OKMULGEE – On Aug. 20 Governor Kevin Stitt announced an emergency filing with the Oklahoma Supreme Court to compel the City of Tulsa to enforce state and municipal laws within its jurisdiction. This comes after the June 25 settlement agreement between the City of Tulsa and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. The settlement ended a lawsuit launched by the MCN against the City of Tulsa regarding city prosecution of Tribal citizens within areas of Tulsa that are in the MCN Reservation.
According to a statement released from Governor Stitt’s office, the terms of the settlement agreement between the City of Tulsa and MCN were not derived from the decision in Mcgirt v Oklahoma which reinforced the MCN’s status as a sovereign nation and changed criminal jurisdiction in eastern Oklahoma. Governor Stitt claims the settlement poses a threat to the state.
“More than anything, this is a public safety issue,” Governor Stitt said. “No mayor has the authority to pick and choose which Oklahomans are subject to the laws of our state. By entering into this agreement, Mayor Nichols has essentially made Tulsa a sanctuary city with two systems of justice. One for those with tribal membership and one for everyone else. This makes our state less safe.”
MCN Principal Chief David Hill responded to the filing in a public statement. According to Chief Hill, many local leaders have made an effort to recognize the MCN’s sovereignty in regards to its right to prosecute Tribal citizens that commit crimes on the reservation. The statement reads:
More of the same… It is disappointing—but not at all surprising—that Governor Stitt is once again trying to undermine agreements that strengthen both our Nation and the state of Oklahoma. The settlement between Tulsa and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation is a responsible solution that respects sovereignty, improves public safety, and benefits all Oklahomans, so of course, he wants to block it. We have so many that understand and value the relationship with tribal Nations. The Oklahoma legislature, city officials, Mayor Nichols, the City of Bixby where we’ll proudly raise a Muscogee flag soon…..heck even our world champion Oklahoma City Thunder! Yet, our own Governor continues to be divisive and refuses to work together. We’re beyond frustrated. Instead of wasting taxpayer dollars on divisive lawsuits, the Governor should be working with us to build stronger partnerships for the future. I’ll say it every time.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin also issued a public statement in response to Governor Stitt’s emergency filing. According to Chief Hoskin, he describes the governor’s actions as “hostile”. The statement reads:
It is no surprise that Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt believes that tribal and non-tribal government cooperation is a bad idea. He has always viewed the exercise of tribal sovereignty as coming at the expense of other governments and public interest. The historic agreement between Muscogee Nation and the City of Tulsa strengthens the blanket of public safety across Tulsa while respecting Muscogee Nation’s treaty rights of self governance over its reservation. Gov Stitt’s hostility to tribal sovereignty and his remarkably uninformed views on the subject are, fortunately, outliers in a state full of civic, business, faith leaders and government leaders – like Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols – who see tribes as partners, not enemies. Gov. Stitt’s backward views on tribal sovereignty are destined for the dustbin of history.
On Thursday, Aug 21 the Oklahoma Supreme Court filed an order directing responses to the filing no later than Wednesday, Sept 10.
According to the City of Tulsa, collaboration with Tribal partners, including the MCN, to streamline processes like public safety procedures for municipal cases is ongoing. On Wednesday, the Tulsa City Council filed notice of a special public meeting scheduled for Friday, Aug 21 at 11 a.m at the Council Oak Comprehensive Healthcare Center. Among the agenda items is a settlement update from the Director of Tribal Policy Partnerships, Amanda Swope. The Council Oak Center is located at 10109 E. 79th St.
