Release
TULSA — During a recent session held at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Tribes called for more formal consultation efforts from federal agencies, especially regarding agreements affecting Indian Education programs, and government-to-government dialogue from the Department of Homeland Security.
ITC leaders unanimously approved multiple resolutions, including a resolution regarding opposition to an ICE detention facility in Oklahoma.
The quarterly ITC event brings together leaders of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee and Seminole Nations to discuss issues important to the Five Tribes.
The ITC “Opposes the placement and operation of a proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Durant, Oklahoma due to its potential impacts on tribal citizens, public safety, and tribal sovereignty.”
The council also “Calls on the United States Department of Homeland Security to engage in formal government-to-government consultation with Tribal Nations regarding the siting and operation of Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities on or near tribal lands.”
“We are in a pivotal era where, across administrations and on a bipartisan basis, the importance of consulting with tribal nations is increasingly recognized. It is essential for leadership at all levels, including the federal government, to engage with tribal governments as sovereign nations, listening to our needs and working collaboratively to honor and uphold our rights. When leaders from the Intertribal Council of the Five Tribes meet, our discussions often focus on how to improve and encourage tribal engagement at all levels, and rightfully so. This often takes the form of proposing and passing resolutions that would support our rights as tribal nations.” – Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.
“It’s always impactful when we gather as Nations of the Inter-Tribal Council to share ideas, our successes, and pathways for us all to be collectively impactful moving forward, and I think we’ve done that once again this quarter. Our actions this week reflect our values and what we say we’re all about; which is advocating for the absolute best for our people and defending the vitality and sovereignty of our governments.” – Muscogee Nation Principal Chief David Hill
“It’s always a great time when the Five Tribes come together to collaborate and share ideas for each other to better our communities. Seminole Nation reaffirms our commitment to meaningful government-to-government consultation with our four sister tribes. We are working together to have our government partners understand the importance of recognizing tribal sovereignty and expertise, to ensure decisions are informed, equitable, and reflective of the interests of present and future generations of all tribal nations.” – Principal Chief of the Seminole Nation, Sena Yesslith
“We oppose the location of the proposed ICE holding facility near the Choctaw Nation headquarters in Durant. We are extremely concerned about the proposed facility’s close proximity to our day care, child education center and large employee base, which provides programs and services to our tribal members, including children and elders.” – Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Chief Gary Batton.