Muscogee Nation calls U.S. Supreme Court decision a ‘step backward’ for justice in Indian Country

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Headquarters of the Muscogee Nation in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Photo: Muscogee Nation

Muscogee Nation calls Supreme Court decision a ‘step backward’ for justice in Indian Country

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Indianz.Com

The Muscogee (Creek) Nation issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta on June 29, 2022.

Muscogee (Creek) Nation

The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling today in Castro-Huerta v Oklahoma is an alarming step backward for justice on our reservation in cases where non-Native criminals commit crimes against Native people. It hands jurisdictional responsibility in these cases to the State, which during its long, pre-McGirt, history of illegal jurisdiction on our reservation, routinely failed to deliver justice for Native victims.

While we hope for the best, we are not optimistic that the quality of effort from the State of Oklahoma will be any better than before.

Today’s ruling also purports to expand the State of Oklahoma’s authority on reservation lands to unprecedented levels to include concurrent jurisdiction on trust and restricted lands. This will have a ripple effect throughout Indian Country across the United States.

Tribal governments in collaboration with the federal government are best suited to protect our people and administer justice on our reservations. Public safety would be better served by expanding Tribal authority to prosecute any crime committed by any offender within our reservation boundaries rather than empowering entities that have demonstrated a lack of commitment to public safety on Indian lands.

We look forward to collaborating with Members of Congress and the federal government to identify all options available to empower Tribal governments to ensure the safety and prosperity of all who reside, work or visit our reservation. This is a pivotal moment for all tribal nations.

U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta

Syllabus | Opinion [Kavanaugh] | Dissent [Gorsuch] | Complete Document

U.S. Supreme Court Documents in Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta

Questions Presented | Docket Sheet: No. 21-429 | Oral Argument Transcript | Day Call

Syllabus – Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta

21-429_8o6a-syllabus

Opinion [Kavanaugh] – Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta

21-429_8o6a-opinion

Dissent [Gorsuch] – Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta

21-429_8o6a-dissent

Full Document – Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta

21-429_8o6a