Promised Land | May

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

Here is a look at some of the stories that have been published through the collaborative this May:

Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizes lawsuit over state income tax

Mvskoke Media | By Braden Harper

A Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council Quarterly Session was held in person April 30 at the Mound Building. 

Read the full story here.

Marshal Service looks to strengthen force with new hires

Cherokee Phoenix | By Chad Hunter

The Cherokee Nation’s law enforcement arm is looking to not only hire 20 new marshals, but also employ a second tier of officer to tackle lesser crimes in tribal communities.

Read the full story here. 

Stitt vetoes bill that would revoke state driver's license after tribal court conviction

The Oklahoman | By Molly Young

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoed a bill meant to streamline how the state works with tribal courts to enforce driving laws on Monday, a rejection that set off the latest debate in a long-simmering dispute over jurisdiction. 

Read the full story here.

Cherokee Nation: Governor’s claim of ‘abortion on-demand’ on Tribal lands is ‘irresponsible’ 

KFOR | Nick Camper 

Governor Kevin Stitt warned of Tribes setting up “abortion on-demand” clinics in an attempt to circumvent new Oklahoma laws banning abortion on Fox News Sunday morning while discussing abortion and the McGirt v. Oklahoma decision.

Read the full story here.

Lawmakers approve $350K for Stitt's legal counsel on McGirt decision, more tribal issues

The Oklahoman | By Hogan Gore

The Joint Committee on State-Tribal Relations approved a contract to pay $375 an hour for the legal services of Oklahoma attorney Ryan Leonard, who is advising the governor's office on McGirt and other tribal issues.

Read the full story here.

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

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 VNN.

Read more about the Promised Land project here.