Opinion: Anti-Indian activity on the rise in Oklahoma Legislature

Thursday, July 21, 2011  

"When last November's election results became known, many political pundits proclaimed Oklahoma's Legislature as the "most conservative in the nation." They didn't realize that it quickly would earn another "most" award within a matter of months into the new legislative session for its work in dealing with the state's Native American population.

Recent activity has now placed Oklahoma at the front of the line for recognition as the most anti-Indian state legislature in the nation. In fact, the Legislature's actions and non-actions of May 18 probably make that single legislative day the second greatest in the history of anti-Indian activity for any legislative body. Of course, the single worst legislative day for Indians came during the Administration of President Andrew Jackson when the Congress of the United States enacted the Indian Removal Act leading to the relocation of tens of thousands of American Indians away from the East Coast. While the good news for Indian Country is that the Removal Act will never be duplicated, the recent actions in the Oklahoma Capitol are chilling not only to tribes within the Sooner State but elsewhere across the country.

Over the years, the Oklahoma House and Senate have featured some of the most wonderfully colorful politicians in the country, although our friends from Louisiana proudly challenge any state to duplicate their native son and former Governor, "Uncle Earl" Long. While stories of Uncle Earl are legendary, the current Oklahoma crew is setting new standards in its treatment of the state's Native American population that defy explanation for a state boasting that it has avoided many of the economic problems confronting others.

The legislature set new standards for itself with two separate actions in a single day. The newest Day of Infamy for Oklahoma's Native Americans is May 18, 2011."

Get the Story:
Dennis J. Whittlesey: United States: What Is Oklahoma Doing To Its Native American Population? (Mondaq.com 7/21)