Thread by @MuscogeeNation

Oklahoma Governor's Attack on Judicial Precedent Should Not Prevail

An open letter from Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief David Hill on the U.S. Supreme Court’s consideration today of McGirt challenges tinyurl.com/yc2pujz

Excerpts in this 🧵

#McGirt #SCOTUS

The time is long past due for Oklahoma Gov. Stitt to shut down his political campaign of obstruction and work with us to embrace a better future. This January, I hope the Supreme Court will take the opportunity to tell him so.

#McGirt #SCOTUS #Precedent #TribalSovereignty

Before the ink was dry on [McGirt], politicians began pressing the Supreme Court to reverse itself…

Stepping in now would damage the Court, condone bad behavior by the State, and rob Oklahomans of the opportunity for more safety and prosperity.

#McGirt #SCOTUS #Precedent

The U.S. Supreme Court’s McGirt v. Oklahoma decision affirming the existence of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation reservation is a landmark ruling that recognizes the sanctity and durability of U.S. treaties that assure tribal sovereignty.

#McGirt #SCOTUS #Precedent #TribalSovereignty

Much of federal Indian law is based on various Supreme Court rulings rather than statutes; adherence to precedent plays a far greater role in establishing stability in the legal framework applicable for tribal governments & the exercise of governmental authority on Tribal lands.

In affirming the existence of our Nation’s reservation, the Court’s [McGirt] decision created jurisdictional clarity that offers us a roadmap for collaboration with local officials to have more economic development, more police on the streets, & more courts to prosecute crimes.

We’ve worked with local officials and made significant strides toward creating this future.

Should the Supreme Court ignore precedent and overturn or modify this decision, all this progress will be lost at the expense of public safety in Oklahoma and the Court’s integrity.

The Supreme Court reversing or modifying its decision now would also reward extremely bad faith behavior by Oklahoma.

#McGirt #SCOTUS #Precedent #TribalSovereignty #OklahomaAttacks

In the year and a half since the Court’s ruling in McGirt, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has not held a single meaningful discussion with tribes to discuss ways we can work together to implement it.

#McGirt #SCOTUS #Precedent #TribalSovereignty #OklahomaAttacks

Instead, he and his allies have used inflammatory rhetoric, misdirection and overt obstruction tactics to convince the public that McGirt has caused “chaos.”

#McGirt #SCOTUS #Precedent #TribalSovereignty #OklahomaAttacks

McGirt hasn’t caused havoc, and the citizens of Oklahoma know it. A recent poll showed that a mere 23% of voters agreed with Gov. Stitt that McGirt was the most pressing issue facing the State.

#McGirt #SCOTUS #Precedent #TribalSovereignty #OklahomaAttacks

The citizens of Oklahoma aren’t buying the State’s contrived doomsday scenarios, and neither should the Supreme Court.

#McGirt #SCOTUS #Precedent #TribalSovereignty #OklahomaAttacks