Oklahoma Secretary of Native American Affairs explained

The Oklahoma Secretary of Native American Affairs is a cabinet-level executive official in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The office was created in January 2019. The position has been vacant since September 2023.

History

When debating the creation of the Oklahoma Native American Affairs Liaison, Paul Wesselhoft advocated for the creation of a permanent Oklahoma Secretary of Native American Affairs; however, the Oklahoma Legislature instead created the liaison position and gave the Governor of Oklahoma the discretion to appoint a Secretary of Native American Affairs whenever they see fit. While the governor has discretion to decide whether or not to appoint a Secretary of Native American Affairs, if they choose to appoint one the nominee must be approved by the Oklahoma Senate. By contrast, the liaison position requires no senate approval.

The Oklahoma Secretary of Native American Affairs was first created as a cabinet-level position within the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet by Governor Kevin Stitt in January 2019. The first Secretary to serve was Chickasaw Nation citizen Lisa Johnson Billy.[1] Johnson resigned in December 2019, citing the Stitt's administration's handling of tribal gaming compacts with the state.[2] The second secretary, Brian Bingman, resigned on September 13, 2023 to run for corporation commissioner in 2024. The office has been vacant since September 2023.

The office may be held simultaneously with the office of Oklahoma Native American Affairs Liaison.

List of officeholders

NameTerm startTerm endPartyTribeGovernorNotesReferences
January 2019December 2019RepublicanChickasaw NationKevin Stitt[3] [4]
October 2020September 13, 2023RepublicanMuscogee NationKevin StittHeld concurrently with the positions of Oklahoma Secretary of State[5] [6]

Notes and References

  1. News: Savage . Tres . Lisa Billy resigns as Gov. Stitt's secretary of Native American affairs . 6 September 2023 . NonDoc . December 23, 2019.
  2. News: Ellis . Randy . Oklahoma Secretary of Native American Affairs resigns from governor's cabinet, citing disagreement over gaming compacts . 6 September 2023 . . December 24, 2019.
  3. News: Savage . Tres . Lisa Billy resigns as Gov. Stitt's secretary of Native American affairs . 6 September 2023 . NonDoc . December 23, 2019.
  4. News: Young . Molly . Oklahoma governor taps new Native affairs liaison as criticism from tribal leaders grows . 6 September 2023 . . September 5, 2023.
  5. News: Washington . Destiny . Gov. Stitt names Brian Bingman as new Secretary of State and Native American Affairs . 6 September 2023 . . October 12, 2020.
  6. News: Young . Molly . Oklahoma's new Native affairs liaison says he'll repair relations. Critics doubt it. 17 September 2023 . . September 17, 2023.