Discourse of Sovereignty and Fiscal Citizenship in Post-McGirt Oklahoma

Daniel R. Alvord, Oklahoma State University

The 2020 landmark McGirt ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court has reshaped the landscape of tribal sovereignty and jurisdictional authority in Oklahoma. Beyond the immediate legal ramifications, the aftermath of McGirt has triggered dynamic political repercussions, particularly concerning questions of citizenship, taxation, and sovereignty. Drawing on previous research highlighting the interplay between tax and sovereignty in settler colonial contexts, this paper situates the case of Oklahoma as a revealing lens through which to examine the complexities of dual sovereignty. Central to this analysis is the exploration of the rhetoric and discourse surrounding citizenship in the post-McGirt context. With the reaffirmation of tribal sovereignty and the jurisdictional reassignment of a significant portion of Oklahoma's land as Indian Reservation, questions surrounding citizenship have become increasingly salient. By conducting content analyses of citizenship and sovereignty rhetoric across multiple administrative spheres, this research aims to unravel the political and administrative battles that have emerged in the wake of McGirt.

No extended abstract or paper available

 Presented in Session 188. Social Movements Across the World