MVSKOKE RESERVATION – The conflict between Governor Kevin Stitt and Attorney General Gentner Drummond has continued as Stitt responded to Drummond’s refusal to prosecute Indigenous people hunting and fishing on Tribal land without a state-approved license, choosing to attack Drummond for his decision to abide by Tribal law.
In a press release sent out on Nov. 13, titled “Governor Stitt Defends Equal Enforcement of State Hunting Laws, Appoints Special Prosecutor,” Stitt attacked Drummond for his refusal to prosecute Indigenous people.
“The State of Oklahoma can prosecute Indians who commit non-major crimes in our state. I will not stand by and allow lawless Drummond to undermine district attorneys who are prosecuting crimes and keeping Oklahomans safe,” Stitt said.
Gov. Stitt then announced he appointed Russ Cochran, former Assistant District Attorney for both Lincoln and Pottawatomie Counties, as a special prosecutor. Cochran, a former Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics General Counsel, will be tasked with prosecuting Indigenous people hunting and fishing without a state-approved license.
Drummond responded in a Nov. 20 press release, directly calling out Stitt for repeatedly spreading misinformation in regards to tribal sovereignty, and specifically calling out recent statements the governor made suggesting that Drummond believes Tribal citizens are allowed to hunt on private land without permission.
“Gov. Stitt has made a habit of spreading misinformation, especially when it comes to the sovereignty of the tribal nations of Oklahoma. He knows full well that the tribes in Oklahoma do not authorize their citizens to enter private property to hunt or fish without the landowner’s consent. Their tribal codes prohibit it, Oklahoma law prohibits it, and I have never suggested otherwise.” Drummond said in his press release.
Drummond then reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the law.
“The constant lies and corruption [by Gov. Stitt] must stop. The law has not changed and neither has my commitment to it. Oklahomans deserve truth and integrity. Enough is enough.” he said.
Drummond’s statements come as multiple Tribal Nations, including the Choctaw Nation, the Chickasaw Nation, and the Cherokee Nation, have filed a federal lawsuit with the United States District Court for Northern Oklahoma against Gov. Stitt, Cochran, and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
According to a Nov. 18 release from the Choctaw Nation, the lawsuit argues that Gov. Stitt and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation have violated Tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction by continuing to prosecute Indigenous hunters and fishermen on Tribal land. It also argues Gov. Stitt lacks authority to appoint a special prosecutor to prosecute wildlife crimes that occur on Tribal land.
