Oklahoma Tribes Seek New Start With Governor-Elect Mazzei After Eight Years of Conflict
Chief executives from the Cherokee and Muscogee nations say they are ready to work with the incoming governor to resolve long-standing disputes over sovereignty and jurisdiction.
By Lucas Navarro ·
More than four million Oklahomans will soon live under a new administration, and tribal leaders say the state's fractured relationship with its indigenous nations may finally end. The incoming governor, Mike Mazzei, takes office in January, marking the conclusion of an eight-year tenure by outgoing Republican Governor Kevin Stitt that was defined by frequent legal battles and political friction.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. issued a statement on Tuesday night asserting that the tribe is prepared to collaborate with Mazzei. Hoskin described the previous era as the most divisive period in the history of state-tribal relations in Oklahoma. He stated, "There is no question that we can close the chapter on the most absurdly divisive period in the entire history of state tribal relations in Oklahoma. That will come to an end." Hoskin added that this transition will occur as the new term begins.
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief David Hill echoed this sentiment on Facebook on Tuesday. Hill expressed a desire to begin the next four years with a fresh start, saying, "Let's just start off with a clean slate and see what we can do in the next four years." Both Hoskin and Hill had spent much of Stitt's time in office clashing with the governor in courtrooms over the scope of tribal sovereignty.
The core of the dispute has centered on the 2020 Supreme Court ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma. That decision reaffirmed that roughly half of the state remains reservation land. Stitt argued this created a discriminatory system with different laws for tribal and non-tribal residents. Hill countered that tribal citizenship is a political classification, not a racial one, and therefore the split jurisdiction is not inherently discriminatory.
Tribal nations generally opposed Stitt during his time in office. They united against his positions on hunting and fishing licenses, gaming compacts, and other regulatory matters. The tribes also supported Stitt's political opponents in elections. In contrast, Mazzei praised tribal nations as the "crown jewel" of Oklahoma during his campaign. Reports indicate that Chief Hoskin, Muscogee Chief David Hill, Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton, and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians Chief Jeff Wacoche met with Mazzei over the past several months.
At a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Mazzei outlined his approach to the state's complex legal and political environment. He said he hopes to work with tribal nations to build infrastructure across the state. However, he acknowledged that the two sides face "complex issues" that require negotiation.
"My job as governor is to be a tough but fair negotiator for the 4-million-plus people of Oklahoma," Mazzei said. "So we can have some respectful dialogue but work through some of these complex issues. And at the end of the day, we all want the same thing."
