House Tribal and External Affairs Leader Scott Fetgatter expressed disappointment in Gov. Kevin Stitt’s annual State of the State address, accusing the governor of showing adversity toward Tribal Nations. Leaders of Native American tribes in the House gallery found the speech insensitive to Oklahoma’s history and the long-standing partnership between the state and tribal citizens.
Gov. Stitt was criticized for failing to acknowledge the contributions and collaborations with the tribal nations of Oklahoma, particularly in sectors like health care, public safety, and education. Fetgatter highlighted the significance of tribal partnerships and accused the governor of undermining them. "The governor says he has worked tirelessly to maintain unity of one Oklahoma, however he continues to ignore the reality of who we are as a state and single-handedly has destroyed decades of collaboration between state and tribal leaders," Fetgatter stated, as noted by the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
The accusation comes in light of the ongoing discussions following the McGirt Supreme Court ruling which confirmed that much of eastern Oklahoma remains Native American territory for certain legal issues. Fetgatter rejected the governor’s interpretation of the ruling, clarifying that "The Supreme Court ruling did not in any way make half of our state a reservation, and the governor knows it," as reported by the Oklahoma House. According to Fetgatter, the decision should encourage self-governance and recommitment to promises made.
With Gov. Stitt's term coming to an end, Fetgatter sees an opportunity to mend and to further develop partnerships with tribal nations. He hopes the next governor will better embrace and respect the sovereignty of these groups, acknowledging their significant role in the state’s prosperity. "The end of Governor Stitt’s term gives us an opportunity to build on existing partnerships with our tribes," he explained, emphasizing the need to correct the wrongs he believes were inflicted by the current administration, as per the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
