The Mississippi Free Press sent the following questionnaire to Choctaw Tribal Council candidate Rosa Kanagy, who is running for a seat representing the Crystal Ridge Community in Winston County.
We present her responses with only light edits.
Other candidates can respond to our questionnaire at this link.
Introduce yourself. You may introduce only yourself and/or your family if desired.
My name is Rosa Kanagy, I am married to Tim and we have four adult children: Chris, Bethany ( Derek), Jordan (Darian), Hayley (Andrew). I have seven grandchildren
Which schools have you attended and which degrees have you earned?
Graduated with high school diploma from Noxubee Christian High School, Macon MS, graduated in 2017 with an Associates Degree in Paramedicine from Holmes Community College, Ridgeland, MS, Graduated in 2020 with a Bachelors degree Magna Cum Laude in Criminal Justice: Homeland Security, graduated with a Master’s degree in Homeland Security: Disaster Management, 2025…all degrees are conferred
What previous work experience/knowledge/skills will you bring to the Tribal Council?
Back maybe 20 years ago, I was president of the Crystal Ridge Development Club. At this time, Crystal Ridge’s Tribal Councilmen were Bogue Chitto Tribal Councilmen. During this time, with the development club’s approva,l we successfully brought in the daycare program and the afterschool program. The daycare ran successfully for many years until its doors closed. The after-school program still operates today.
What are the most common issues you hear about from constituents in your community? Are they similar, Reservation-wide or specific to your community?
The most common issues are more housing. From my perspective as a tribal council candidate, the common need is a ride to get to town to the doctor or a way to get to their job. This is problematic since Crystal Ridge is 12 miles to town.
What do you believe is the state of education within the Choctaw Tribal Schools? Can you name some highlights? Have the parents told you of any room for improvement within the tribal school system and the Tribal Scholarship Program?
I believe people are beginning to see the need for higher education or a career trade. My understanding is Tribal Scholarship has many applicants for this fall. Which is a good thing! My husband and I are both proponents for a higher education. We made all four of our children attend college. We have 2 children with bachelor’s degrees, 1 with a Master’s degree and one who will be receiving his Doctorate in December.
Being a tribal scholarship recipient for my bachelor’s and master’s, TBH, I am thankful they were a part of paying for my education but, many a semester I had to pay for my education until they went through their protocol to pay for that semester. That was frustrating and it made me sad for those who were going to school to educate themselves but had to pull out because their semester wasn’t paid for.
What do you believe is the state of health care on the reservation? This question can be applied to the Choctaw Health Center, its referring clinics/hospitals, the Choctaw Residential Center, or elderly assistance. Can you name any highlights with any of the named programs? Do you know of any room for improvement?
A lot of people complain about CHC, but I credit CHC and the emergency room for saving my life when I showed up with COVID and double pneumonia. After Covid, I had follow-up visits, the respiratory therapists were some of the best for educating me on my lungs.
What are your views on the casino industry? Should the tribe expand the resort further or explore other business opportunities?
I work at the Casino and I believe the casino industry has seen its better days. The younger generation no longer comes and it’s elderly people (for the most part). Personally I feel the tribe needs to diversify. The Casino is/was a good thing but we need to start looking ahead and looking at other venues.
Are you closely watching the current Trump administration and some of the actions or language toward Indian Country? As a Tribal Council member of just this one tribe, what are some ways you can protect MBCI’s sovereignty?
I watch the current Trump administration and I see Native Americans getting upset with the way budgets are being cut or eliminated. I feel we need to step back and wait. There are many departments being cut, but I think a better plan is/will be implemented. So, I’m not getting upset just yet. I’m just riding the process right now.
Choctaw voters, including those registered who do not live on reservation lands in Mississippi, will also be facing a vote on the marijuana referendum on June 10, 2025. What are your views on this issue? If you are an incumbent, what are some ways, in your opinion, the Tribal Council would, or should, regulate marijuana on MBCI lands should the tribal members approve of this measure?
I feel medical marijuana can be beneficial in meeting the needs of certain sicknesses to make a person better or have a greater chance of survival. I do not believe in recreational marijuana.
Share any other comments you’d like to make to the Choctaw electorate.
Halito- We are living in the best times and in the best place! We have so much to be grateful and I believe the best is yet to come. Sun Tzu said, “ When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” Community, we can do this! Yakoki!
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