On January 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Oklahoma tribes blasted remarks by Governor Kevin Stitt they perceived as opposing tribal sovereignty.
Speaking at the Oklahoma History Center, Stitt said King would be “disgusted” by the U.S. Supreme Court’s McGirt decision, which essentially determined states have no jurisdiction to prosecute American Indians for crimes committed on reservations. Tribes believe their citizens’ legal rights are more fairly represented and protected in tribal or federal court.
Stitt, a member of the Cherokee Nation, said, “I believe that freedom fighters like Dr. King would be astounded, maybe even disgusted by the McGirt ruling, because the ruling created two sets of rules for Oklahomans, based on their race. In eastern Oklahoma right now, there is not equal protection under the law.
“King believed, as I do, that every citizen of this nation is granted the same rights and opportunities under our constitution.”
In response, the Muscogee Nation tweeted, “Let’s be clear, Governor Stitt, you are no Martin Luther King Jr. He stood for truth and justice. Your pouting and dishonest fear-mongering about the effect of tribal sovereignty exhibit neither.”
Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. of the Cherokee Nation added, “You can’t make this stuff up. I’m certain Dr. King would not join Governor Stitt in his effort to destroy the reservations of Indian nations. In any case, this day should be about unity and joining together to shine a light on darkness.”
On another front in the battle against Stitt, United for Oklahoma, a public education initiative supported by a coalition of tribes, is running ads about tribes’ positive impact on the lives of all Oklahomans. The campaign began two years ago in response to Stitt’s attempt to revamp gaming compacts. Now, in light of the McGirt ruling, Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Chairman Matthew Morgan said, “When tribes looked around and looked at the messaging that they heard, they thought that their voice was not being amplified enough,” so the ad campaign has continued.
Morgan said United for Oklahoma’s next target will be voter registration. The largest tribes supported Stitt in 2018 but now Hoskin, Choctaw Chief Gary Batton and other leaders strongly oppose him. At a recent meeting of the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes, Hoskin said, “No matter who’s elected, we can certainly do better than Governor Stitt.”
