Journalist: Heidi Hampton (TU)
Senate Joint Resolution OSU-101, written by Senator Covey from Oklahoma State University, details amending qualification language relating to blood quantum for Native American identification and tribal citizenship standards. The resolution aims to replace current language that identifies a minimum requirement of ¼ blood quantum for those who are of Native American descent to identify as such in a legal sense.
The resolution does not aim to change any laws, it does however aim to help the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature and the state of Oklahoma use more inclusive language and definitions relating to Tribal Nations. Senator Covey stated blood quantum is not a concept used by indigenous nations but rather it is a system imposed on Native nations by white oppressors. Blood quantum originated with the Dawes Roll, which was a list of citizens of the five major tribes. The Dawes Roll included information such as name, Tribal Nation, and blood quantum.
The Dawes Commission is especially important to Oklahoma because several tribes were forced to move to Oklahoma and assimilate to the ways of white folks. This directly led to the creation of the commission because land allotments were given to Native folks, but the amount of land they got was determined by which tribe they were a part of and what their blood quantum was listed as on the Roll.
This resolution is important because blood quantum has been used against Native folks in the past and is not an original part of how Tribal Nations viewed their lineage. Using blood quantum is not always accurate due to the rolls not being completely accurate. Using blood quantum also invalidates identities of those who are native with less than ¼ blood quantum.
The resolution states “The use of a fixed one quarter blood quantum standard as a universal qualifier for Native American Identification fails to reflect the diverse citizenship requirements established by individual Tribal Nations”. The resolution also says the universal qualifier of ¼ blood quantum underestimates the amount of people enrolled in Tribal Nations.
With this resolution, language surrounding tribal members will be more inclusive, members of Tribal Nations with less than ¼ blood quantum will be recognized across the board in an official capacity, and the state and OIL will recognize more tribal members that have not been recognized in the past. This new change would also acknowledge individual tribes requirements for citizenship allowing for more tribal autonomy.
The resolution passed in the Senate.