The U.S. Department of Justice is supporting the Mvskoke Nation in the Tulsa lawsuit

TVLSE, Oklv. – On November 15, 2023, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation filed suit against the City of Tulsa for continuing to exercise criminal jurisdiction over Native Americans on the Mvskoke Reservation. On May 13, the United States filed a motion to intervene in the case, in support of the MCN.

According to the declaration

“This case concerns Tulsa’s continued assertion of criminal jurisdiction, without congressional authorization, over Indians for conduct occurring within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Reservation. Tulsa’s assertion of such jurisdiction violates fundamental principles of federal Indian law that are deeply rooted in the U.S. Constitution. The long-standing rule – recently reiterated in McGirt v. Oklahoma, is that the states and their political subdivisions have no criminal jurisdiction over Indians in Indian country without the consent of Congress. Because Congress has not authorized Oklahoma or Tulsa to exercise such jurisdiction, that rule applies here with full force.”

The motion seeks a declaration that Tulsa has no criminal jurisdiction over Native Americans within the Mvskoke Reservation and that Tulsa’s assertion of jurisdiction violates federal law. In addition, the filing requests that Tulsa be permanently barred from asserting criminal jurisdiction and prosecuting Native Americans on the reservation land without congressional authorization.

Mvskoke Media will continue to report on this developing story.