Oklahoma is indian territory
I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say that Oklahoma is the Native American capital of the modern United States of America. But it was historically home to just as many/few Indians as other parts of Turtle Island. Six tribes lived in the area now known as Oklahoma - Apache, Arapaho, Comanche, Kiowa, Osage and Wichita. Then in 1830, President Andrew Jackson passed the Indian Removal Act which forced 5 additional tribes into what he declared “Indian Territory.” The Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole were relocated during the Trail of Tears.
Not surprisingly, The US government changed their mind about “Indian Territory” and wanted some of that land back. The Native American tribes that currently live in Oklahoma have been fighting for their land and their treaty-bound rights with conservative politicians and corporations throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
Since 2009, there has been a surge in earthquakes in the state, mostly due to an increase in fracking and oil production. Tribes have demonstrated and advocated for their Land Back to protect the integrity of the climate. In 2017, the Pawnee Nation filed a lawsuit against oil and gas producers and were able to stop some of the land leases but final decisions are still pending in these cases.
In 2020, a landmark decision was handed down by the Supreme Court which restored some of the land that was given and then taken from the tribes in the state. The McGirt decision effectively reaffirmed 19 million acres of Indian territory, honored their historical treaties and removed state lawmakers from any input into tribal dealings. It was a really big deal for Native Americans. But the state conservatives would not be dissuaded and filed more than 30 petitions after the McGirt decision. Eventually bringing another case to the Supreme Court in 2022. This time, the court ruled in favor of the state and affirmed that the state would have criminal jurisdiction over tribal lands. Congress can act to limit this power but obviously we haven’t seen Congress do much to ensure Native rights in this country.
Its not all doom and gloom in Oklahoma though I promise!
The First Americans Museum opened last year in Oklahoma City! It looks amazing!
Recently, five of the states’ most influential tribes endorsed the Democratic opponent of the current Governor Stitt, a Cherokee citizen, who has feuded with tribes during his first term. The organizing of these tribes is creating a surprisingly tight race and demonstrating how much power Indian Territory has in the state of Oklahoma.
And there has been a bit of a Native Renaissance in the Entertainment industry recently. Sterlin Harjo’s show, Reservation Dogs, is set and filmed in Oklahoma. Prey, while set in the Great Plains, is the first feature film to be fully dubbed in the Comanche language. Dark Winds is a new series created by Chickasaw Nation citizen Graham Roland.
Oklahoma will always be Indian Territory and the people there are demanding representation across multiple mediums. They are still here and it’s beautiful to see.