{"id":15306,"date":"2021-08-27T13:50:23","date_gmt":"2021-08-27T17:50:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/News\/?p=15306"},"modified":"2021-08-27T13:56:34","modified_gmt":"2021-08-27T17:56:34","slug":"muscogee-nation-tribal-sovereignty-is-not-a-threat-to-oklahoma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2021\/08\/27\/muscogee-nation-tribal-sovereignty-is-not-a-threat-to-oklahoma\/","title":{"rendered":"Muscogee Nation: Tribal sovereignty is not a threat to Oklahoma"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t

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Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R): Tulsa Regional Chamber’s State of the State – August 26, 2021<\/a>\r\n<\/figcaption>\r\n
Muscogee Nation: Tribal sovereignty is not a threat to Oklahoma<\/div>\r\n
Friday, August 27, 2021<\/div>\r\n
Source: Muscogee Nation<\/div>\r\n
muscogeenation.com<\/a><\/div>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe following is the text of an August 26, 2021, statement from the Muscogee Nation<\/a>.<\/em> \r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe Muscogee Nation<\/a> has a few updates and corrections to the remarks that Oklahoma Governor Stitt delivered<\/a> at the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce\u2019s annual State of the State meeting.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nWe limit our focus here to the Governor\u2019s statements about the effects of the U.S. Supreme Court\u2019s 2020 ruling in the landmark McGirt v. Oklahoma<\/em> case<\/a> that had the effect of re-affirming our tribal sovereignty<\/a>.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nFirst, \u201cMcGirt<\/em>\u201d is not the biggest problem or threat to Oklahoma. The implementation of changes in criminal jurisdiction and other matters is well under way. The sentencing of Jimcy McGirt in U.S. District Court to three life sentences is a prime example of an orderly process that preserves public safety and delivers justice in the lawful, appropriate venue.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n \"David<\/a>

Chief David Hill of the Muscogee Nation. Photo: Muscogee Nation<\/figcaption>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nFor a very real threat to Oklahoma, no one needs to look further than the effects of COVID-19<\/a>. We and other tribes are working to be a part of that solution \u2013 with free-to-all vaccination clinics, contributions of masks for schools and by implementing access and distancing measures in our own facilities to protect everyone\u2019s health.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe most harmful lie here, though, is the notion that the Supreme Court\u2019s McGirt<\/em> ruling \u201ccreates a public-safety nightmare for victims and law enforcement.\u201d This is false.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nEvery crime in Oklahoma falls under local, state, federal or tribal jurisdiction. No matter where it happens in the state, criminals are arrested, prosecuted and face justice.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe Supreme Court provided a new clarity that enables state, local and tribal governments to collaborate and combine resources to improve public safety and economic growth in ways previously not possible.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nCross-deputization puts more police on the streets \u2013 and makes it seamless for law-enforcement to respond and arrest criminals regardless of whether they are Native or non-Native. The addition of federal and tribal courts mean more resources to prosecute crime, not less.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n \"Muscogee<\/a>

Headquarters of the Muscogee Nation in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Photo: Muscogee Nation<\/figcaption>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nWe must work together to turn these opportunities into reality. Unfortunately, the Governor has chosen to abstain from this process.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe Governor told a story that made it seem like the Tulsa Police might not be able to make an arrest in downtown Tulsa if the perpetrator was Native. That is false.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe Tulsa Police and Muscogee Nation\u2019s Lighthorse law-enforcement arm have cross-deputization agreements (as do most other law-enforcement agencies within the boundaries of the Muscogee Reservation). That means each force has the right to pursue and arrest anyone, as usual \u2013 Native or non-Native. Where the crime gets prosecuted is sorted out after the fact. Again, this amounts to more police on the street.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe Governor told another story that made it seem like Native criminals who vandalized a store might not get prosecuted. That is false. Criminals will be prosecuted in the lawful, appropriate venue \u2013 which might be federal court or tribal court, depending on the crime. Native or non-Native, criminals will face justice.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nIt is unfortunate that the Governor persists on the taxpayer-burdening litany of litigation in attempts to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the McGirt<\/em> case. He pleads that if the decision isn\u2019t overturned, \u201cthere is no state.\u201d That is false.\r\n

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