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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2003

An Oklahoma lawmaker who once called for blood quantum legislation to weed out the "wannabe" Indians is in a new flap over a Confederate flag.

Rep. Wayne Pettigrew, a Republican from Edmond, authored legislation to place the Cherokee Brave flag at the Statehouse. The Cherokee Braves were a group of Cherokee citizens who fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War.

"I want to put up a flag to replace the Confederate flag," Pettigrew said, according to the Associated Press. "It represents Native American rights."

In a letter to The Daily Oklahoman, Jere W. Roberson writes: "Why must state Rep. Wayne Pettigrew follow the Trent Lott school of leadership? Why would Pettigrew take this opportunity to stir his cauldron and raise divisive issues? Here we are in a time of national crisis, when our sons and daughters are being called on to perhaps make the ultimate sacrifice for their nation, and this Republican legislator from Edmond reopens wounds that our Democrat and Republican governors over the last almost 14 years have seen fit to leave un- picked at."

Get the Story:
Lawmaker says Confederate flag proposal 'racially insensitive' (AP 1/15)
Indian activist wants apology over flag flap (The Daily Oklahoman 1/15)
Letter: Legislator seeks flag's return to Capitol [fourth item] (Jere W. Roberson. The Daily Oklahoman 1/15)

Relevant Links:
State Rep. Wayne Pettigrew - http://www.lsb.state.ok.us/house/Members/hd39.htm

Related Stories:
Lawmaker wants to end tribal monopoly (11/13)
Opinion: Indians don't need lottery (10/23)
Okla. lawmaker wants blood quantum rule (9/6)
Okla. urged to tax tribal casinos (9/4)