Oklahoma Tribes respond to Stitt’s ‘State of the State’
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Following Gov. Stitt’s fourth ‘State of the State’ address, tribal leaders spoke out about some of the governor’s claims.
During the speech, Stitt spoke about his ongoing fight following the U.S. Supreme Court’s McGirt ruling. “From the beginning, I’ve sounded the alarm on the Supreme Court’s McGirt decision. Because I knew then, and I know now, that even a narrow Supreme Court ruling can fundamentally change a state. Oklahoma has been robbed of the authority to prosecute crimes. Put simply, McGirt jeopardizes justice,” Stitt said.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Hoskin, Jr. released the following statement:
“This isn’t about winning and losing. This isn’t personal. It’s not Kevin Stitt versus the tribes. Instead, it’s about certainty. It’s about law and order. It’s about fairness, equal protection under the law, and one set of rules. We’re all Oklahomans. Let’s work together to solve this,” he added.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Hoskin, Jr. released the following statement:
“It’s time for the governor to move forward and work alongside our tribes. Tribal nations have been crucial to the successes in Oklahoma, contributing to jobs, economic growth, public safety, COVID response, health care and supporting education, communities, roads, and law enforcement.
The crimes that Governor Stitt mentioned in his speech are tragic. Any death is one too many, and we remain fully committed to doing all that we can to support victims and prosecute crime. But the way to resolve these matters is to bring everyone together — tribes, state leaders, law enforcement, Congress, and local officials — to develop real solutions, not to seek endless litigation that creates headlines but not much else.
In the year and a half since the McGirt decision, tribes have been working closely with state, local and federal partners to address public safety challenges and ensure we can provide a blanket of protection to everyone on our reservation. Meanwhile, Governor Stitt prioritized creating instability across Oklahoma, with nothing to show for his quest to overturn McGirt but millions of wasted Oklahoma taxpayer dollars, and lost time that could have been spent working collaboratively on our shared safety goals.
The relationship between the state of Oklahoma and the Cherokee Nation is one between a state and a sovereign nation, one with specific rights, with a system of justice and with a separate jurisdiction. We do not advocate for unequal rules, or for discrimination, as Oklahoma’s governor seems to claim. We seek the same ideals as we have for over a century, working together as a partner.”
After Stitt’s speech, Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief David Hill released this statement:
I am thankful for House Speaker McCall’s hospitality and invitation to attend the Governor’s State of the State address today.
I attended with hopes to hear that Gov. Stitt might transition toward cooperation and collaboration with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and other tribal nations now that the United States Supreme Court has refused to overturn its McGirt ruling.
As I listened, I heard Oklahoma’s governor again use tragedy and fear-mongering for his own gain. Even worse, he made up a story using the tragic case of a child who was killed. The Governor's claim that Richard Roth could be released from prison due to McGirt is patently false.
Roth is, has been and remains in state custody and, more so, because this case was resolved prior to McGirt and courts have ruled that McGirt does not apply retroactively, it remains within State jurisdiction. The State is in full control.
I came to listen to the Governor. I have no tolerance for his continued ignorance of the facts and his sowing of false fear. The Governor continues to throw himself down kicking and screaming in the path to implement McGirt. His fear-mongering and lies serve no one who lives in the State of Oklahoma.
If the Governor is content to keep playing chicken little, everybody else – the tribal nations, state legislators, city and community leaders and law enforcement – will continue to move forward to build a better tomorrow.
We have made much progress together. We are stronger because of it. And we are undeterred. The safety and security of our citizens and our friends and neighbors in the Reservation are far too important.
But it will truly take the leadership of a State Governor to fully implement McGirt for the benefit of everyone in Oklahoma. Kevin Stitt once again has shown that he is not that governor.
- Chief Hill
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