation. When discussing decision making, PC2 Stephanie stated that this course really emphasized the importance of considering what is best for the Tribe while making decisions that truly consider the greater good. PC2 Stephanie would “encourage all associates to visit with [CNO] Learning & Development!”

Our 477 Program is so proud of you, Stephanie! We recognize the time & effort that was put into this, and we want to share some your successes!

05/28/2026

🌟 Now Hiring: Head Start Substitutes (2026–2027 School Year)!
Looking for a rewarding opportunity that fits your family schedule? Join our team as a Head Start Substitute for the 2026–2027 school year!
✅ Enjoy a flexible schedule that aligns with your school-aged children
✅ Earn extra income for your family
✅ Make a difference in the lives of young learners
📌 Apply today: https://liftca.org/careers/

05/28/2026

Congratulations to former ETS participant, Jana, for successfully completing ETS Work Experience!

Jana worked with PC2 Courtney Clayton & JFTD Shyann Anna to serve in a temporary role at CNO Travel Plaza in Idabel. Through these programs, Jana was able to learn skills while gaining valuable work experience & hands-on training that prepared her to interview and be hired into a regular role at the same worksite!

Pictured: Worksite Supv. Krysta Tims, Jana, & PC2 Courtney.

05/27/2026

🌟 A Heartfelt Thank You! 🌟

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Program Coordinator Stephanie Cantwell for her time, dedication, and service at the Poteau Choctaw Community Center luncheon.

Your willingness to step in, serve, and support our community truly reflects the spirit of care and commitment we value so deeply. Moments like these remind us how fortunate we are to have individuals who go above and beyond to uplift others.

Thank you, Stephanie, for making a difference and for representing our program with such kindness and generosity! 💙

05/27/2026

📣 Join Us Today at SOSU!

Stop by and visit our Program Coordinator, Bri Wilson, in the Hallie McKinney Ballroom for NAI Services Day from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM today!

🎓 Native American students attending SOSU this fall can:
�✅ Connect with valuable campus resources
�✅ Get questions answered and build community
�✅ Enjoy free lunch provided!

We can’t wait to see you there—come by, say hello, and get set up for success this fall! 🌟

05/20/2026

PC2 Tyler Akins would like to congratulate Kody Ward on receiving permanent employment within The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma!

During his time on ETS Work Experience (WEX) at Talihina Senior Nutrition, Kody served elders in his community & assisted CNO Senior Nutrition fo 8 weeks. As his time on WEX neared its end, Kody accepted a job offer to continue to serve as a Cook. ETS is proud of your success & our team looks forward to seeing you continue to do well in this role!

Pictured from left to right: Senior Nutrition Supervisor Jerrod Johnson, Senior Nutrition Program Manager Magan White, Kody Ward, Program Coordinator 2 Tyler Akins, and District 3 councilman Eddie Bohanan.

05/06/2026

🌟 Choctaw Nation 477 Program Spotlight! 🌟
Come out and visit Program Coordinators Tyler Akins & Stephanie Cantwell today at WorkReady in Poteau, OK! 🙌

They’ll be available now through 2:00 PM sharing important information about the Choctaw Nation 477 Program—a great resource designed to support education, training, and employment opportunities for eligible participants. 💼📚

Whether you’re exploring career pathways, looking to build new skills, or seeking support services to help you reach your goals, the 477 Program can help guide you every step of the way!

✅ Learn about available services�✅ Ask questions and get one-on-one guidance�✅ Discover opportunities for your future

📍 Location: WorkReady – Poteau, OK�⏰ Time: Now until 2:00 PM

Don’t miss this chance to connect with Tyler and Stephanie and take the next step toward your success! 🌱✨