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Jenner & Block is pleased to announce that a team of six leading lawyers in Native American law and two government relations specialists have joined the firm, significantly expanding the Native American Law Practice’s offerings to clients, including adding government relations capabilities.

The Muscogee (Creek), Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw and Seminole Nations announced today an agreement-in-principle to formalize the positions they share with the State of Oklahoma regarding future legislation following the Supreme Court ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma.

‘The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in McGirt versus Oklahoma is important for the Creek Nation and the other five civilized tribes of Oklahoma,’ says Chief Gary Batton of the Choctaw Nation.

‘We want to ensure the citizens of northeastern Oklahoma continue to receive seamless public safety services. Oklahomans have always been good about working together to achieve a common goal.’

The Native American Journalists Association and Native American Rights Fund developed this reporting guide as a tool for newsrooms reporting on Indian Country.

In a clear win for tribal sovereignty, the Supreme Court held that the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s reservation were never disestablished and the nation’s treaty rights must be upheld.

‘As a Muscogee (Creek) citizen, this decision is more than the court upholding the United States government’s legal obligation as written in treaty, it is the highest court in the land acknowledging that my great-great grandmother’s lands are still ours,’ says Julia Wakeford.

The Supreme Court reaffirmed tribal sovereignty and made clear that promises and treaties cannot be broken just because they are inconvenient for settler-colonialism.

I am proud to stand with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and all of Indian Country in celebrating tribal sovereignty and self-determination, which has been denied to them far too long and far too often.

The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies is hosting a call-in about the U.S. Supreme Court decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma.

It’s here! The U.S. Supreme Court has sided with Indian Country in one of the most consequential cases in recent history.

‘As we move forward addressing longstanding broken promises, this decision will serve as a marker to ensure the federal government honors its promises to Native Nation,’ said Rep. Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico).

‘We applaud the Supreme Court’s ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma, which holds that the Creek Nation’s treaty territory boundaries remain intact,” the Chickasaw Nation said.

‘We are reviewing the decision carefully and stand ready to work with both tribal and state officials to ensure stability and consistency in applying law that brings all criminals to justice,” Oklahoma’s delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives said.

Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) and Sen. James Lankford (R-Oklahoma) issued statements after the Supreme Court ruled in McGirt v. Oklahoma.

‘I agree with Justice Gorsuch’s opinion today that the United States government should be held to its treaty obligations, and its word,’ said Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr., of the Cherokee Nation.

‘The Supreme Court reaffirmed today that when the United States makes promises, the courts will keep those promises,’ said attorney Ian Heath Gershengorn.

‘The Supreme Court today kept the United States’ sacred promise to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of a protected reservation,’ the tribe said in a statement.

Through treaty, the United States ‘solemnly guarantied’ the Muscogee (Creek) Nation their reservation as a ‘permanent home’ for the tribe and its citizens.

‘We have a shared commitment to maintaining public safety and long-term economic prosperity for the Nations and Oklahoma,’ a joint tribal-statement reads.