Gov Stitt (OK) squashed bill that would protect Native students' right to wear feathers and regalia

[diva77]

Email blast from Native American Rights Fund (NARF) 5-3-2023

This week the governor of Oklahoma squashed a highly popular bill that would protect the rights of Native students in his state to wear eagle feathers and regalia at their graduation ceremonies and other ceremonies. The bill was not controversial, having passed both houses of the Oklahoma legislature with bilateral, almost unanimous support.

Tribal leaders have already publicly condemned Governor Stitt's actions, pointing out that it is divisive and disrespectful to Native Americans.

The veto is a targeted assault on Native students’ religious freedom rights and sends the message that students must assimilate and choose between honoring their culture and religious beliefs and celebrating their success. NARF has long fought to protect Native students' rights. We look forward to a time when schools are focused on educating our children, not assimilating them.

Sincerely,

Donald M. Ragona
Director of Development/House Counsel
Native American Rights Fund

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

1. Oklahoma governor steps up fight with lawmakers by vetoing indigenous garb bill

Gov. Kevin Stitt (R-OK) vetoed a bipartisan-supported bill to allow students to wear indigenous garb at graduation ceremonies, arguing that it would open a "Pandora's box."

The veto comes amid a wider pattern of the governor using his veto power to pressure state legislators to pass bills of his desire, such as those regarding school choice and tax cuts. He dismissed the bills the legislature was trying to pass as catering to "lobbyists and special interest groups" and has continued to show his willingness to veto nearly everything sent his way until the legislature caves. He vetoed 20 different Senate bills over the course of one week last week.

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Stitt, who himself is a member of the Cherokee nation, has been embroiled in a long-running feud with the tribes of Oklahoma, stemming from his efforts to get their casinos to pay a higher revenue rate. Nearly all of the 49 tribes united against the governor during the last gubernatorial election, the New York Times reported.


In his veto message, Stitt said that passing the bill would open a “proverbial Pandora’s box” for groups to “demand special favor to wear whatever they please to a formal ceremony,” Tulsa World reported.

“If school districts want to allow students to wear tribal regalia at graduation, good on them; but if schools prefer students to wear only traditional cap and gown, the legislature shouldn’t stand in their way,” he added.


SB 429 was authored by two Republicans, State Sen. John Michael Montgomery, and State Rep. Trey Caldwell, who expressed surprise at the veto.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/oklahoma-governor-steps-up-fight-with-lawmakers-by-vetoing-indigenous-garb-bill/ar-AA1aGTlf

[diva77]

2. Thanks for posting this article - important details in it that weren't in the OP

[roamer65]

3. Time for the State of Sequoyah.

[diva77]

8. interesting history about that

you inspired me to google it

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_Sequoyah#See_also

[Behind the Aegis]

4. Oklahoma governor signs gender-affirming care ban for kids

Oklahoma on Monday became the latest state to ban gender-affirming medical care for minors as Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill that makes it a felony for health care workers to provide children with treatments that can include puberty-blocking drugs and hormones.

Oklahoma joins at least 15 other states with laws banning such care, as conservatives across the country have targeted transgender rights.

Stitt, who was reelected in November, made the ban a priority of this year’s legislative session, saying he wanted to protect children. Transgender advocates and parents of transgender children say such care is essential.

Stitt signed bills last year that prohibit transgender girls and women from playing on female sports teams and prevent transgender children from using school bathrooms that correspond to their gender identity.

more...

BTW...you misspelled his name. It is "Shitt". Please make a note of it.

[diva77]

7. This whole pattern wreaks of dark money.

[Behind the Aegis]

9. Without a doubt!

It is crazy in this state right now. It is becoming dangerous.

[EndlessWire]

5. Can't the Cherokee Nation

kick him out of the tribe? They must have some rule or something.

I happen to love Regalia. They are achievement symbols that you can keep forever, and wear later at appropriate functions. Some are pretty, some are ugly, but all are YOURS. I used to research such regalia for fun. I saw some STUNNING regalia that were from Native American tribes. Just brilliant. I can certainly see how someone might be jealous of such regalia, but it is hard to fathom how anyone could deny the statement that they make.

You get to dress up your basic school regalia with various flourishes of achievement, associations, etc. You should be able to display what you want within the rules. Most schools, if not all, will not let you walk if you are not dressed in regalia. Kudos to those schools who understand the pride that Native American students feel, and allow that expression.

Honestly, kick him out...doesn't sound like you'll lose anything...

[diva77]

6. interesting thoughts about regalia - if you have links to some of the stunning pics, would be great

to see them!

[PufPuf23]

10. Curtis Collection - Historic not contemporary

From Library of Congress

https://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/ecur/

[diva77]

11. thank you!