Muscogee Nation Disagrees With Governor’s Interpretation Of SCOTUS Ruling

The Muscogee Nation says, although they disagree with Governor Stitt's interpretation of the Supreme Court's ruling on tribal jurisdiction, they will continue to work in good faith towards a better Oklahoma.

Tuesday, July 6th 2021, 6:21 pm

By: Jonathan Cooper

The Muscogee Nation said it disagrees with Governor Kevin Stitt's interpretation of the Supreme Court's ruling on tribal jurisdiction.

This comes after News on 6 broke the story last week that the Governor is considering suing the federal government in order to get further clarification on McGirt.

"It really is going to have to be litigated because we have a totally different opinion in the state of Oklahoma," said the Governor on a virtual call last week.

In a virtual meeting with Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, Governor Kevin Stitt expressed his concerns that the federal government is misunderstanding the ruling by taking mining jurisdictions away from the state, something he also told News on 6 on a phone call last week.

"My concern is McGirt was limited to criminal only,” said Stitt. “And so, this is the first example of the Biden administration, a federal agency coming in and expanding this to civil regulations."

The Supreme Court ruling said, in part, that reservations in eastern Oklahoma were never disestablished.

But the governor said the ruling only applies to criminal cases and the Major Crimes Act, which he said is reaffirmed in Justice Neil Gorsuch's opinion on page 39. Stitt worries mining jurisdiction is just the start and taxation, zoning and other civil matters could be taken away from the state.

"They're diminishing our state and the sovereignty of the state of Oklahoma and the way we have operated for 114 years," said Stitt.

On Tuesday, the Muscogee Nation issued their response.

"The Muscogee Nation disagrees with the Governor's interpretation of the Supreme Court decision; however, we will still explore every avenue available to work in good faith and partnership towards a better Oklahoma. It is the position of the Muscogee Nation that we are more efficient when we partner rather than expend excessive time and resources fighting tribal sovereignty. Our greatest potential will only be realized when all sovereigns are working together and in collaboration, not by seeking ways to weaken our jurisdiction or return to a broken system of the past."