The sound of the bat rang out across the Chickasaw Nation Softball Complex as five t-ball teams squared off on April 11 in the first Chikasha To’ili Tournament, under the direction of Tiffany Postoak, a Chickasaw citizen and East Central University political science and legal studies major.
Chikasha To’ili means ‘Chickasaw Baseball’ in the Chickasaw language.
In an effort to collect clothing for Native American children in foster care, Postoak was able to collect five large boxes, valued at approximately $1500, and was able to donate another $150 for emergency needs.
“Being able to give the items to the people who didn’t have much…and to get all the items they needed was the greatest feeling you could ever experience,” said Postoak, who graduates from ECU on May 9. “As a Chickasaw citizen, I see the importance of keeping native children in native homes.”
The entry fee for each player was to bring a new item of clothing as Postoak partnered with the Seminole Nation Foster Care Program, an Indian Child Welfare Program. Seminole Nation Principal Chief Leonard Harjo was on hand to greet players and to thank Postoak for her donation.
The project was funded by a $1,000 grant through Youth Service America and the Festival of Children Foundation. Postoak was selected as Oklahoma’s representative to the National Child Awareness Month Youth Ambassador Program.
Youth ambassadors from all 50 states and Washington D.C. were selected, trained and commissioned to raise awareness for children’s charities and created projects that help solve critical issues facing their community.
Postoak was flown to Washington D.C. for an all-expense paid, three-day leadership training institute where she met Rep. Tom Cole, who is also a Chickasaw citizen.
Her plans are attend law school after graduating from ECU. She is president of Pi Sigma Alpha, the political science honor society, and is active in the Legal Professions Association. In 2014, she was chosen for the D.C. Internship Experience through the Department of Political Science and Legal Studies.
Postoak is from Allen and attended Tupelo High School.