Oklahoma Legislature overrides governor's veto of tribal regalia bill

Source: Associated Press

Oklahoma Legislature overrides governor’s veto of tribal regalia bill

By Sean Murphy
May 25, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma Legislature on Thursday overrode Gov. Kevin Stitt’s veto of a bill that would allow students to wear Native American regalia during high school and college graduations.

The state House and Senate easily cleared the two-thirds threshold needed to uphold the measure, which takes effect July 1 and had strong support from many Oklahoma-based tribes and Native American citizens.

It would allow any student at a public school, including colleges, universities and technology centers, to wear tribal regalia such as traditional garments, jewelry or other adornments during official graduation ceremonies. Weapons such as a bow and arrow, tomahawk or war hammer are specifically prohibited.

Stitt, a Cherokee Nation citizen who has feuded with many Oklahoma-based Native American tribes throughout his two terms in office, vetoed the bill earlier this month, saying at the time that the decision should be up to individual districts.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/native-american-tribal-regalia-oklahoma-veto-override-418f81adba2937a2d0a4eecae2c2eede