A group of lawmakers reintroduced a bill to make English the official language of Oklahoma.

The bill affects the use of English by the state government. It contains exemptions for tribal governments but the Cherokee Nation and other tribes opposed similar legislation in the past.

"We have Indians in this state who have lived under a regime of English-only; that was the rule in Indian boarding schools in Oklahoma for generations," Cherokee Chief Chad Smith said in a statement, the Associated Press reported. "We've seen what English-only has done to native communities, where bilingual speakers are rarer today than ever. I can't see that Oklahoma is a better place because whole generations were punished for violating an English-only policy."

If passed, the bill would put the issue before state voters.

Get the Story:
Oklahoma lawmakers try for official English law (AP 1/15)
Lawmakers Refile Official English Legislation (The Bixby Bulletin 1/14)