By: Citizen Potawatomi Nation Chairman John A. “Rocky” Barrett
The Citizen Potawatomi Nation has engaged in discussions with the office of Oklahoma’s Governor, and we have reached terms on an extended tobacco compact. These terms are mutually beneficial to the Nation and to the State. This compact is a tangible confirmation of our continued belief that both the Nation and the State do better when we work together. We are grateful that through these discussions, we have avoided unnecessary conflict, uncertainty, and economic disruption. The Nation is always willing to discuss matters of mutual interest with State officials on this and other overlapping priorities.
The Citizen Potawatomi Nation is aware that the Chickasaw Nation has recently entered into another compact with the State regarding vehicle tags. This is the Chickasaw Nation’s sovereign prerogative, and the Citizen Potawatomi Nation respects all Tribal Nations’ rights to conduct their own affairs and to define their interactions with other governments.
The Citizen Potawatomi Nation has exercised self-governance over vehicle tags for decades without the necessity of an agreement with the State. However, the Nation is willing to discuss the issue of vehicle tags with State officials. Through these ongoing conversations, if an agreement is deemed necessary by both parties, we are confident we can reach terms that preserve the Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s long and well-conducted self-governance over its citizens’ vehicle tags and promote longstanding cooperative commitment by the State and the Nation to the protection of public safety in the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.
