Mississippi attorney selected to lead Chickasaw Inkana' Foundation

ADA, Okla. - Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby recently appointed an experienced Mississippi attorney and businessman to lead a Chickasaw Nation-supported foundation in the homelands.

Mr. Brad Prewitt, Tupelo, was appointed executive director of the newly-formed Inkana' Foundation. Based in Tupelo, the Inkana'

"Friend" Foundation is a nonprofit corporation with a mission to help protect, preserve and interpret Chickasaw homeland historic sites.

Mr. Prewitt is an eighth-generation Mississippian with 21 years of experience as an attorney, business consultant, government relations specialist, corporate officer, entrepreneur and volunteer leader.

"Mr. Prewitt brings a wide range of experience, knowledge and skills to his position," said Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby. "Brad Prewitt is very enthusiastic about building mutually beneficial relationships with the people of our homeland. We believe this foundation will be a great asset as we continue on our journey to expand the scope of knowledge of Chickasaw history and culture."

Together with the Inkana' Foundation, the Chickasaw Nation strives to develop, enhance and maintain relationships and partnerships within communities and organizations in both the traditional homelands and Chickasaw country.

The historic Chickasaw homelands encompass the Tupelo-area and include northern Mississippi, western Tennessee, northwest Alabama and southwestern Kentucky.

As executive director, Mr. Prewitt will guide communication, education and preservation efforts and help build partnerships with surrounding communities and organizations to ensure mutually beneficial relationships.

Mr. Pruitt said that he is enthusiastic about his new position and 'the people with whom I get to work."

"Gov. Anoatubby is a humble and capable leader and this is a great opportunity to get to work alongside him and help fulfill his vision."

"There are many opportunities for the foundation to educate residents in the homelands," said Mr. Prewitt. "Students need a better understanding of Chickasaw and Native American history."

Prior to the Chickasaw Nation appointment, Mr. Prewitt was a successful Mississippi attorney for many years, also serving as Sen. Thad Cochran's General Counsel in Washington, D.C.

He pursues a number of entrepreneurial activities in a wide-range of sectors, including a furniture enterprise, a biotech startup company, cattle ranching and real estate.

During his career, Mr. Prewitt has served as chairman of the City of Tupelo's first public transportation committee and served a six-year term on the Mississippi Heritage Trust board.

A dedicated preservationist, in 2010 he completed an award-winning restoration of one of Tupelo's 10 Most Endangered structures – The R. C. Clark House. Built in 1910, it is now downtown office space and listed on the National Register.

In fact, it was his drive to seek more knowledge of Native American artifacts unearthed on his family property that connected him with the Chickasaw Nation.

"There were Indian artifacts on the ground and people would come out to the property for research," he said.

When he began to research Native American artifact experts, he came across the name of Dr. Brad Lieb, Chickasaw Nation Cultural Resource specialist.

A Mississippi native, Mr. Prewitt is a graduate of Delta State University, West Cleveland, Miss, earning degrees in History and French, where he earned the highest academic average in the class.

Mr. Prewitt attended the University of Mississippi School of Law, where we was a James O. Eastland Scholar and honor graduate.

Mr. Prewitt is a member of numerous community service organizations including the local Kiwanis Club. He is an executive board member and fundraising chairman of the Tupelo / North Miss. Symphony Board and was formerly on the Board of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at Ole Miss. Mr. Prewitt was a member of the 2010 class of the Jim Ingram Community Leadership Institute of CDF.

He has also served on the Lee County GOP Executive Committee, the Lee County Cattlemen's Association, and the Equal Justice Foundation – Mississippi's Legal Services fundraising arm.

He is a member of the Woodland Baptist Church in Pontotoc County, Mississippi, where he teaches adult Sunday school and sings in the choir.

Mr. Prewitt is married to the former Malinda Mallory, M.D. The couple have twin 6-year-old sons and resides on the family's 178-year-old farm, where they have cattle, horses and chickens.