In a recent session at the Oklahoma House, Democrat and Choctaw Nation citizen Rep. Ronald Stewart introduced three bills related to tribal affairs. House Bill 1137 aims to amend a previous statute known as Ida’s Law, which requires the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to create a liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous women using federal funds, which were never secured. If passed, the bill would remove the grant requirements.
Another bill, House Bill 1118, seeks to protect Freedmen under Oklahoma law by holding tribes accountable for not providing fair and equal rights to Freedmen citizens. The Cherokee Nation is currently the only tribe to grant full recognition to Freedmen. Additionally, Rep. Stewart and Sen. Jo Anna Dossett introduced measures, House Bill 1145 and Senate Bill 361, to protect alternative Indigenous healthcare practices and define the care these practitioners can provide.
On the Republican side, Sen. Jack Stewart proposed Senate Bill 385 to increase the punishment for filing ownership rights over land belonging to the Five Tribes and Osage Nation without proof of claim. The bill would make the offense a misdemeanor with a $500 fine and up to a 90-day imprisonment.
These bills highlight ongoing efforts in Oklahoma to address tribal affairs and provide protection for Indigenous communities. The report was produced by the Oklahoma Public Media Exchange, showcasing collaborative journalism efforts. Readers interested in supporting this work can donate via the provided link.
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