Promised Land | September

(OKLAHOMA) These stories are part of the Oklahoma Media Center’s Promised Land collaborative effort, which shows how the landmark McGirt v. Oklahoma decision will affect both tribal and non-Indigenous residents in the state.

Here is a look at some of the stories that have been published thus far in September. 

Citizens mandate freedom of press

Mvskoke Media | By Liz Gray

Muscogee (Creek) voters made history during the Muscogee (Creek) Nation 2021 Primary Election. Unofficial results came in the evening of Sept. 18 for the MCN National Council Seat B and ballot question for an amendment in the constitution guaranteeing freedom of press.

Link to full story. 

O'Connor files new petitions asking high court to reverse McGirt

Oklahoman | By Chris Casteel 

Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor filed two new petitions with the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday seeking the reversal of last year’s decision reaffirming the Muscogee reservation, or at least a ruling that Oklahoma still has jurisdiction over some crimes involving Native Americans in Indian Country. 

Link to full story. 

Search for Cherokee Nation citizen Aubrey Dameron continues 2 years later

Cherokee Phoenix | By Stacie Boston

The search for Cherokee Nation citizen Aubrey Dameron continues more than 2-1/2 years after her reported disappearance on March 9, 2019. While stories surround Dameron’s disappearance, her aunt, Pam Smith, and uncle, Christian Fencer, keep searching. 

Link to full story.

Landowners: State mines agency failed to disclose potential conflict of interest 

Oklahoma Watch | By Paul Monies

A group of landowners and residents who have opposed nearby aggregate mines in south central Oklahoma are asking the state Department of Mines to redo several permits where the agency didn’t disclose a hearing officer and an attorney for the mining companies used to be married.  

Link to full story. 

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Talks Tribe Goals In Annual State Of The Nation Address 

Griffin Communications | By Jonathan Cooper 

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. is fighting challenges against the Supreme Court's ruling on tribal jurisdiction. 

"We will oppose any attempt to undermine our jurisdiction anywhere across our reservation,” said Hoskin. 

Link to full story. 

“Promised Land” is a project of the Local Media Foundation with support from the Inasmuch Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation and the Democracy Fund. 

The print, digital and broadcast media partners include: CNHI Oklahoma, Cherokee Phoenix, Curbside Chronicle, The Frontier, Griffin Communications, KFOR, KGOU, KOSU, The Lawton Constitution, Moore Monthly, Mvskoke Media, the Native American Journalists Association, NonDoc, The O’Colly, Oklahoma City Free Press, The Oklahoma Eagle, Oklahoma Gazette, The Oklahoman, Oklahoma Watch, Osage News, StateImpact Oklahoma, Tulsa World, Telemundo Oklahoma, University of Oklahoma Student Media and Verified News Network.

Read more about the Promised Land project here.