Kimberly Teehee: The strength of Oklahoma lies in its people

Thursday, July 11, 2019

The Cherokee Nation breaks ground on the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, on May 20, 2019. Photo: Cherokee Nation

The following is a statement from Kimberly Teehee, the Vice President of Government Relations for Cherokee Nation Businesses, regarding Class III gaming compact negotiations in Oklahoma. Teehee is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation.

Oklahoma tribes have enjoyed a cooperative relationship with the state of Oklahoma for 15 years, and our gaming compact continues to be beneficial for all Oklahomans.

Comparing commercial tax rates in other states to exclusivity fees paid by Oklahoma tribes is an apples-to-oranges comparison. Tribes differ from commercial casino operators in many ways.

Commercial casino operators do not pave roads in their states, build homes for people in their communities, provide college scholarships to needy students or keep hospitals open in rural, underserved communities.

Image and photo courtesy Cherokee Nation

Commercial operators are often headquartered in faraway places like Las Vegas. Tribal gaming operators are headquartered locally, where the Cherokee Nation’s 11,500 employees live, send our kids to school, and care about the long-term health of our state. Unlike commercial operators, we are a corporate headquarters that will never leave Oklahoma.

The Cherokee Nation – state of Oklahoma gaming compact outlines that we pay exclusivity fees that range from 4% to 10% of revenues on Class III games. However, our broader impact on the state’s economy and all Oklahomans is felt through our investments in health care, education, housing, infrastructure and core services that the state of Oklahoma is often unable to provide.

The strength of Oklahoma lies in its people, so we look forward to sharing more with state leaders how Oklahoma’s economy is enriched by the nearly 40 tribes that call Oklahoma home.

Oklahoma's new Republican governor, a Cherokee citizen, wants more gaming revenues from tribes. Tribal leaders aren't happy. Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby calls the proposal a "surprise to us." Quapaw Nation Chairman John Berrey says tribes demand a "respectful approach."
— indianz.com (@indianz) July 9, 2019

BILL ANOATUBBY, CHICKASAW NATION: "The Governor’s position, as stated in his editorial and letter, came as a surprise to us. A position of this significance warrants respectful and purposeful conversations, particularly given the complexity of the compact and the law." #Oklahoma
— indianz.com (@indianz) July 9, 2019

BILL ANOATUBBY, CHICKASAW NATION: "We are evaluating the Governor’s letter and will consider our options. We have always placed a high value on the partnership we have enjoyed with the State of Oklahoma."
— indianz.com (@indianz) July 9, 2019

BILL ANOATUBBY, CHICKASAW NATION: "The constructive relationship has benefited the economy and the citizens of Oklahoma. It is our hope to preserve this positive partnership so we can continue to work together for the betterment of our state."
— indianz.com (@indianz) July 9, 2019

JOHN BERREY, QUAPAW NATION: "The Quapaw Nation fully supports the statement of the Chickasaw’s Nations Governor Anoatubby & we want to underscore that Oklahoma Tribal Nation Gaming collectively employs & provides benefits to Oklahomans more than any other industry in Oklahoma..."
— indianz.com (@indianz) July 9, 2019

JOHN BERREY, QUAPAW NATION: "...and we are Citizens of our Tribal Nations & citizens of this wonderful state of Oklahoma. Our sovereign status demands a respectful approach to any Government to Government interactions..."
— indianz.com (@indianz) July 9, 2019

JOHN BERREY, QUAPAW NATION: "...mindful of the many productive conversations that lead us to the original compacts and a clear understanding of our current and historic economic contributions that have enriched all Oklahomans."
— indianz.com (@indianz) July 9, 2019

Writing in The Tulsa World, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) called for tribes to make a "fair-market contribution" to the state. He claimed an industry standard of 20-25 percent, FAR higher than the 6 percent cap in the current Class III gaming compact. https://t.co/GGYI3TZKbX
— indianz.com (@indianz) July 9, 2019

The existing Class III gaming compacts start to expire on January 1, 2020, so a new agreement is clearly high on the agenda for Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican and Cherokee citizen who is the second Native American to serve as governor of #Oklahoma. He won election last November.
— indianz.com (@indianz) July 9, 2019

Osage Nation Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear also addressed the governor's demand as his tribe broke ground on a $28 MILLION HOTEL EXPANSION at its flagship gaming facility. He compared the demand to a "tax" on his people, The Tulsa World reported. #Oklahoma https://t.co/zNfBHFs0Ur
— indianz.com (@indianz) July 9, 2019

The Tulsa World reported: "Because 100% of the profits of this enterprise goes to our people, for our culture, our education, our health. So when we tax on these enterprises, we're taxing our people." #Oklahoma
— indianz.com (@indianz) July 9, 2019