Our Sovereign Land
The Cherokee Nation is committed to protecting our inherent sovereignty, preserving and promoting our culture, languages and values, and improving the quality of life for our citizens and for all of Indian Country.
Ensuring we do what’s right for Tribal Nations
The Supreme Court’s McGirt v. Oklahoma decision recognized what Indian Country has known all along: that our land is our land. Now, the Cherokee Nation is hard at work to protect our sovereignty while fighting for the public safety and legal cooperation we need in the wake of the historic decision.
Visit our resources page for important documents about the McGirt case and Indian sovereignty over our land.
Latest News
MSNBC: Supreme Court Ruling Chips Away at Rights on Native American Land
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. discusses the U.S. Supreme Court's Castro-Huerta ruling on MSNBC's Symone.
Huffpost: Once Again The Supreme Court Breaks America’s Promise To Tribes
In April, Justice Neil Gorsuch asked his colleagues on the Supreme Court if they would “wilt today because of a social media campaign.” The case was Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta, in which the state of Oklahoma claimed it holds jurisdiction to prosecute certain...
NBC News: The Supreme Court gave states more power over tribal land. Tribes say that undermines their autonomy.
In a decision that stunned legal experts, the Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that state governments have the authority to prosecute certain cases on tribal lands, effectively undermining centuries of legal precedent by expanding the power of states. The court’s ruling...
The Oklahoman: Oklahoma tribal leaders hopeful after Supreme Court hearing linked to McGirt decision
Tribal leaders in Oklahoma were encouraged Wednesday after hearing arguments in a Supreme Court case tied to McGirt v. Oklahoma that justices would land once again on the side of tribal sovereignty. After listening to the state’s arguments, Cherokee Principal Chief...
The Atlantic: Where Is Oklahoma Getting Its Numbers From in Its Supreme Court Case?
To prove that McGirt wreaked havoc in Oklahoma, the state is claiming that it has lost jurisdiction over 18,000 prosecutions a year, many of which are now “going un-investigated and unprosecuted, endangering public safety.” The problem is that this number seems to...
Law360: ‘Sky Did Not Fall’ For Okla. Economy After McGirt, Study Says
Restoring tribal control of historical Native American lands has a minimal effect on commercial activity in those places, according to a new study, whose authors say its conclusion undermines the doomsday economic warnings spurred by the U.S. Supreme Court's McGirt...
Tulsa World: Tribes defend sovereignty in Supreme Court McGirt filing
“Instead of supporting funding requests, engaging with Congress, or negotiating with the Nations, the Governor and his counsel tout litigation to circumvent and undermine McGirt as the State’s primary effort,” the tribes claimed in their brief. The U.S. Supreme Court...
American Bar Association Journal: Federal and tribal courts in Oklahoma grapple with the aftermath of McGirt
Like the federal government, the tribal nations in Oklahoma have scaled up and expanded their operations. “Prior to McGirt, in 2019, I had one full-time prosecutor who did both juvenile and criminal cases. Today, I have eight full-time prosecutors,” says Sara Hill,...
KOSU: Oklahoma Gov. Stitt’s appearance on Fox News draws backlash, ire from tribal leaders
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is drawing criticism from tribal leaders after an appearance on Fox News Wednesday night. Still told host Tucker Carlson that someone could "show their Indian card" and get a criminal conviction overturned. He was referencing cards that show...
Fox 23: Cherokee Nation marks official recognition of McGirt ruling one year later
The Cherokee Nation is celebrating the recent achievements of their criminal justice system since the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals recognized that the U.S. Supreme Court’s McGirt decision did apply to the tribal nation. “Over the past year, the Cherokee Nation...