A group of Cherokee freedmen descendants gathered June 4 to protest. They objected to both the delay in getting their tribal citizenship in an American Indian tribe and also that tribe’s leader being named as Red Earth Ambassador of the year. DESCENDANTS OF FREED SLAVES NARROW AGENDA CHAMPION POSITION The protest capped off the 22nd […]
S.E. Ruckman
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Officials meet with Indian leaders to discuss achievements, problems
Oklahoma, home to 37 federally recognized American Indian tribes, is often close to the issues of Indian America that nurture a special brand of sovereignty, one with potential impact for all citizens. INFLUENTIAL ADVOCATES CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS WATER RIGHTS For that reason, the Oklahoma Supreme Court annually looks to the convergence of tribal and mainstream with […]
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A new bill could ease way for tribes to sponsor charter schools
A measure cruised ahead that would pave the way for Oklahoma Indian tribes to sponsor charter schools in their districts. Senate Bill 586 was approved by the Oklahoma House by a vote of 78-18 on April 15 and went back to the Senate for further amendments, but is expected to cross the governor’s desk for […]
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Oklahoma City Indian Clinic promotes GetSET
Contrary to popular belief, fry bread is not a traditional food for American Indians. Pulled hot from vat of hot oil and usually paired with some type of soup or as part of a taco, it has a firm place in Indian Country, particularly among Oklahoma’s 37 tribes. Research shows that it could have started […]
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The Cheyenne and Arapaho Book Project hopes to introduce history
I want all Indians and white men to read and learn how the Indians lived and thought in the olden time and may it bring holy-good upon the younger Indians to know of their fathers. “Hiamovi, Cheyenne With thousands of American Indian children in Oklahoma public schools, the ground is ripe to sow the seeds […]
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American Indians fighting HIV/AIDS face two obstacles
eople asking people in their church to come and then asking people at their work or school, to attend,” said Rachel Crawford, who worked as AAIP’s HIV/AIDS core capacity trainer. “We offered them gifts to lure them in.” HOMESPUN COALITIONSSince Oklahoma City and Tulsa are the two most populated areas in the state for HIV/AIDS […]
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Federal gaming regulators make surprise announcement
Federal gaming regulators surprised a gaming panel recently by announcing they will abandon some technical proposed regulation changes to Class II gaming machines. The panel discussion was one of the last scheduled at the 21st annual Sovereignty Symposium in the Skirvin Hilton Hotel. Phil Hogen, National Indian Gaming Commission chair, said to a room of […]
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Casinos take leap from smoky bingo hall days
n Catoosa, an avid golfer can send his or her spouse off to the machines or lunch while hitting the links at Cherokee Hills golf course, adjacent to the casino. ENTERTAINING CASINOSAnother strategy is to offer entertainment like sporting events and concerts that also bring in customers who might not otherwise come into a casino, […]
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D.C. justices hear from descendants of freed slaves, Cherokee Nation
WASHINGTON, D.C. ” A U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals hearing marked the next step in a fight between the descendants of freed slaves and the Cherokee Nation over tribal citizenship. During the May 6 hearing, a three-member panel of judges fired questions involving tribal sovereign immunity to both sides. Federal judges Merrick B. Garland, Thomas […]
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Cherokee citizenship debate brings on the blues
A Cherokee Nation “blue card” allows a carrier citizenship in the state’s largest tribe. But the nondescript card, simply worded, has brought with it a complex controversy that has triggered congressional action, rallied tribal members and riveted national attention. The Cherokee Nation is knee-deep in a membership struggle that whispers of civil rights, while remaining […]