- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
The Five Civilized Tribes of Oklahoma announced a wildlife management reciprocity agreement that will allow tribal citizens of the Cherokee Nation, Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Muscogee Nation, and soon the Seminole Nation to enjoy hunting and fishing in participating tribes’ treaty territories.
The announcement was made Friday by the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes during its July quarterly meeting at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. In the agreement called the Five Tribe Wildlife Management Reciprocity Agreement tribal citizens will be allowed to hunt or fish using licenses issued through their own tribe on each other tribal respective reservation land. Most tribes allow tribal membership cards to serve as their credential or license.
Hunting and fishing licenses were made available to tribal members and citizens in October 2022.
For Cherokee Nation Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. the wildlife management reciprocity agreement demonstrates the strength of collective tribal sovereignty.
“For the past two years, this has proven to be a highly successful initiative for both the tribe and our outdoor sportsmen. This new Five Tribes agreement makes hunting and fishing in eastern Oklahoma more sustainable, and more diverse for all our citizens. The adoption of uniform codes by all tribal governments involved is a significant accomplishment and demonstrates the strength of our collective sovereignty,” Hoskin said in a statement.
"Hunting and fishing are inherent treaty rights among our five tribal nations and have been vital to food security for generations of Cherokees," Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said. "As Cherokees, we can use tribal citizenship photo IDs to hunt and fish on our 7,000-square-mile reservation.
All Oklahoma residents with valid state-issued hunting and fishing licenses are eligible to hunt and fish within these tribal treaty territories in accordance with all applicable laws.
State game wardens cross-deputized with the respective tribes can ticket and enforce laws on these reservations, as well. The Tribes indicated that they look forward to working with State and Federal partners as they implement this agreement and continue to identify partnerships for advancing wildlife conservation.
This agreement will allow the five tribes to collaborate on wildlife management within their reservations and enhance their ability to effectively manage natural resources in a sustainable manner.
The reciprocity agreement states hunting and fishing activities by tribal members and citizens under this agreement will be subject to the laws of the tribe on whose reservation the activity is taking place. It is the responsibility of the individuals engaging in these activities in the various reservations to know and abide by any applicable laws. Tribal citizens will also be responsible for securing permissions to access land owned by others to engage in hunting and fishing, though each Tribe will manage programs to provide access to Tribally owned areas.
More Stories Like This
50 Years of Self-Determination: How a Landmark Act Empowered Tribal Sovereignty and Transformed Federal-Tribal RelationsMuscogee 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
Groundbreaking Held for Western Navajo Pipeline Phase I – LeChee Water System Improvement Project
Navajo Citizens Voice Mixed Reactions to Trump’s Coal Executive Order at Public Hearing
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.
The 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
