TVLSE, Oklv. – The air in the Venue Shrine was filled with robust conversation and enthusiastic engagement as Tulsans came out to the Mayor Candidate Town Hall on March 25. The town hall was a collaboration between the Tulsa Riverview Neighborhood Association, the Maple Ridge Neighborhood, the Venue Shrine and Mvskoke Media. The Historic Riverview Neighborhood (RVNA) lies adjacent to the Council Oak Tree Park in downtown Tulsa. Within the past year the Riverview Neighborhood Association has collaborated with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to preserve and restore the Council Oak Tree Park.
According to RVNA President Chris McCabe, the night presented an opportunity for the hosting organizations to ask questions on behalf of the citizens they represent.
“We have issues that are unique to our neighborhoods and we wanted to come together to present these candidates for mayor.” McCabe said. “Our issues and the things that we deal with in this little pocket of Tulsa might be different in other parts of Tulsa. All the questions that we have for the candidates have been brought to them by the neighbors within Riverview and Maple Ridge with the exception of Mvskoke Media.”
The three Tulsa mayoral candidates present at the townhall included Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith, Oklahoma State Representative Monroe Nichols and Tulsa City Councilman Jayme Fowler. The town hall featured three segments hosted by a moderator who represented a sponsoring organization. Questions ranged in topics including homelessness, education, mass transit and tribal relations with the Mvskoke Nation.
In opening remarks the candidates outlined their purpose for running. Fowler, a Tulsa native, remarked that he simply wants to continue to add to the growth Tulsa has enjoyed over the past decade. Keith, currently in her fourth term as county commissioner, exclaimed that if elected she plans to simply continue her efforts to collaborate with citizens to make Tulsa a better place to live. Nichols stated that wants to take the leadership values he has learned from serving in the state legislature and apply them in tackling the challenges and issues Tulsa currently faces.
Candidates on Tribal Affairs
During Mvskoke Media’s segment of the night, questions regarding Hooper v. Tulsa, Muscogee (Creek) Nation vs. Tulsa, campaign contributions by tribes, and Council Oak Tree Park were asked of each candidate. Hooper v. Tulsa pertained to whether the city has the jurisdiction to prosecute Native Americans who are enrolled citizens of a federally-recognized tribe on the MCN Reservation. That case was dismissed by the 10th Circuit of Appeals in December 2023. In response to the Hooper case, Muscogee (Creek) Nation filed suit against Tulsa, claiming that the city was unlawfully prosecuting enrolled tribal citizens on the MCN reservation.
Keith’s position on the suits detailed cooperation on behalf of municipal and tribal leaders. “This decision (Hooper v. Tulsa) means that now more than ever we have got to work with our tribes, City of Tulsa and tribal nations to resolve these questions as they linger.” Keith said. She further asserted that she respects the rule of law, as well as tribal sovereignty.
Nichols’ stance on tribal affairs is that it is simply part of the job, a responsibility included with the oath of office. He claimed that he has even developed a strategy to co-govern with the tribes whom Tulsa’s jurisdiction lies within. “This is the largest city to exist wholly on a Native reservation,” Nichols said. “I think it’s important that we don’t just think about this one court ruling in a vacuum, but really think about how we co govern with our tribal nations.”
Fowler said that he wants to streamline the process regarding justice for tribal citizens that commit crimes on the reservation. He stated that this is necessary for the general safety of all Tulsans. “I want to make it work not only for our tribal brothers and sisters, but our citizens also,” Fowler said. “When we all work together we have a much better outcome. Negotiations are not always easy but they must be done out of respect.”
Keith and Nichols stated that they have met with tribal leaders regarding co-governing issues and have received donations from tribal partners for their campaigns. Fowler stated that he has not received any campaign donations from tribal partners, but is open to meeting with tribal leaders.
The Tulsa Mayoral election will take place on August 27. The full recorded town hall can be viewed on Mvskoke Media’s Youtube channel. Mvskoke Media’s segment begins at 45:15.
