Choctaw Nation Special Report: Response to Oklahoma Attorney General’s letter

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma’s Chief Gary Batton issued the following statement in response to a letter from Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter proposing federal legislation.

“We oppose Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter’s proposal for congressional action following the Supreme Court’s ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma, because it is premature and may prove to be unneeded. We welcome, however, his proposal for additional dialogue. Before we discuss legislation at the national level, we must first lay the foundation for a future framework. The Five Tribes are already doing this through our individual sovereignty commissions, dialogue with elected officials and state agencies, and in partnership with the federal government. We are making substantial progress. We should take the necessary time to reason together through these issues and avoid repeating past mistakes in federal legislation regarding Indian Country,” said Chief Gary Batton.