TULSA, Okla. — During a recent session held at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Tribes called for more formal consultation efforts from federal agencies, especially regarding agreements affecting Indian Education programs, and government-to-government dialogue from the Department of Homeland Security.
ITC leaders unanimously approved multiple resolutions, including a resolution regarding opposition to an ICE detention facility in Oklahoma, as well as two resolutions supporting Haskell Indian Nations University for its high-quality and culturally grounded education for Native students.
The quarterly ITC event brings together leaders of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee and Seminole Nations to discuss issues important to the Five Tribes.
“We are in a pivotal era where, across administrations and on a bipartisan basis, the importance of consulting with tribal nations is increasingly recognized. It is essential for leadership at all levels, including the federal government, to engage with tribal governments as sovereign nations, listening to our needs and working collaboratively to honor and uphold our rights,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “When leaders from the Intertribal Council of the Five Tribes meet, our discussions often focus on how to improve and encourage tribal engagement at all levels, and rightfully so. This often takes the form of proposing and passing resolutions that would support our rights as tribal nations.”
The ITC approved six resolutions in total, including the following measures:
- Pursue representation on leadership council for U.S. Department of Justice:
Supports the nomination of Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. to serve on the U.S. Department of Justice Tribal Nations Leadership Council representing the Eastern Oklahoma Region.
- Demand tribal consultation for agreements affecting Indian Education programs:
Calls for formal tribal consultation regarding the Interagency Agreement between the United States Departments of the Interior and Education affecting federal Indian Education programs.
- Call on Congress to pass the Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act:
Supports the prompt passing of the “Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act” to ensure Haskell’s autonomy and capacity to provide a high-quality and culturally grounded education for Native Students.
- Recommend alternate for Haskell Indian Nations University National Board of Regents:
Supports the nomination of Jennifer Pigeon for Eastern Oklahoma Region alternate to the Haskell Indian Nations University National Board of Regents.
- Oppose the placement and operation of an ICE detention facility in Durant:
Opposes the placement and operation of a proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Durant, Oklahoma due to its potential impacts on tribal citizens, public safety, and tribal sovereignty.
- Call for government-to-government consultation on ICE detention facility locations:
Calls on the United States Department of Homeland Security to engage in formal government-to-government consultation with Tribal Nations regarding the siting and operation of Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities on or near tribal lands.
Additional tribal leader quotes:
“Across our Nations, we see a consistent pattern of progress through educating and supporting our youth, supporting and encouraging strong families, improving health care systems, advancing our economies and that of the State, and, perhaps most importantly, continuing to defend our rights and the sovereignty of our tribes.” – Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby
"It's always impactful when we gather as Nations of the Inter-Tribal Council to share ideas, our successes, and pathways for us all to be collectively impactful moving forward, and I think we've done that once again this quarter. Our actions this week reflect our values and what we say we're all about; which is advocating for the absolute best for our people and defending the vitality and sovereignty of our governments." – Muscogee Nation Principal Chief David Hill
"It's always a great time when the Five Tribes come together to collaborate and share ideas for each other to better our communities. Seminole Nation reaffirms our commitment to meaningful government-to-government consultation with our four sister tribes. We are working together to have our government partners understand the importance of recognizing tribal sovereignty and expertise, to ensure decisions are informed, equitable, and reflective of the interests of present and future generations of all tribal nations." – Principal Chief of the Seminole Nation, Sena Yesslith
“We oppose the location of the proposed ICE holding facility near the Choctaw Nation headquarters in Durant. We are extremely concerned about the proposed facility’s close proximity to our day care, child education center and large employee base, which provides programs and services to our tribal members, including children and elders.” – Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Chief Gary Batton.