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
editWhen 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.[1]
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.[2] Johnson resigned in December 2019, citing the Stitt's administration's handling of tribal gaming compacts with the state.[3] 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.[1]
The office may be held simultaneously with the office of Oklahoma Native American Affairs Liaison.[1]
List of officeholders
edit| Name | Term start | Term end | Party | Tribe | Governor | Notes | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisa Johnson Billy | January 2019 | December 2019 | Republican | Chickasaw Nation | Kevin Stitt | [4][5] | |
| Brian Bingman | October 2020 | September 13, 2023 | Republican | Muscogee Nation | Kevin Stitt | Held concurrently with the positions of Oklahoma Secretary of State | [5][6][1] |
References
edit- ^ a b c d Young, Molly (September 17, 2023). "Oklahoma's new Native affairs liaison says he'll repair relations. Critics doubt it". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
- ^ Savage, Tres (December 23, 2019). "Lisa Billy resigns as Gov. Stitt's secretary of Native American affairs". NonDoc. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ^ Ellis, Randy (December 24, 2019). "Oklahoma Secretary of Native American Affairs resigns from governor's cabinet, citing disagreement over gaming compacts". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ^ Savage, Tres (December 23, 2019). "Lisa Billy resigns as Gov. Stitt's secretary of Native American affairs". NonDoc. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ^ a b Young, Molly (September 5, 2023). "Oklahoma governor taps new Native affairs liaison as criticism from tribal leaders grows". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ^ Washington, Destiny (October 12, 2020). "Gov. Stitt names Brian Bingman as new Secretary of State and Native American Affairs". KOKH-TV. Retrieved 6 September 2023.