fbpx
facebook app symbol  twitter  linkedin  instagram 1
 

The Oklahoma Supreme Court has ruled that a citizen of the Muscogee Nation must pay state income taxes, even though she resides within the boundaries of the Muscogee reservation and earned all her income from within that territory.

In a 6-3 decision issued Tuesday, July 1, the court rejected Alicia Stroble’s appeal of a ruling by the Oklahoma Tax Commission, which held her liable for state income taxes for the years 2017, 2018, and 2019. Stroble had argued the Tax Commission’s decision conflicted with the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark 2020 ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma, which affirmed that the Muscogee (Creek) reservation was never disestablished by Congress.

Never miss Indian Country’s biggest stories and breaking news. Sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. 

Stroble maintained that under McGirt, all land within the reservation’s boundaries—including privately owned “fee” land—should be recognized as “Indian country,” and therefore exempt from state taxation for tribal citizens. However, the Oklahoma Supreme Court disagreed, ruling that the McGirt decision does not shield reservation residents from state income tax obligations.

After the verdict, Muscogee Nation Principal Chief David W. Hill released the following statement:

“The Muscogee Nation is disappointed in the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s ruling today in Stroble v. Oklahoma Tax Commission departing from well-settled law originally recognized by the United States Supreme Court over 50 years ago and that is inconsistent with the State’s own administrative tax rules.  Ever since the McGirt ruling, we have seen Oklahoma state courts go through legal gymnastics to come up with results that are not in compliance with federal law and that do not even follow pre-McGirt state court precedent on the limits of state authority in Indian country.  The Stroble ruling is another sad example of those antics.  We know that this ruling could have broad implications for Indian Country, so we are carefully reviewing the decision with our legal team and preparing for the next steps.  While it is important to remember that the Muscogee Nation cannot provide legal advice on individual tax cases to citizens, the Nation will remain diligent in coordination and communication of what our response will be.”

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt issued a statement on the decision:

This is a big win for the future of Oklahoma. From day one, I’ve fought to make sure every Oklahoman is treated equally.

Tribal governments, liberal groups, and some elected officials have pushed for special tax exemptions that would create a two-tiered system — one set of rules for tribal citizens and another for everyone else. That’s wrong. It would divide our state and weaken the public services every family relies on.

This ruling makes it clear that attempts to expand McGirt into civil and tax matters have no basis in the law. We are one Oklahoma. And as long as I’m Governor, we aren’t going backwards.

More Stories Like This

50 Years of Self-Determination: How a Landmark Act Empowered Tribal Sovereignty and Transformed Federal-Tribal Relations
Suquamish Tribe Remains a Major Economic Driver in Kitsap County and Beyond, New Study Finds
Muscogee Nation and City of Tulsa Reach Agreement on Criminal Jurisdiction and Public Safety Collaboration
Panel on Ethical Tribal Engagement at OU Highlights Healing, Research and Sovereignty

Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions

At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.

The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.

Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.

This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.

We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.

Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.

Levi headshotThe stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.

Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.

Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher

 
 
About The Author
Levi Rickert
Author: Levi RickertEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Levi "Calm Before the Storm" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at [email protected].