In a landmark move toward cooperation and strengthened public safety, Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols and Muscogee Nation Principal Chief David Hill jointly announced this week a sett lement agreement between the City of Tulsa and the Muscogee Nation. The agreement effectively ends ongoing litigation and paves the way for a more collaborative future in the exercise of criminal jurisdiction within the city limits that fall inside the Muscogee Reservation. The agreement maintains current enforcement practices but i n t ro du c es a critical change: City of Tulsa municipal cases involving tribal citizens – of any federally recognized tribe – will now be transferred to the Muscogee Nation’s tribal court, provided the offense occurred within the Reservation boundaries.

“This agreement keeps all enforcement actions the same,” officials stated, “but outlines that City of Tulsa municipal cases will be sent to the Muscogee Nation tribal court if the defendant maintains tribal status and whose case was initiated in the city limits of Tulsa that lie within the boundaries of the Muscogee Nation.”

Additionally, the settlement creates a working group – set to convene within 30 days – to address procedural matters tied to public safety. Over the next eight months, this group will solidify key logistical frameworks related to booking, detention, special services, lab testing, property handling, extradition and communication protocols.

Mayor Nichols hailed the agreement as a milestone in intergovernmental relations.

“First, I want to thank Principal Chief David Hill and the Muscogee Nation for entrusting us with the work ahead and for the good faith efforts in creating a path forward that has not been accomplished in more than five years,” Mayor Nichols said. “The collaboration and communication between our governments has been tremendous, and I look forward to our next step in this process. As mayor, I pledged to make Tulsa the safest big city in the country and to co-govern with our tribal partners. Today, with this agreement, we are establishing systems to ensure that we move forward on both of those pledges with a solid framework. Our city can only benefit if we collaborate and approach our work together rather than individually. We are stronger together, and we can show the nation how municipalities and tribal governments can work together to create better outcomes for all our residents.”

Chief Hill also expressed confidence in the future of tribal-city relations, especially as the fifth anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s McGirt decision approaches. “As we get closer to next month’s five-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s monumental McGirt decision, I am reminded and find myself very proud of the significant strides the Nation has made to increase its law enforcement and judicial capabilities to meet the demands necessary for responsible governance of our Reservation,” Chief Hill said. “These efforts by the Nation to provide robust public safety priorities in our communities are enhanced when we are able to work closely in cooperation with state and local agency partners. Today, a clear example of this partnership has been realized by the settlement reached between the Nation and the City of Tulsa regarding the exercise of criminal jurisdiction within city limits on the Reservation. I applaud and appreciate the vision of Mayor Nichols in advocating a policy for reaching solutions with Tribes – rather than litigating – on these issues of mutual importance for citizens and visitors in Tulsa, both Indian and non-Indian alike. While the Nation and Tulsa have reached a settlement today, I know that the real work for implementing the terms of this collaboration is just beginning. However, I look forward to working with Mayor Nichols and his team as we show the rest of the state what responsible and respectful co-governance on the Reservation can look like.”

The agreement does not apply to state or federal cases. Importantly, it also does not restrict law enforcement operations or compromise public safety. Tulsa Police will continue enforcing traffic and municipal laws, regardless of a driver’s tribal status, with citations involving tribal members later transferred to the tribal court system. Violent crimes involving tribal citizens will continue to be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The agreement explicitly clarifies that it does not:

• Create a separate set of laws for tribal citizens.

• Prevent law enforcement from protecting their communities.

• Restrict the Tulsa Police Department’s ability to function.

• Relate to recent gun violence incidents in Tulsa.

• Compromise the overall safety of the city.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. also applauded the development, offering a pointed contrast with state leadership.

“I applaud the City of Tulsa and Muscogee Nation for reaching a resolution that protects tribal sovereignty and enhances public safety for all,” Hoskin said. “Mayor Monroe Nichols and Chief David Hill have demonstrated thoughtful leadership in reaching this agreement. Far on the other end of the spectrum is Governor Kevin Stitt, whose ignorance of the fundamentals of tribal sovereignty and cooperative governance within tribal reservations is astounding. Governor Stitt remains hopelessly on the wrong side of history while the rest of us chart a course for co-governing alongside tribes in the 21st century.”

Both parties emphasized the agreement as a living framework that allows for continued evaluation and refinement. Mayor Nichols also noted intentions to work with other tribal nations to establish similar partnerships, further reinforcing Tulsa’s commitment to tribal sovereignty and inclusive governance.

For more details on the agreement and frequently asked questions, visit www.cityoftulsa.org/mayor/tribal-nations.