Historic agreement between five tribes strengthens sovereignty, conservation efforts in Oklahoma

Gguest’s opinion. When the Cherokee were forced from our ancestral homelands, we brought with us a deep respect for natural resources and wildlife, both in our former lands and in our new homes. From the Trail of Tears beans and other precious seeds sewn into Cherokee clothing for that arduous trek, to the knowledge of how to effectively manage game and fish populations, this deeply ingrained respect was necessary for our survival and integral to our culture. Hunting and fishing are not just Cherokee pastimes; they are intrinsic to our way of life.

For centuries, the Cherokee Nation and neighboring tribes have maintained a deep connection to the land and its resources. The historic Five Tribe Wildlife Management Reciprocity Agreement, recently unveiled at the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes, marks a pivotal moment for the Cherokee Nation, Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Muscogee Nation, and soon the Seminole Nation, as we mutually recognize each other’s hunting and fishing rights and licenses.

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This groundbreaking effort provides greater access for tribal citizens while strengthening tribal sovereignty and cooperation among tribes. Under the agreement, citizens of all member tribes may hunt and fish on our reservations simply by using a tribal identification card or tribal permit. Outdoorsmen who engage in these activities are subject to the laws of the tribe on whose reservation they are hunting or fishing, and it is their responsibility to be aware of and abide by all regulations.

The partnership also extends to our work with state and federal partners. State game wardens, working with participating tribes, will continue to enforce laws on reservation lands and ensure that all activities are conducted in compliance with applicable laws.

The adoption of uniform wildlife codes demonstrates our commitment to success. Our codes, aligned with the state, include comparable season dates and harvest limits. The reciprocal agreement also emphasizes the importance of data-driven management. Each tribe will report baseline harvest data annually, which increases our ability to regulate effectively. All of this increases our ability to effectively protect and manage wildlife while benefiting all Oklahomans, not just tribal citizens.

Special credit must go to Deputy Chief Bryan Warner for his visionary leadership in bringing this agreement to fruition. Under his leadership, as well as the offices of the Attorney General and Secretary of Natural Resources, the Cherokee Nation has long excelled in conservation efforts. Nowhere is that more evident than in the success of the tribe’s hunting preserve in Sequoyah County, created through the Cherokee Nation Park, Wildlands, Fishing and Hunting Preserve Act. It is a model for effective wildlife management and conservation.

As the exclusive tribal authority over our Cherokee Nation Reservation, we have obligations and opportunities in fish and wildlife regulation and management that can benefit everyone if we work hard and are willing to work with partners. As this historic agreement demonstrates, we are doing just that.

The Five Tribe Wildlife Management Reciprocity Agreement is a milestone in our journey toward greater sovereignty and cooperation. By working together, we honor our ancestors, uphold our cultural practices, and protect the lands that have nurtured us for centuries. We must ensure that our natural resources remain abundant and accessible, supporting our way of life and the well-being of all who call Eastern Oklahoma home.

For more information, visit our Cherokee Nation Wildlife Conservation website.

Chuck Hoskin, Jr. is the Chief of the Cherokee Nation.