The Chickasaw Nation's PA 4 Application

The Chickasaw Nation (CN) Judicial Department will use grant funds to renovate the Old Federal Building, hereinafter referred to as the Federal Building, located at 39 North Washington Avenue, Ardmore, Oklahoma. Completed in 1915, this three-story building was once utilized by the United States Federal Court system. It is now owned and held in trust by the CN. The Federal Building is approximately 23,000 square feet, including a basement, numerous office spaces, conference rooms, and the original courtroom, which remains in use today by the CN Judicial Department. Due to the U.S. Supreme Court decision rendered in McGirt v. Oklahoma, the CN Judicial Department has experienced a drastic caseload increase over the past 2 years. The CN’s treaty territorial boundaries stretch over 7,648 square miles and encompass 13 counties in south-central Oklahoma. The primary location for the CN Judicial Department is in Ada, Oklahoma. Because of this, Chickasaw citizens living in the southern areas of the CN’s territorial boundaries are required to travel an average of two hours to attend court proceedings. To accommodate the influx of cases from across the region, ease transportation struggles and provide access to the court for all First Americans living within the CN’s boundaries, it became necessary for the CN Judicial Department to open an additional district court in the southern portion of the service area. Ardmore is the largest city within the CN and is centrally located with easily accessible highways. However, due to the age and condition of the building, renovations are necessary to adequately accommodate and properly serve the patrons of the judicial system.