Stitt’s One Oklahoma Task Force releases final report

Written By: Meredith Johnson

(OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.) The One Oklahoma Task Force created by Governor Kevin Stitt released its final report on May 29. Among the nine recommendations put forth in the report is a legislative interim study to review relevant laws for updates, governmental reviews of the 2005 memoranda of understanding for compliance, and the adoption of data sharing agreements among state, local and tribal agencies.  

Read this story on Mvskoke Media here. 

The task force met five times throughout the spring without tribal representatives in attendance. Two seats on the 13-person panel were slated for representatives from the 39 Tribal Nations that reside in Oklahoma, none chose to participate. However, according to statements made during the meetings, tribal authorities were in contact and updated by certain individuals on the panel. 

The task force was created days after a dispute between Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse officers and Okmulgee County Jail Authority employees. Executive Order 2023-32 gave the panel the responsibility to advise state leadership on jurisdictional issues between state, local, and tribal authorities. The panel was responsible for submitting a report addressing what Governor Stitt outlined in the order as “the McGirt decision’s negative effects.” 

Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief David Hill made the following statement upon release of the final report, “We are encouraged by the Taskforce’s recommendations to cooperate and collaborate with tribes to identify and solve issues, while respecting tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction. That’s exactly what we have been asking for since day one, but Governor Stitt has refused. We hope the Governor will heed the Taskforce’s repudiation of his anti-tribe approach and begin to work with us. Our first priority has always been public safety and we remain ready and willing to work with any agency that shares that goal.”

To read the full One Oklahoma Task Force Final Report, go here.