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[edit]
When 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 | Held concurrently with the position of Oklahoma Native American Affairs Liaison | [4][5] |
| Brian Bingman | October 2020 | September 13, 2023 | Republican | Muscogee Nation | Kevin Stitt | Held concurrently with the positions of Oklahoma Secretary of State and Oklahoma Native American Affairs Liaison | [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.