Update From Chief Flanagan 5/10/2026

Good evening! We started last week off right by attending a ribbon cutting for a local Charleston business, Del Sol. Marco A. Vazquez and family do a great job at this restaurant providing delicious food and fast service. It is the kind of place that the whole town comes to on taco Tuesday!

In the middle of the week we took the kids to an art class provided by Into The Wild’s Apothecary in Ozark. This shop is a must see as one can learn a great deal about the medicinal properties and edibility of local plant life. Jess Clayborn has many useful herbal raw materials on hand for purchase. So be sure to stop by 205 North St. Ozark.

Later we had a field trip to William M. Gage cemetery in Peter Pender Arkansas. This is a place of interest as these graves are the right age to be the resting place of early Chickamauga settlers.

Stephen Pile was happy to grant us permission onto his family land to conduct our studies as he is a student Arkansas history and advocate for Native Americans.

The first Growing A Healthy Charleston farmers market of the year, was upbeat and enjoyable! We had a good turnout of vendors and customers. As per usual, I spent more money than I made!

I want to wish a happy Mother’s Day to my mother Donna Kengla. She is an amazing, hard working woman that is always on the go. She has given years of her life in service to the Charleston community helping with the town dog shelter and has aided in finding a forever home for many stray dogs.

I also have to wish a happy Mother’s day to my beautiful wife Lacy Flanagan. She is a devoted mother, wife and Clan Mother that works hard for our family and Tribe. I am very grateful for her and her seemingly never ending patience that has allowed her to put up with me for over 13 years.

Hopefully this week will be just as great,

thank you!

Justin Flanagan
Western Region Medal Chief
The Chickamauga Nation