7 days ago
Oklahoma lawmakers overrides Stitt's veto of the Missing Murder Indigenous Persons funding
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma lawmakers overrode Gov. Kevin Stitt and passed the bill allowing state funding for the Office of Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons.
Earlier this month, Stitt vetoed the bipartisan bill saying, that while he supports efforts to solve missing persons and homicide cases, he could not endorse legislation that singles out victims based solely on their race.
The unit within the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation will focus exclusively on missing and murdered American Indians.
Rep. Ron Stewart, D-Tulsa, who authored the bill, celebrated the veto override.
'Today, the Oklahoma Legislature demonstrated its unwavering commitment to justice and accountability by overriding the Governor's veto of House Bill 1137. I am deeply grateful to my colleagues in both chambers–Democrats and Republicans–who stood together to prioritize the safety and dignity of Indigenous communities across our state.
Rep. Ron Stewart, D-Tulsa
This vote is more than a legislative victory–it is a moral affirmation that missing and murdered Indigenous persons will not be forgotten or ignored in Oklahoma, he said.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr., and the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma praised the lawmakers.
'This is a powerful and heartfelt step forward in the fight for justice,' said Margo Gray, Executive Director of United Indian Nations of Oklahoma. 'We are profoundly grateful to the legislators in both chambers who stood with Native families, survivors, and advocates across Oklahoma.'
According to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), in 2016, there were 5,712 reports of missing American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls. However, the agency reported that NamUs only logged 116 cases, a significantly lower number than the number reported by the federal agency.
In Oklahoma, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation lists just 88 missing American Indians, including many Cherokee residents.
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