Readers weighed in on how to mend the fractured relationship between Gov. Stitt and tribes

Multiple Oklahoma tribes have opted out of participating in Gov. Kevin Stitt's new task force established to fix what he described as “broken” criminal justice systems on tribal reservations, another example of the chasm building between the governor and the tribes.

We asked readers how the fractured relationship between Stitt and Oklahoma's tribal leaders and citizens could be mended.

Here are your responses:

It is quite confusing, as I understand he may be part Native American. It appears that Gov. Kevin Stitt is unable to see how to work with our stellar Native leaders who seem exemplary in their wisdom and leadership.

I feel Stitt seems to be in line with the disturbing philosophy of our state superintendent of education R. Walters who thinks diversity is something evil. I did not know who Gov. Stitt was before he took office and am unimpressed with his thoughtlessness about the gifts we have with our amazing tribal leadership.

— Donna O’Keefe, Edmond

It would help if Gov. Stitt respected tribal government as a benefit. The tribes were here before us. Work together for the common good.

— Martin Hartmann

Both sides need to be willing to look at the issues truthfully and compromise. It should not be about who has the best PR machine.

The issues that McGirt have created are serious and need to be addressed. The same rules and regulations should apply to everyone in the state.

It seems to me that most of the issues raised by Stitt over the past few years have been legitimate and worthy of consideration, although perhaps he could have approached them in a better way.

— Cliff Dougherty

Bring everyone to the table before you make any laws, be transparent, don't think you have all the answers, get others' opinion, everyone have a voice. Don't try to have that BULLY ego, just because you are the governor.

— Eran Eaton

Gov. Kevin Stitt has proved to be a control fanatic and a bully when anyone challenges him, even some of his own party. His words ring hollow when it comes to tribal relations.

He needs to leave the tribes to the Legislature and go on about his goal to seek a national slot in D.C.

— Max Boydstun

Ask Sarah Stitt to convene a Forum of First Spouses of the tribal chiefs. Let each participant bring a recipe which is a family favorite and a second recipe for coming together as citizens of Oklahoma. That recipe pamphlet might be a bestseller.

Gov. Stitt should champion the cause of extending our beautiful Oklahoma River eastward past First Americans Boulevard (formerly MLK Jr. Boulevard) so that those crossing the River will see water on both sides. This will also enhance the view from the upcoming pedestrian bridge across the River and beautify the approach to the Okana Lodge and Water Park and the First Americans Museum.

— Kay Musser, Oklahoma City ― Osage, Kaw and Pottawatomie

Sit down with the Tribes and Listen, Gov. Stitt! Please respect for what the Tribes are doing for Oklahoma and how much We can do Together. Together We Oklahomans are Stronger and get more done.

— Martin_H.

Enforce Oklahoma sovereignty. Tribes are not sovereign. They are federal overreach. Remove the road signs at the former reservation boundaries. There are no reservations in Oklahoma. Outlaw tribal license plates. Force tribes to pay the state fees for all gaming machines. Sue the NIGC for not enforcing gaming machine classification laws. Enforce state tax law. The Supreme Court affirmed state sovereignty in the Castro-Huerta decision. Enough is enough.

— Joshua_B.

Great Question:

1.) Continue the symbolic interaction of inviting random tribal members to regular events at the Governor's Mansion.

2.) When there are important events, the tribal officers should be invited to voluntarily attend to show honor

3.) Remind tribal members frequently that Oklahoma loves the Native American culture and traditions, even though most of us disagree with the "Tribal Separatist" agenda of exemptions from state law, state taxes, traffic law tickets, etc.

4.) Remind the woke media that most tribal members in Oklahoma are not "Tribal Separatist" supporters and most are integrated into Oklahoma and do not want to be a separate entity, but want familial ties with Tribal groups.

5.) The tribal groups — which have considerable resources in the billion$ ― need to pivot away from gambling enterprises which create lots of low wage jobs and reinforce a cycle of poverty, booze addiction and societal problems.

6.) Tribes should work to create better jobs and growth for Tribal members instead of trying to be political bosses.

— John_C.

How about tribes start acting like adults rather than petulant children who aren't getting their way? That would solve the problem.

— Chris_S.

Impeach Stitt! Problem solved

— Bobby_T.

Easy. Elect a new Governor. Governor Stitt has proven time and again that he has utter contempt for the tribes. At this point, it certainly appears he has no desire to work positively on his relationship with the tribes. I do not have any illusions that will change over the next three years.

— Trent Baggett, Norman

The relationship between the tribes and Stitt seems very strained due to his disrespect towards all tribes in Oklahoma at times.

— Arthur Zamorano, Mustang

The Tribes in Oklahoma were descendants of the first residents of this country and were consequently mistreated by us, the American settlers. Gov. Stitt should give the Tribes the respect they deserve and cease to be at odds with them. Problems should be addressed with full knowledge of issues and with respect and a spirit of conciliation. I don't believe Gov. Stitt has good judgment about what's best for Oklahoma, and this conflict is a flagrant example. It also shows a strain of racism.

— Lindy Adams, Edmond

Governor Stitt should turn over all tribal negotiations to the Legislature and the attorney general. If he refuses to do so, the Legislature should pass laws that takes the power away from the governor's office so long as Stitt is governor.

— Gary Collins, Edmond

Stitt needs to acknowledge the sovereignty of the tribes and the benefit they provide to Oklahoma. Work with them, not against them — try cooperating instead trying to win.

— Leah Gibby, Achille

It's all about respect and the lack of it shown by our Oklahoma Governor Stitt towards the tribes. The tribes help all Oklahomans throughout the state and continue to do so even when our Governor and his team fails to take all citizens into account. I am a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation and feel fortunate my tribe has excellent leadership.

In my humble opinion, if Governor Stitt had addressed all tribes individually and with respect, there would have been so much cooperation with possibly a higher percentage from gaming revenue allocated to the states compact, but his blanket letter addressing the proposed increase along with the illegal back door compacts with smaller tribes, negative campaign ads, spending thousands of state taxpayer dollars on out-of-state law firms to attack tribal sovereignty has paved a road that will be hard to come back from.

I don't understand Governor Stitt's actions of trying to drive a wedge between the tribes and their neighbors on many issues including law enforcement. Pontotoc County has cross deputized city, county and Lighthorse police to provide the best services to our county residents. Why can't this be done throughout Eastern Oklahoma as it has shown to work? We may have to wait out the remaining term and pray for a new state leader that respects and appreciates the tribes.

— William Ward, Ada

The tribes want to work with Gov. Stitt, but he doesn't. I think if he would sit down and listen, he would learn a lot.

— Tom Thompson, Anadarko

I think that there apparently needs to be a mediator. It seems the relationship began on shaky grounds and just continued down that path. I am a registered Cherokee citizen but feel that the tribes got upset and now don't want to listen to anything Gov. Stitt has to say. There should be some middle ground.

— Zella Ruleford, Bixby

The recent precedent-setting case, McGirt v. Oklahoma, ruled that crimes committed by Native Americans on tribal lands must be prosecuted by the federal government or tribal authorities, not the state government. However, Stitt refuses to collaborate with all tribe and recognize this ruling by lack of setting up communication platforms that work unilaterally with all tribes directing issues of concern. He should be implementing a task force to work towards complimenting the ruling — not negating it by saying it's broken. The tribes here in Oklahoma make revenue and that should give the tribes a voice in Oklahoma.

— Royce Gay, Oklahoma

Gov. Stitt is unhappy with the McGirt vs Oklahoma decision by the U.S. Supreme court. Why doesn't he fight the Supreme Court decision instead of fighting the tribes? He lost. The rest of us have to follow the law, why doesn't he? If he were sincere, then the task force make-up would reflect the percentage of native members from our population count compared to Gov. Stitt's appointees. I think we need to get rid of our Gov. Stitt and move on. I think we need to express gratitude to the tribes for all that they contribute to our state. We are all Oklahomans.

— Cadijah Brown, Norman

The incident in Okmulgee he cites is not a result of the McGirt decision but but was more due to too much testosterone and his 5 years of rhetoric regarding the 39 tribes in Oklahoma.

— Michael Oldham, Sapulpa

The fracture can be healed if Gov. Stitt would respect Native sovereignty as he promised when he ran. Native nations come from a place of community, which is the spirit in which all our communications with Oklahoma government has been. The same cannot be said for the Stitt administration. Stitt must come from a place of what is good for all. Only then can we succeed together.

— Frances Danger, Oklahoma City

In recent years the tribes and the governor have treated each other with respect and have worked together to do what’s best for the people of Oklahoma. That was until Stitt decided he was in charge and the tribes were going to do as he said. Not a smart plan! Stitt needs to realize that:

● The tribes are federally recognized nations and not under the state

● The tribes have been very generous to help tribal members as well as other Oklahomans

● The tribes have built and maintained the infrastructure in their reservation area, which is a great savings to the state of Oklahoma

● The tribes have contributed many millions of dollars to the state coffers from their casino compacts and other enterprises

● The tribes are great partners with the state when asked to help and when treated with respect.

● The McGirt decision was handed down by SCOTUS.

Stitt needs to quit punishing the tribes for the decision and figure out how to work together with the tribes, federal and state law enforcement to make it work. If each component comes to the table with an open mind and equal standing, a successful, smooth-running system can be found so that everyone has purpose and Oklahomans are the benefactors.

For negotiating other issues like the gambling compacts, Stitt needs to tread softly and not come in like a bully.

I think the tribal leaders are good people and will work with Stitt if he treats them as the equals that they are, listens to what they have to say, and expects to gives some concessions to come to an agreement all can live with.

— Gayle Graham, Tulsa

I believe our governor needs to respect the tribes for who they truly are and what they represent. As long as his personal feelings are driving his actions, the relationship will never be mended. I believe it comes down to his lack of respect for what the tribe represents and he should search his heart to find out why. It has nothing to do with the “state."

— Bobbi Atkinson, Elk City

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Gov. Stitt, tribes have broken relationship. Readers shared how to fix