Supreme Court rules nearly half of Oklahoma still Native American territory

[JackLuis]

Holding US government to its treaty promises ‘for once,’ Supreme Court rules nearly half of Oklahoma still Native American territory

“The big news at the Supreme Court today will be Trump’s taxes,” said Cherokee writer Rebecca Nagle. “But for Indians in Oklahoma, we’ll be talking about today for decades.”

Indigenous leaders on Thursday hailed the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in McGirt vs. Oklahoma as a victory for tribal sovereignty for affirming that the U.S. government’s treaty with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation must still be recognized by Congress and that nearly half of what is known as the U.S. state of Oklahoma is actually Native American land.

In the 5-4 decision, Justice Neil Gorsuch sided with the liberal-leaning justices and wrote the majority opinion, ruling that since Congress has not stated otherwise, the land promised to tribes in the 19th century remains a reservation for the purposes of federal criminal law.

Not sure how this will shake out. Unfucking a century of Fuckery may be hard.

 

[Ziggins]

That site and many others reporting that don't have maps of the affected area. Just "eastern Oklahoma."

Meanwhile, many refugees from the drought states will be moving eastward and looking for anywhere with water, such as eastern Oklahoma.

 

[Tigersman]

You can find out what used to be called Indian Territory by searching Trail of Tears. It's what I used. I went to wiki version and they had maps along with a good explanation of how our government stole all lands designated Indian Territory. This whole mess can be laid at the feet of Andrew Jackson and Congress back then. All I can say is that the government has an huge mess.

 

[ishtat]

Holding US government to its treaty promises ‘for once,’ Supreme Court rules nearly half of Oklahoma still Native American territory[/SIZE][/B][/URL]

Pity they did not make this decision a couple of weeks ago. The area of tribal land decided by the court includes Tulsa. They could have sent a war party out after Big Chief Bone Spurs. Saved an awful lot of trouble methinks.

 

[Tigersman]

This decision could cause a big mess for elected US officials such as Oklahoma Senate Jim Inhofe for one. If this decision is upheld then no state law enforcement agency could enter Indian Territory without the Tribe's permission. No more state taxes, no more Tabacco and Alcohol regulations and no more DEA raids. All elected officials of any city, town or community would have to be approved by the Tribe or they simply may be replaced by the Tribal Council.

 

[JackLuis]

This decision could cause a big mess for elected US officials such as Oklahoma Senate Jim Inhofe for one. If this decision is upheld then no state law enforcement agency could enter Indian Territory without the Tribe's permission. No more state taxes, no more Tabacco and Alcohol regulations and no more DEA raids. All elected officials of any city, town or community would have to be approved by the Tribe or they simply may be replaced by the Tribal Council.

Well Congress did it. They gave the land to the Natives, very graciously. And now they reap the reward.