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Anchor: Antonia Gonzales
The leader of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma says the U.S. Supreme Court has failed its duty to honor the nation’s promises, defied Congress’s statutes, and has disregarded tribal sovereignty.
Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. made the statement following the high court’s ruling Wednesday siding with Oklahoma, ruling the state can prosecute non-Native Americans when the victim is Native American for crimes on tribal land.
The 5-4 decision undercuts the court’s own 2020 landmark McGirt ruling, which reaffirmed reservation boundaries and held the state did not have jurisdiction.
Chief Hoskin expressed disappointment in Wednesday’s ruling, but said it does not diminish the tribe’s commitment to public safety, and that tribal and federal jurisdiction remain unchanged. He also affirmed unchanged reservation and tribal sovereignty.
U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough has officially recognized the Navajo Nation Veterans Administration as a tribal veteran service organization.
It meets the standards to be accredited under the VA Tribal Representation Expansion Program, which helps veterans with benefits and claims.
During a visit to Gallup, New Mexico, on Tuesday, McDonough recognized the tribe. His remarks were streamed live by the Navajo Nation president’s office.
“They are the first tribe to take up this new authority and I’m thrilled we can announce that today and as importantly put it into action that we are living up to our obligations.”
Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez called it a milestone achievement and a big step forward for Navajo veterans.
Five Navajo staff members are accredited to process claims. The accreditation allows employees to represent claims on behalf of veterans.
Before, Navajo veterans would have to travel to VA centers off the reservation. More than 80 claims have been filed since May. According to the tribe, there are about 10,000 Navajo veterans.
Navajo leaders say there is a need for a veterans outreach center and hospital on the reservation to provide services and health care.
Gallup, a reservation border town, has one of the closest Community-Based Outpatient Clinics. It was one of four clinics in the state facing closure.
The VA and members of New Mexico’s Congressional delegation announced this week all four clinics would remain open.
The California State Senate Public Safety Committee approved the “Feather Alert” bill Tuesday evening. The bill (AB 1314) was introduced by Native American State Rep. James Ramos (D-CA).
It would create a state Endangered Missing Advisory system for Native Americans. Creating an alert system was a recommendation from tribal leaders.
Several leaders joined Rep. Ramos and advocates before the committee hearing Tuesday at the state capitol in Sacramento.
Rep. Ramos talked about his bill as a tool to address missing and murdered Indigenous people.
“This bill brings further attention to end violence on tribal lands and across California. The rates of murdered and missing people in Native American communities is a shameful state and national tragedy that does not receive the scrutiny and attention it deserves. We are excited about this alert system, but even more excited about the growing momentum the momentum to tackle this issue not only from Indian Country by non-Native people – the California Highway Patrol, as well as the state legislature.”
Rep. Ramos says California has the greatest population of Native Americans in the nation and is among states with high rates of reported cases of missing and murdered Indigenous people. He says the alert system would help get the word out sooner when an individual is missing or endangered by asking the public for tips and leads as quickly as possible.
The bill is supported by a number of tribes, urban Indian health clinics and Native business councils.
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