Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. of the Cherokee Nation issued the following statement on July 20, 2020, in connection with the formation of The Oklahoma Commission on Cooperative Sovereignty by Governor Kevin Stitt (R):
“It’s disappointing but not surprising that Governor Stitt has not named any of the Five Tribes leaders to his commission. This example however is the very reason the Cherokee Nation has worked with other tribal leaders, the state Attorney General and federal partners on a framework on the prosecution of suspects who commit violent crimes dealing with Natives on reservations, so that we can have a seat at the table on what that framework looks like and what it means for our citizens, while maintaining sovereign rights for our people.
I do have respect to those who will put their time and effort into this important commission.”