By Journalist Amaya Brooks (OBU)
As an afternoon of bills begins, representatives in the house begin to hear more and more legislation. One of the most amazing parts about OIL is the vast categories and issues that bills cover, the different walks of life that Senators and Representatives alike come from, and the specializations and interests of esteemed OIL members.
Representative Gomez is the perfect representation of this unique aspect of OIL. Her bill, SE-504, uniquely affects and has to do with tribal relations in the state of Oklahoma. “My bill is MMIP alert which is Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Alert. It is the same as an amber alert or silver alert for elderly, but this puts an alert out for an indigenous person that may be in imminent danger.”
This bill would create more avenues to ensure the safety of indigenous peoples in the state of Oklahoma. According to Representative Gomez, “Earlier in the year SB 172 was passed where Oklahoma would get federal funding to create a database for MMIP alert. But that bill doesn’t specifically say this is how we’re going to be using these funds. My bill will actually give it some direction.”
Representative Gomez has a passion for representing issues that affect the tribes and actively works with the tribes in the state of Oklahoma to advocate for change and accountability in the relations between tribes and the state. Her bill reflects this desire. “Oklahoma is really known as Indian Country and so we should be the prime example of how to work with our tribes. This builds the relationship with states and tribes, letting them know that we are for them and not against them.”
The problem of accountability for law enforcement when it comes to how it affects native people. Representative Gomez points this out, saying, “Native people experience 2.5 times more violence than any other race. In ages 10-24, the third leading cause of deaths in natives is homicide. In older natives, the leading cause of death is homicide, which lets us know that the people need help.” Her bill does this. It creates more avenues for Oklahomans to be more aware of the danger and state of native peoples in the state of Oklahoma.