Gov. Stitt, Choctaw Nation finalize 10-year motor vehicle compact

GOVERNOR STITT FINALIZES MOTOR VEHICLE COMPACT

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 8, 2024) - Governor Stitt announced the finalization of a motor vehicle compact with the Choctaw Nation. 

"I am happy to announce that we have finalized a 10-year car tag compact with the Choctaw Nation," said Gov. Stitt. "This is our 12th compact finalized with tribal governments since the end of 2023. I am grateful to the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations for their ongoing partnership and willingness to come to an agreement on car tag compacts. These compacts continue the existing commitment to transparency and public safety. 

State Rep. Olsen: Issues with SB26X and two-tiered system of unequal justice

Issues with SB26X

By Rep. Jim Olsen

The Legislature recently voted to overturn the governor's veto of Senate Bill 26X, which effectively gives another year for the tribal compacts to be negotiated.

It would be easy to look at this issue as pretty simple. The tribes just want another year to negotiate the compacts. Just give them another year, right? What's the big deal?

Hasn't the Cherokee Nation been very generous to our area, helping with schools, bridges, roads and numerous other community projects? Absolutely yes, to the tune of tens of millions of dollars!

Doesn't it behoove us to seek collaboration with the various tribal nations for the benefit of us all? Of course it does!

However, I have found this issue to be a little more complicated than I had at first realized, as there are several legal or constitutional issues with voting for this veto override.

There is a good chance that the Oklahoma Supreme Court will declare this bill to be unconstitutional.

First, we passed it during a special session, meaning that any bill heard during the special session must be related to the topic originally referenced in the call, as required by our state constitution. The call of the special session was related to the Fiscal Year 2024 state budget.  The argument for the call being related to the compacts is that the outcome of the vote on the bill could have a fiscal impact. However, almost every bill we vote on has some sort of fiscal impact. Therefore, if fiscal impact means that it is germane, then germaneness as a requirement for a bill to be included in a call for special session loses any meaning whatsoever.  I believe addressing the compacts during a special session for the budget is a stretch at best.

Secondly, the constitution specifically designates these negotiations with tribal nations to the governor. The Legislature affirmed this in 2014 when we put into statute that the governor is responsible for conducting these negotiations.

In the immediate sense, it is possible for the Legislature to change the statute. However, there is a proper way to change existing laws, rather than simply ignoring it for the sake of another law.

If we want to change statute, we must either amend the existing statute or add the statement "notwithstanding other provisions of law," neither of which was carried out prior to the passage of SB26X.

The issue that overshadows everything else is that the Oklahoma Constitution assigns the responsibility of negotiations with the tribes to the governor, not the Legislature, the Judiciary branch or any other part of our state government.

Every two years since I joined the House in 2018, I have affirmed an oath to support and defend the U.S. Constitution and the Oklahoma Constitution. If I knowingly defy our state constitution, I have violated my oath of office, and this is something I cannot and will not do.

In addition to the direct constitutional issues, there are other issues with the compact agreements that the tribes are bringing forth.

They argue that the phrase "Indian country" should be used in these compacts. What's the problem with that? The issue is that this brings us closer to a two-tiered system of law in Oklahoma. This has been expressly advocated in some of the legal briefs from the tribes in various court cases and is expressed in the following court cases:

Alicia Stroble, a member of the Muskogee (Creek) Nation who lives in Okmulgee, argues that she is exempt from Oklahoma state taxes because she is a tribal member living in Indian Country.

Justin Hooper, a member of the Choctaw Nation, argues that he is exempt from paying a $150 speeding ticket within the City of Tulsa because he is a tribal member.

We've also seen that under the new "plate pay" system by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, tribal members with unregistered tribal tags are not in the OTA's system and thus cannot be charged for using turnpikes. One vehicle with a Cherokee Nation tag has reportedly failed to pay $670 in tolls since May 15. Should they be exempt because of their tribal affiliation?

If things keep going in this direction, the implications of this two-tiered system would eventually be even more extensive. We must maintain equal justice in Oklahoma.

Rep. Jim Olsen represents District 2 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes portions of Seqouyah County.

Dark Money: something stinks in House District 21 runoff

There's some funny business going on in the House District 21 runoff down in Bryan and Marshall counties. A dark money group operated by the Choctaw Nation is funneling huge amounts of last-minute money -- all on behalf of an individual who is not on the ballot. It appears that this may be an attempt to circumvent ethics rules on behalf of one of the runoff candidates.

AG O'Connor celebrates Supreme Court limitation of 'McGirt'

State of Oklahoma Celebrates Supreme Court Limitation of McGirt

OKLAHOMA CITY - “McGirt is not retroactive. This is a major victory for the State of Oklahoma,” said Attorney General John O’Connor. 

The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals unanimously made that decision in Parish v. Oklahoma. Today, the United States Supreme Court refused to consider an appeal of that decision by Parish. 

Clifton Parish was convicted of second-degree murder in the 2010 beating and shooting death of Robert Strickland in Hugo, Oklahoma. Parish sought to have the United States Supreme Court throw out his conviction, arguing that McGirt is retroactive.

His conviction is one of many convictions that will now stand, with the Supreme Court’s decision announced today.

“This is an important victory for the safety of victims, families of victims, and the people of Oklahoma,” said Attorney General O’Connor. “Victims and their families will not be required to relive their tragic experiences by testifying in new trials, or worse, seeing the perpetrators out in society."

“We are hopeful that this is the first step in having the McGirt decision overturned or clarified and limited. Even without retroactive application, McGirt has opened prison doors and let violent criminals go free," said General O'Connor. 

Gov. Stitt, Choctaw Nation agree to one-year extension of hunting and fishing compact

GOVERNOR STITT AGREES TO ONE-YEAR EXTENSION WITH CHOCTAW NATION ON HUNTING AND FISHING COMPACT 

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 8, 2020) – Governor Kevin Stitt announced today that the State of Oklahoma has agreed to a one-year extension with the Choctaw Nation on the hunting and fishing compact that was set to expire on Dec. 31, 2020. 

“I appreciate the Choctaw Nation working with my office and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation on a one-year hunting and fishing compact extension,” said Gov. Stitt. “This compact continues a partnership between the State of Oklahoma and the Choctaw Nation to capture federal funds for conservation efforts across our state while promoting hunting and fishing opportunities for citizens of the Choctaw Nation.” 

Under the compact, the Choctaw Nation will purchase compact licenses for its Oklahoma residents between the ages of 16 and 64 years old. Each compact license encompasses regulatory requirements and certain rights including those of an annual Oklahoma hunting license and an annual Oklahoma fishing license.  

Oklahoma, state's largest tribes release joint statement on landmark SCOTUS decision

State, Muscogee (Creek), Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Seminole Nations Release Joint Statement in Response to SCOTUS Decision in McGirt Case

OKLAHOMA CITY – The State of Oklahoma, Muscogee (Creek), Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Seminole Nations released the following joint statement today following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the McGirt v. Oklahoma case. 

The State, the Muscogee (Creek), Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Seminole Nations have made substantial progress toward an agreement to present to Congress and the U.S. Department of Justice addressing and resolving any significant jurisdictional issues raised by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma.

Cherokee, Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations file Federal Lawsuit to end Compact Renewal Dispute

Cherokee, Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations file Federal Lawsuit to end Compact Renewal Dispute

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 31, 2019) – The Cherokee, Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations filed a Federal lawsuit today to bring an end to the uncertainty Oklahoma Governor J. Kevin Stitt has attempted to cast over Tribal gaming operations. The suit names Governor Stitt in his official capacity and seeks a judicial declaration that the gaming compacts renew in accord with their express terms, effective January 1, 2020. The Nations provided a copy of the Federal complaint to Governor Stitt, along with a letter explaining their reasons for filing it. Counsel for the Nations, former United States Circuit Judge Robert Henry, provided a companion letter and copy of the complaint to Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter.

While revenue-share rates have generated significant public interest, the Nations’ lawsuit does not address those matters. It instead calls for the court to declare the legal effect of the compact’s Part 15.B., which states—

This Compact shall have a term which will expire on January 1, 2020, and at that time, if organization licensees or others are authorized to conduct electronic gaming in any form other than pari-mutuel wagering on live horse racing pursuant to any governmental action of the state or court order following the effective date of this Compact, the Compact shall automatically renew for successive additional fifteen-year terms.

(Emphasis added.) As the Nations emphasized in their letter to Governor Stitt, “the dispute—like the lawsuit—is about renewal, not rates.”

The Nations have publicly offered statements and analyses that support their position on renewal, including a legal opinion from former Solicitor General of the United States Seth Waxman that concluded: 

The renewal provision in the Tribes’ gaming compacts with Oklahoma is not ambiguous. Under that provision’s plain language, the compacts will renew automatically when they expire on January 1, because the provision’s sole condition precedent for automatic renewal is unquestionably satisfied. Each of the contrary arguments I have seen to date simply cannot be squared with fundamental principles of contract interpretation.

Without offering support or analysis for his position, Governor Stitt has repeatedly and publicly rejected renewal, instead choosing to criticize Tribes for not working on a new compact with him and insisting the current compacts terminate and falsely declaring Tribal gaming unlawful in 2020.

Regarding the Nations’ lawsuit, Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby said, “We have a solemn duty to protect the sovereign rights of our Tribal Nations as well as the interests of our citizens. While we prefer negotiation to litigation, the Federal court is now the only reasonable alternative to bring legal certainty to this issue. We remain hopeful we will continue to have a productive and mutually beneficial relationship with the State of Oklahoma once we have resolved this issue.”

Choctaw Nation Chief Batton made the following statement.

“The Governor’s stance on the gaming compact has created uncertainty and has been seen as a threat to our employees and our business partners. We see this legal action as the most viable option to restore the clarity and stability the Tribes and Oklahoma both deserve by obtaining a resolution that our compact does automatically renew. As elected leaders, it is our responsibility to uphold the compact, honor the will of the Oklahomans who approved State Question 712 and the Federal law that defines our relationship with the State on these matters.”

Cherokee Nation Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. made the following statement.

"The Cherokee Nation is committed to being a good partner in our community and with the State of Oklahoma as we have done across two centuries and will continue to do as a peaceful, sovereign nation. Governor Stitt has made comments about “uncertainty that exists” regarding Class III gaming after January 1, threats to our casino vendors and their livelihoods and demands for redundant audits. We have little choice but to ask a Federal judge to confirm the compact’s automatic renewal on Jan. 1.”

While the Seminole Nation was not a party to the lawsuit on filing, Chief Greg Chilcoat said Governor Stitt’s public position had triggered concerns among vendors and others who work with Oklahoma Tribal governments, causing some to worry about instability in the State’s economy. “Rather than respectfully engage with the Tribes and seek an amicable resolution, Governor Stitt has continued to insist on our compact’s termination,” Chief Chilcoat said. “While his position is completely at odds with our compact’s language, he has succeeded in causing uncertainty that has an economic consequence. His inconsistent approach has been unfortunate and unnecessary.”

Muscogee (Creek) Nation Chief James Floyd made the following statement. “The Muscogee (Creek) Nation stands united with our fellow Nations and supports the legal action taken by these three Tribes today. These efforts are necessary to bring about a swift resolution to the question posed by Governor Stitt.”

Matthew L. Morgan, chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, made the following statement:

“The Tribes remain firmly united on the automatic renewal of the compacts. We have communicated our position to Governor Stitt on numerous occasions in hopes of finding a practical path forward benefitting both the State and Tribes. That said, as leaders of sovereign nations, the Tribal leaders must honor the compacts and will continue to do so on January 1, 2020, as they’ve done the past 15 years. Tribal leaders have the right as well as the responsibility to protect their citizens. Tribal leaders applaud the action taken today by the Cherokee, Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations to seek certainty on the matter of automatic renew through the Federal court.”

State extends hunting and fishing compacts with Cherokee and Choctaw nations

GOVERNOR SIGNS 1-YEAR EXTENSION WITH CHOCTAW NATION ON HUNTING, FISHING COMPACT

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (December 31, 2019) – Governor Kevin Stitt announced today that the State of Oklahoma has signed a one-year extension with Choctaw Nation on the hunting and fishing compact that was set to expire on Dec. 31, 2019. Earlier today, the governor announced a similar extension with the Cherokee Nation.

“This compact extends a partnership between the state of Oklahoma and the Choctaw Nation to capture federal funds for conservation efforts across our great state while promoting hunting and fishing opportunities for members of the Choctaw Nation that are also Oklahoma residents,” said Gov. Kevin Stitt.

The compact gives statewide hunting and fishing rights to all Choctaw Nation citizens who are also Oklahoma residents. Under the compact, the Choctaw Nation must purchase and issue a minimum of 50,000 compact licenses to its Oklahoma residents between the ages of 16 and 65 years old at a fee of $2 a license. Each compact license encompasses the rights and regulatory requirements of an annual Oklahoma hunting license, an annual Oklahoma fishing license, and additional privileges.

The compacts between the State and the Choctaw Nation first went into effect on January 1, 2017, under the Fallin administration. The original compact included a termination date of Dec. 31, 2019.

GOVERNOR AGREES TO 1-YEAR EXTENSION WITH CHEROKEE NATION ON HUNTING, FISHING COMPACT

Governor Kevin Stitt announced today that the State of Oklahoma has agreed to a one-year extension with Cherokee Nation on the hunting and fishing compact that was set to expire on Dec. 31, 2019.

“I appreciate the Cherokee Nation working in good faith with my office and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation on a one-year Hunting and Fishing compact extension,” said Gov. Stitt. “This compact creates a partnership between the state of Oklahoma and the Cherokee Nation to capture federal funds for conservation efforts across our great state while promoting hunting and fishing opportunities for members of the Cherokee Nation that are also Oklahoma residents.”

The compact gives statewide hunting and fishing rights to all Cherokee Nation citizens who are also Oklahoma residents. Under the compact, the Cherokee Nation must purchase and issue a minimum of 150,000 compact licenses to its Oklahoma residents between the ages of 16 and 65 years old at a fee of $2 a license. Each compact license encompasses the rights and regulatory requirements of an annual Oklahoma hunting license, an annual Oklahoma fishing license, and a single deer license and a single turkey license per calendar year.

The compact between the State and Cherokee Nation first went into effect on January 1, 2016 under the Fallin administration. The original compact included a termination date of Dec. 31, 2018, and was given a one-year extension by the previous administration.

The Stitt administration has also been in discussions with the Choctaw Nation about extending for one year the Nation’s similar hunting and fishing compact set to expire today.

Governor announces two tribes sign 8-month gaming extension, responds to federal lawsuit by Chickasaw, Cherokee and Choctaw

GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES TWO TRIBES SIGN 8-MONTH GAMING EXTENSION, RESPONDS TO FEDERAL LAWSUIT BY CHICKASAW, CHEROKEE, CHOCTAW

Oklahoma City, Okla. (Dec. 31, 2019) – Governor Kevin Stitt today announced two tribes, the Kialegee Tribal Town (“Tribe”) and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, have entered into an eight-month extension with the State of Oklahoma on the Model Gaming Compact. Governor Stitt today also responded to the federal lawsuit filed by the Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Cherokee Nations in regard to the Model Gaming Compact expiring on Jan. 1, 2020.

“I appreciate the honesty and boldness of the Kialegee Tribal Town and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians who recognize the Jan. 1, 2020 expiration in the Model Gaming Compact and have signed on to the eight-month extension generously offered by the State. These extensions will enable the parties to negotiate a compact that better accounts for the differing needs of tribes throughout the state and the State’s interests in preserving the substantial exclusivity without a cloud of legal uncertainty. The State of Oklahoma offered an extension, with no strings attached, to all tribes that operate casinos in the state, and my door continues to be open for more tribes to join who are worried about impending uncertainty,” said Gov. Stitt.

A copy of the Kialegee Tribal Town extension is available here, and a copy of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee extension is available here.

Gov. Stitt continued, “I am disappointed that a number of Oklahoma tribes, led by the Chickasaw, Cherokee, and Choctaw Nations, did not accept the State’s offer on Oct. 28 for a three-person arbitration panel to resolve our dispute outside of court. This was a capstone action to their numerous refusals to meet with State and begin negotiations on the Model Gaming Compact to ensure a win-win for all parties by the end of this year. I was elected to represent all 4 million Oklahomans, and I will continue to be laser focused on an outcome that achieves a fair deal and is in the best interest of the state and its citizens.”

The gaming compacts were entered into by the State of Oklahoma and 35 tribes beginning in 2005. Between July 3 – July 8, 2019, Governor Stitt requested that tribal leaders work with the State to renegotiate terms in the gaming compacts—"within 180 days of the expiration of this Compact or any renewal thereof,” as set forth in Part 15.B of the compacts.

The State of Oklahoma made four official requests for tribal leaders to come together to discuss and negotiate the terms of the gaming compacts. All requests were turned down by the tribes. The State then proposed arbitration to resolve the legal dispute regarding the compacts’ expiration date. This offer was categorically rejected. On Dec. 18, 2019, Governor Stitt offered to extend the compacts for eight months to permit the parties time to negotiate in good faith. This offer was also turned down. The tribes have now filed a lawsuit after repeatedly being offered all avenues available to resolve the matter without litigation. The timeline of events is available by clicking here.

Oklahoma tribes pursue casinos in states with higher rates

Oklahoma tribes pursue casinos in states with higher rates

by Ray Carter 

Director, Center for Independent Journalism

(December 16, 2019) -- In arguing against Gov. Kevin Stitt’s call for the State of Oklahoma to receive higher exclusivity payments for monopoly casino rights, Oklahoma’s tribal casino operators often argue that the benefits of the state’s low rates accrue to Oklahoma anyway because they have nowhere else to go with their earnings.

The “United for Oklahoma” website, funded by tribal casino operators, includes several quotes making that point.

“Tribes have been relocated here officially since 1832, they were here long before that, and we’re not leaving the State of Oklahoma for better investments,” said former state Rep. Lisa Billy in one quote posted on the “United for Oklahoma” website.

“I don’t want to try and help the state of Texas or Arkansas or Missouri—they’re doing well on their own, they don’t need our help,” said Gary Ridley, former secretary of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, in another quote highlighted on the website. “What we need to do is help Oklahoma.”

Yet Oklahoma’s tribal casino operators are increasingly looking to use more of their Oklahoma earnings on casino investments in other states—including Arkansas and Missouri—and are often doing so despite the fact they will pay significantly higher tax rates or fees to those other states’ governments.

The most notable recent example occurred on Oct. 22 when the Choctaw Nation’s plan to develop and manage a 2,000-gaming-positions casino in Matteson, Illinois, gained unanimous approval from the Matteson Village Board of Trustees.

That plan, done in partnership with an investor, includes a $300 million casino, 200-room hotel, restaurants, and a convention center. The Choctaw Nation also plans to partner with two entities to build an indoor golf facility and a family entertainment facility next to the casino.

The new Illinois casino was authorized by legislation signed into law this year. Illinois currently has no tribal casinos operated on land placed in federal trust, and there is no indication from public reports that the Choctaw’s Illinois facility would be exempt from the typical tax rates imposed on commercial casinos.

That indicates the tribe is prepared to enter a market with tax rates five-times greater than the highest fee rate imposed in Oklahoma.

In Oklahoma, tribal governments pay a state “exclusivity fee” of 4 percent to 6 percent on slot machines, and 10 percent on table games. Those fees are paid in return for the state barring competitors from the market and granting tribes monopoly rights within their territories.

But Oklahoma’s rates are a fraction of those charged in Illinois.

According to the Illinois Gaming Board, that state’s wagering tax, which is levied on annual adjusted gross receipts, starts at 15 percent and ramps up to 50 percent on revenue over $200 million. That tax is imposed on all gambling games other than table games. The tax on table games in Illinois starts at 15 percent and then rises to 20 percent on revenue in excess of $25 million on those games.

The Choctaw’s casino proposal must still gain approval from Illinois regulators, and the Choctaw Nation is just one of five out-of-state tribal casino operators reportedly seeking to enter Illinois’ gaming market. The other four are the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin, the Forest County Potawatomi of Wisconsin, the Poarch Creek Indians of Alabama, and the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

The Choctaw Nation and other Oklahoma tribes have sought to enter other state markets aside from Illinois, and many of those efforts long precede the current dispute over Oklahoma’s exclusivity fees.

In 2017, the Osage Nation sought to launch a casino in Missouri, and hired the former Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives to lobby on their behalf. The potential casino site was roughly 80 miles from St. Louis.

News accounts indicate the Osage hoped to place land into federal trust and enter a compact with the state to provide casino gaming. (Like Illinois, Missouri currently has no tribal casinos.) The Osage also provided more than $50,000 to underwrite the Missouri governor’s inaugural activities. The governor’s support would have been required to enter into a gaming compact.

Had the Osage succeeded in their effort, they would have operated the only land-based casino in the state of Missouri—the other 13 sites are riverboat facilities—which suggests the tribe could have been required to pay exclusivity fees to Missouri despite the existence of other forms of non-tribal casino gambling.

While no details were made public on what level of payment the Osage would have offered for the rights to the state’s only land-based casino, the American Gaming Association shows that Missouri’s casino tax is 21 percent tax on gross gaming revenues.

The difference in the rates imposed by Missouri and Oklahoma result in substantial differences when it comes to state funding.

In November, the Missouri Gaming Commission reported that the 13 casinos in that state had generated $150 million in state taxes from July to November. That means 13 casinos generated more revenue for Missouri in a five-month period than 131 tribal casinos did for Oklahoma in an entire year. According to the state Office of Management and Enterprise Services’ Oklahoma Gaming Unit Compliance annual report for 2018, the most recent available, the state of Oklahoma collected just $139 million in tribal gaming exclusivity fees for all 12 months of fiscal year 2018.

Other Oklahoma tribal casino operators have already invested millions of dollars in other states, or have sought to do so.

Tribal Government Gaming magazine reported that the Quapaw Tribe and Cherokee Nation spent more than $6 million on a successful initiative campaign that legalized four casino sites in Arkansas. The Quapaw have since received one of the available licenses, and the Cherokee Nation and Choctaw Nation are competing for another.

The tax rate on Arkansas casinos is 13 percent of the first $150 million of net casino gaming receipts and 20 percent on receipts above $150 million. All casinos in the state are subject to that tax rate, with no exemption or special lower fee for tribal casino entities.

In 2014, the developers of a proposed casino in Albany, New York, agreed to make the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma the facility’s operators. (The plan for an Albany casino was ultimately scrapped). And the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma has made repeated efforts over several years to build a casino in the state of New York. In 2008, the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs rejected the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma’s effort due in part to the 1,500-mile distance between the tribe’s Oklahoma headquarters and the proposed New York casino site.

Gaming compacts in New York require tribal casino operators to pay state exclusivity fees that run as high as 25 percent of the “net drop” on a game, which is defined as “money dropped into machines, after payout but before expense.”

In New York, the American Gaming Association reports that the tax rate on commercial casinos runs between 39 percent of gross gaming revenue from slot machines to 45 percent, with a 10-percent rate applied to other games.

In 2017, the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma explored opening a casino on ancestral lands in Georgia, a state that currently has no casinos. Discussions to legalize casino gambling in Georgia in 2015 included proposed tax rates of 12 percent to 20 percent. Had the United Keetoowah Band obtained exclusive gaming rights through a compact, the tribe could have been required to pay the state an exclusivity fee.

The Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma has made repeated efforts to obtain ancestral land in Ohio and open a casino in that state, including in 2008 when the tribe proposed building a 123-acre casino complex that would cost between $300 million and $350 million.

According to the American Gaming Association, Ohio currently has no tribal casinos, and imposes a 33-percent tax on all gross casino revenue.

The pace of such out-of-state excursions by Oklahoma’s tribal casino operators could accelerate based on national trends. This year “Tribal Government Gaming” magazine, a casino industry publication, reported that tribes “are parlaying skills and experience gained through 30 years of operating tribal government casinos on Indian lands with a growing list of commercial casino ventures in the United States and overseas.”

“Rather than operating casinos under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) of 1988, which exempts tribes from state taxes and allows them primacy in regulating their gambling operations,” “Tribal Government Gaming” reported, “tribes are wading into the commercial gaming sector.”

Music Monday: Choctaw Nation

This week's Music Monday is Choctaw Nation, by Irish singer/songwriter Damien Dempsey. The song talks about the interaction of the Choctaw Nation with the people of Ireland. The "Sheridan" referenced in the lyrics (posted below the video) was an Irish-born U.S. Army officer involved in the Trail of Tears forced relocation of the tribe; a decade or so later, the Choctaw Nation raised $170 (a significant sum in 1847 Indian Territory) to send to Ireland for relief of the Irish Potato Famine victims.

Today, Ireland's Prime Minister Leo Varadkar visited the Choctaw Nation in Durant to recognize that act of friendship and empathy, and announce the establishment of a new scholarship program for Choctaw Nation members to study in Ireland. A monument was raised in Ireland last year also noting the Choctaw gift.



Enjoy!

Lyrics:

Choctaw Nation, I am in your debt
Choctaw Nation, I just want to thank you
Choctaw Nation, I got so upset when I learned of your wisdom and your virtue
I am sorry for that evil man
I feel shamed that he came from my country
I am sorry for that Sheridan, and the other tools used in colonies

You were halved on the trail of tears
In the wintertime of the year
Had to leave Nanih Waiya
For the cold Oklahoma
Well you lay down upon the road
Tired and hungry and freezing cold
Thousands died on the rough terrain,
Food and blankets they never came

You sent money you could not afford
You were touched by Irish peoples suffering
And your brave example of struck a chord
Now the Irish are so good at giving

Choctaw Nation, I am in your debt
Choctaw Nation, I just want to thank you
Choctaw Nation, I got so upset when I learned of your wisdom and your virtue
Choctaw Nation, Thank you.


See below for all previous Music Monday posts. Do you have a song you'd like to suggest for a future Music Monday? Email me at JamisonFaught@MuskogeePolitico.com.

March 5th, 2018: Hark, I Hear The Harps Eternal
February 19th, 2018: The Olympic Spirit
February 12th, 2018: Olympic Fanfare and Theme
January 29th, 2018: Hail to the Chief
January 23rd, 2018: Waltz in A-Flat Major, Op. 39 No. 15
January 15th, 2018: Bleed The Same
January 8th, 2018: Saint-Saëns' Symphony No.3 'Organ' (Maestoso)
December 25th, 2017: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
December 18th, 2017: I Saw Three Ships (The Piano Guys)
December 11th, 2017:Who Is He In Yonder Stall
December 4th, 2017: Carol of the Bells (Mannheim Steamroller)
November 27th, 2017: Joy to the World!
November 20th, 2017: We Gather Together
November 13th, 2017: Mansions of the Lord
November 6th, 2017: Träumerei
October 30th: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
October 23rd, 2017: In Christ Alone
October 16th, 2017: When I'm Knee Deep In Bluegrass
October 9th, 2017: I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb
October 2nd, 2017: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major (Brahms)
September 25th, 2017: Beethoven's Sonata No. 8 in C minor ('Pathétique')
September 11th, 2017: Have You Forgotten?
September 4th, 2017: Bach's Double Violin Concerto
August 28th, 2017: Noah Found Grace In The Eyes Of The Lord
August 21st, 2017: The Heavens Are Telling The Glory of God
August 14th, 2017: Beethoven's 5th Symphony
August 7th, 2017: 'Lift High The Name Of Jesus' medley
July 31st, 2017: Fanfare for the Common Man
July 24th, 2017: Variations on 'Happy Birthday'
July 10th, 2017: Summer (Presto) from Vivaldi's Four Seasons
July 3rd, 2017: Freelance Fireworks Hall of Fame
June 26th, 2017: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
June 19th, 2017: A Christian Home
June 12th, 2017: Ol' Man River
June 5th, 2017: Choctaw Cowboy
May 29th, 2017: Armed Forces Salute
May 22nd, 2017: Double Bass Concerto No.2 in B minor
May 15th, 2017: Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D major
May 8th, 2017: The Army Goes Rolling Along
April 17th, 2017: He Is Alive
April 10th, 2017: Surely He Hath Borne/And With His Stripes/All We Like Sheep
April 3rd, 2017: Here Comes Carolina
March 27th, 2017: 'Spring' from Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons'
March 20th, 2017: Symphony No. 5 ("Reformation") Finale
March 13th, 2017: The Pigeon on the Gate
March 6th, 2017: Finlandia
February 27th, 2017: When I Can Read My Title Clear
February 20th, 2017: William Tell Overture - Finale
February 13th, 2017: 'Romance' from 'The Gadfly'
February 6th, 2017: White Winter Hymnal
January 30th, 2017: Hail, Columbia
January 23rd, 2017: Hail to the Chief
January 16th, 2017: Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy
January 2nd, 2017: Auld Lang Syne
December 26th, 2016: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
December 19th, 2016: I Wonder as I Wander
December 12th, 2016: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
December 5th, 2016: A Christmas Festival
November 28th, 2016: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
November 21st: Beethoven's 'Hymn of Thanksgiving'
November 14th: Hymn to the Fallen
November 7th: This World Is Not My Home
October 31st, 2016: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
October 24th, 2016: 'Mars', from 'The Planets'
October 17th, 2016: My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
October 10th, 2016: Spain
October 3rd, 2016: International Harvester
September 26th, 2016: 'The Imperial March' from Star Wars
September 19th, 2016: Awake the Trumpet's Lofty Sound
September 12th, 2016: Before the Throne of God Above
September 5th, 2016: The Hunt
August 29th, 2016: Liberty
August 22nd, 2016: Summon the Heroes
August 15th, 2016: Bugler's Dream
August 8th, 2016: Olympic Fanfare and Theme
August 1st, 2016: 'Prelude' and 'Parade of the Charioteers' from Ben-Hur
July 25th, 2016: How The West Was Won
July 18th, 2016: Six Studies in English Folk Song
July 11th, 2016: From Everlasting To Everlasting
July 4th, 2016: The Stars and Stripes Forever
June 27th, 2016: Rule, Britannia!
June 20st, 2016: Bugler's Holiday
June 13th, 2016: Ride of the Valkyries
June 6th, 2016: Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54, Allegro Vivace
May 30th, 2016: Armed Forces Salute
May 23rd, 2016: Paid in Full (Through Jesus, Amen)
May 16th, 2016: Overture from 'Carmen'
May 9th, 2016: L'Arlesienne Suite No. 1 - Prelude
May 2nd, 2016: My God Is a Rock
April 25th, 2016: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor
April 18th, 2016: Paganini's Caprice No. 24 in A Minor
April 11th, 2016: Fantasia on a 17th Century Tune
April 4th, 2016: Hark The Sound/I'm a Tarheel Born
March 28th, 2016: Rustle of Spring
March 21st, 2016: 'Ode to Joy' sung by a 10,000-voice choir
March 14th, 2016: Hard Times Come Again No More
March 7th, 2016: 'The Suite' from Downton Abbey
February 29th, 2016: Moonlight Sonata
February 22nd, 2016: Liebestraum No. 3
February 15th, 2016: Help Is On The Way
February 8th, 2016: God of Grace and God of Glory
February 1st, 2016: 'My Story'
January 25th, 2016: Israeli Concertino
January 18th, 2016: What Grace is Mine
January 11th, 2016: "Meditation" from Thaïs
January 4th, 2016: Praeludium and Allegro
December 28th, 2015: Appalachian Carol
December 21st, 2015: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
December 14th, 2015: O Holy Night
December 7th, 2015: Christmas Fantasy
November 23rd, 2015: Simple Gifts
November 16th, 2015: Preacher Tell Me Like It Is
November 9th, 2015: Armed Forces Salute
November 2nd, 2015: Amazing Grace
October 26th, 2015: The Harmonious Blacksmith
October 19th, 2015: Liberty Fanfare
October 12th, 2015: The Majesty and Glory of Your Name
October 5th, 2015: Elgar's 'Enigma' Finale
September 28th, 2015: Stayed on Jesus
September 21st, 2015: Great Gate of Kiev
September 14th, 2015: Nearer, My God, To Thee