The Wrap: Oklahoma governor continues to clash with tribes
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Over the weekend Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, Cherokee Nation, warned tribal nations not to create abortion safe havens.
During a taping of “Fox News Sunday” Stitt said that he is monitoring the situation if Roe v. Wade is overturned. On May 2, the state passed into law a total ban on abortions after six weeks. That law would go into effect immediately if Roe v. Wade is overturned.
Stitt brought up the abortion scenario while he was discussing a 2020 Supeme Court ruling, McGirt v. Oklahoma, that decision affirmed tribal sovereignty on criminal law.
Cherokee nation principal chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. responded to Stitt, saying in part:
“Speculating on what tribes should do based on a leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft decision is irresponsible. Just as irresponsible is the Governor of Oklahoma and his disguised media campaign which is really meant to attack tribes and our sovereignty.”
Hoskin says his nation is currently focused on making sure that McGirt is carried out fairly, including the expansion of the tribes’ criminal justice system to protect citizens living within its territory. — ICT Newscast with Aliyah Chavez
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Citizens of the Oneida Indian Nation are en route to Dresden, Germany to participate in the biggest lacrosse event in Europe, the 2022 Germany Lacrosse Convention. The event is taking place May 20-22.
One of the Oneida citizens going and participating in the opening ceremony is Ron Patterson, a former lacrosse player and coach. He will gift the mayor of Dresden with “an original, hand-carved lacrosse stick to commemorate the friendship and partnership between the Oneida Indian Nation and the nation of Germany,” according to a press release from the tribe.
Being invited to partake in the event is an attempt to grow the game of lacrosse globally and Oneida Indian Nation representative Ray Halbritter said it is an honor to have been invited.
“This partnership with the German Lacrosse Association to develop a three-day convention is a wonderful opportunity to shine a light on the growth and popularity of the game of lacrosse – the Creator’s game,” Halbritter said in the press release. “As the originators of the sport, the Haudenosaunee people take great pride in its development and preservation for all future generations. We are honored to be asked to participate in this groundbreaking event.”
More information on the event can be found here.
Related: Haudenosaunee Nationals’ quest for Olympic glory continues
A former Oklahoma death row inmate and tribal citizen whose case led to a landmark ruling on tribal sovereignty was sentenced May 11 to life in prison by a federal judge.
Patrick Murphy, 53, a citizen of the Muscogee Nation, was originally sentenced to die in McIntosh County for the 1999 killing of George Jacobs. But his attorneys challenged his murder conviction, arguing the state of Oklahoma didn’t have jurisdiction to prosecute him because he is a member of a federally recognized tribe and Congress had never disestablished the Muscogee reservation where the killing occurred.
A federal appeals court ultimately vacated his conviction, and the state appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. While his case was pending there, the court issued its landmark ruling in a similar case with a different defendant, Jimcy McGirt, which affirmed the federal appeals court ruling.
As a result, Murphy was retried in federal court and convicted in August 2021 of second-degree murder in Indian Country, murder in Indian Country in perpetration of kidnapping, and kidnapping resulting in death. The non-paroleable life sentences on each count were ordered to run concurrently. — Associated Press
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On Tuesday's ICT Newscast, a financial coach breaks down money management. Plus, searching for footprints with Indigenous archeologists and a Native student at ASU is able to afford tuition
WATCH:
Former Miss Alaska Alyssa London, Tlingit, was announced as a new contributor for NBC News and MSNBC, lending her take on issues and policies that impact Indigenous communities.
She’s the creator and host of the FNX series called Culture Story, which aims to highlight the history and stories of tribes and tribal members.
London talks about the importance of embracing mixed-race identity, the topic of her children's book "Journey of the Freckled Indian". ICT profiled London’s children’s book “Journey of the Freckled Indian” last year on our website and on the ICT Newscast. ICT Producer and national correspondent Carina Dominguez featured this story on the June 2, 2021 newscast.
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