[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6631461,"mediaKeyId","2679808-2612cc704a587a691f1ed32ba8e7ff0f","parentId",2679808,"title","Commission appoints Joyce Roberts to Human Rights Commission; members hear committee reports and event dates","audioSeconds",1674,"startMs",182000,"endMs",1856000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2679808-2612cc704a587a691f1ed32ba8e7ff0f&start=182&end=1856","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2679808-2612cc704a587a691f1ed32ba8e7ff0f/thumbnail_182000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6631461/Tulsa/Tulsa-County/Oklahoma/Commission-appoints-Joyce-Roberts-to-Human-Rights-Commission-members-hear-committee-reports-and-event-dates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631461-3735d70e6052c9ea7a809d03588d8f72/orig.mp4?Expires=1770605658&Signature=aqo4Iu8DW6G4wy8hm6K2Wv6jzKnHlLLJqZjpZOhuKbPwADxoz5S55JTUGAlq4zV9EOeSmIJFyLgIqilt7Zf0DANXgotr6JZ5-gg1bfUKsMK1M~o8niJrO360ZJjQCZ8ZmYofu9iLrD-e44faxQBDSnQEPMMnAA3Lh2LQ7gHSPtqigmXFKQiFzOweGv3VeV5BwFRWOk9OYd7D5lOpFOyrLdakuWi41wPV~GKapWyCTztSQzfF5RxZROslYsVjrayId0kvbj~QPFVRCALUQk~3WYwsJpkiQZktFIJF1aC-TYMTjeBSNjrnwNySLxmYSgFYYBjuUCPAUaSxgviDYGNEQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tulsa","date","2025-03-18T18:00:00Z","article","At the start of the meeting the commission voted to approve previously distributed meeting minutes by voice vote; the minutes were approved without recorded dissent.

On an appointment to the City of Tulsa Human Rights Commission, a commissioner nominated Joyce Roberts to serve as the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission's representative. The nomination was seconded and approved by voice vote; the transcript records the outcome as a voice \"aye\" and no opposition was recorded. The commission had discussed adding a formal process for that appointment in its bylaws but had not completed those bylaw changes.

Commissioners gave committee reports and scheduling updates. Highlights included:
- Native American Day: The committee met and is finalizing a theme, selecting a marshal and a featured artist. The event date was listed as Oct. 13, 2025. Organizers plan outreach to school districts once the theme is finalized.
- Dreamkeepers committee: Commissioners reported receiving additional nominations for Dreamkeepers awards in categories including language and business excellence and said nominations are further along than typical for this time of year.
- Education committee: Commissioners relayed several Tulsa Public Schools Indian Education events: an Indian Education senior celebration on May 1, 2025 at Booker T. Washington (6 p.m.) and a social dance/powwow on April 12, 2025 at Rogers High School. Library programming and tribal-led school outreach were also discussed.
- Bylaws committee: The committee met immediately before the commission meeting and prepared a discussion draft of proposed changes to city ordinance and commission bylaws. Commissioners said the draft will be reviewed internally and submitted to city legal for review before wider circulation.

Other items: The commission heard updates on Dreamkeepers Park design and a parks-committee funding request to Osage Casinos; the sustainability task force created by city executive order is seeking tribal members; and commission leadership discussed transferring some city-related agenda updates to the mayor's office tribal liaison for regular reports.

Votes at a glance:
- Approval of meeting minutes: motion moved and seconded; voice vote; outcome: approved.
- Appointment of Commissioner Joyce Roberts to the City of Tulsa Human Rights Commission: motion moved and seconded; voice vote; outcome: appointed.

Why it matters: The appointment fills the commission's designated slot on the Human Rights Commission and committee reports set dates and outreach plans for several public events and award processes.

Next steps: Bylaws committee will reconvene to refine ordinance draft and submit materials to city legal; Native American Day outreach will proceed once the theme and artist availability are finalized.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tulsa - Indian Affairs Commission - Mar 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission approved minutes, appointed Commissioner Joyce Roberts as its representative to the city's Human Rights Commission, and received committee updates on Native American Day, Dreamkeepers, education events and bylaws work.","taxTitle","Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma","taxId",2682,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6631465,"Commissioners flag risk from BIA office lease terminations and service cuts at Pawnee and Osage",186,1452000,1638000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2679808-2612cc704a587a691f1ed32ba8e7ff0f&start=1452&end=1638","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2679808-2612cc704a587a691f1ed32ba8e7ff0f/thumbnail_1452000.jpg","/articles/6631465/Tulsa/Tulsa-County/Oklahoma/Commissioners-flag-risk-from-BIA-office-lease-terminations-and-service-cuts-at-Pawnee-and-Osage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631465-8674f12028c6fbebc2835e46295a0817/orig.mp4?Expires=1770605658&Signature=XdDhBsW7wuS~zlRwF9DJQBYAdH~l2Sxp4eLVg~YYb0vOxI3~lEgAHG92ydVn7HSE-sv7tt8J4rPQlK4yK6YF-TOZAKAFeSkeqDs3gO1~0onG265KbPmzkRkE6qvV6zGz6tcTsKL3PQMLdUiRF6TP4ixirTZgGBYBeV5B-Avx5VHhP~87a~vkiDC71qkMNsuQ5nIB6OYgXD9aNXVkbzGmv3moUfpDACMj9m6BzZj3j1Yq1zwEJ3BD9Qp5KVD58yWa6zzLCqAyBS9oeyl-N4oak1QFaVMLS3GuCo~S2woWsQJMnqALqPXwcOq0bChJT2x65RLnL3qknorkpccw6Xj3Og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner Sherry Williams told the commission she has been monitoring recent changes to Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) field offices and said the lease for the Pawnee BIA office has been terminated and that the Pawnee office 'may close in September.

Williams said the Osage agency lease also was terminated and that an interim superintendent was laid off; she said it is unclear whether those local offices will be re-leased or how personnel will be reassigned. The commissioner warned that removing local offices and staff could impede the federal trust obligations the U.S. government owes to tribes and that absence of local personnel has in other cases led to breach-of-trust litigation and large settlements.

During the report, commissioners referenced materials released by the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) explaining differences between tribal programs that arise from treaty and trust obligations and discretionary diversity/equity programs. Commissioner Williams cited an historical example discussed in the meeting record: the Osage Nation previously obtained a roughly $300 million breach-of-trust settlement, which attendees said illustrates potential financial liability when trust obligations are not met.

Commissioner Deere (name spelled in the meeting record as \"Deere\" in some places) supplemented the discussion with an operational briefing about Indian Health Service (IHS) and BIA-related changes: he said local IHS payment arrangements and BIA staffing are being altered in some areas, including consolidations of accounts and relocations to Anadarko.

Why it matters: Local BIA and IHS field-office presence is a key element enabling tribes to access federal programs for land, natural resources, education, and services. Commissioners said cuts or office relocations could delay or complicate delivery of services and create legal exposure for the federal government.

Next steps: Commissioners encouraged colleagues to monitor NARF materials, contact tribal natural-resources and education staff in represented nations, and coordinate with legal resources if trust obligations appear at risk.","Members raised concerns that terminated leases and staffing changes at Bureau of Indian Affairs field offices could disrupt tribal services and trigger federal trust obligations, citing a prior multi-million-dollar breach-of-trust settlement as context.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6631470,"Tulsa tribal litigation stays in flux as city negotiates consent decree and state seeks to intervene",1649,333000,1982000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2679808-2612cc704a587a691f1ed32ba8e7ff0f&start=333&end=1982","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2679808-2612cc704a587a691f1ed32ba8e7ff0f/thumbnail_333000.jpg","/articles/6631470/Tulsa/Tulsa-County/Oklahoma/Tulsa-tribal-litigation-stays-in-flux-as-city-negotiates-consent-decree-and-state-seeks-to-intervene","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631470-a02397f85d0d8e7e95a60057e154de68/orig.mp4?Expires=1770605659&Signature=B13pNUTzat4AIvu2Jww3wthi09FV1b8YW7aQoCzR6asTHfrrIUfi~NanxSaByDC1Dt7zoM~eMbqW-dNFxRZ~WxGkY4FoSf~KI7vQeVH-pF~OQVrigd5qOurDzp-omkeG7ztDwTqZscBTRI2z~yO-LzoLnJ1PGD6sXikXSSylEz1Igz8VJ3X7~YLHQN5vm-01w5JMiuA3ye619RfPu-OpYEsb3VA7o1l~SB3w7WpCFAJImXHjyH6YwsgCmUfwSKVbVo7ZN3Bdw7ZziP4~mvM6T7vo1oVv0jB5wvFCPPAzarNnwghu2puIPlQkgsyzgneMt6WFnbTv2n6mZMFmTjEbHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Acting chair (name not specified) told the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission that negotiations are underway between the City of Tulsa and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation over a lawsuit that seeks to limit certain municipal arrests of Native American citizens following the Supreme Court's McGirt decision.

The vice chair's update said the city had paused active defense of the case after the new mayor's office sought negotiated terms with the Muscogee Nation; those talks have produced draft consent-decree language that city legal staff are reviewing. The speaker characterized the negotiations as an effort to balance public-safety concerns with tribal sovereignty, and said further meetings of city and tribal leaders are scheduled.

Commissioners were also told that a third party has filed a motion in the case seeking to intervene. The transcript describes that motion as coming from a member of the Stitt family (identified in the meeting record as Keith Stitt), asking to take over or represent the city's interests in the litigation. The acting chair said it is unclear how the court will rule on that motion and noted the procedural complexity: whether a state actor may supplant municipal defense of a suit that involves intergovernmental negotiations.

Commissioners discussed related legal decisions that shape the field, including references to the McGirt decision and an \"O'Brien\" ruling mentioned in the meeting. The acting chair said the O'Brien matter had reached settlement and that earlier rulings illustrate how jurisdictional questions remain unsettled and can create uncertainty for cities and tribes.

City staff (tribal liaison) reported that the City of Tulsa's Tribal Relations Committee has been restructured to meet quarterly, with the mayor's office staffing a liaison role. That staff member told the commission the committee will keep a general quarterly meeting and create ad hoc work groups for focused issues such as budget priorities and intergovernmental projects. The liaison said council administration clarified that because the committee is televised, certain quorum-and-posting practices will be handled administratively to reduce procedural obstacles to convening.

Commissioners and staff also described ongoing intergovernmental conversations beyond litigation: the city has opened talks with Cherokee Nation and Osage Nation on economic development, and staff have connected tribal housing officials with city housing advisors as part of efforts to address homelessness and tribal housing needs. The acting chair said federal moves to allow tribal housing on federal lands (announced in the Secretary of the Interior/HUD initiative referenced in the meeting) might present opportunities, though she noted no specific federal land parcels were identified in the Tulsa area during the discussion.

Why it matters: The outcome of litigation or a consent decree would affect how municipal officers interact with tribal citizens inside reservation boundaries and could set precedents for intergovernmental policing, public-safety coordination, and jurisdictional clarity in northeastern Oklahoma.

Next steps: Commissioners were told city and tribal legal teams will continue drafting and reviewing consent-decree language and that additional negotiation sessions are scheduled. The meeting record shows a pending court motion to intervene; commissioners said they are monitoring the filing but did not direct legal action themselves.","At the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission meeting, commissioners heard an update that the Muscogee (Creek) Nation's suit against the City of Tulsa remains unresolved while city negotiators and tribal leaders move toward a consent decree and another party seeks to join the case.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission appoints Joyce Roberts to Human Rights Commission; members hear committee reports and event dates

Commissioners flag risk from BIA office lease terminations and service cuts at Pawnee and Osage

Tulsa tribal litigation stays in flux as city negotiates consent decree and state seeks to intervene