OKLAHOMA CITY — Governor Kevin Stitt's key adviser is stepping down amid gaming compact negotiations with the Oklahoma tribes.
Secretary of Native American Affairs Lisa J. Billy announced her resignation to Gov. Stitt Monday.
In Billy's letter, she states that Gov. Stitt is "committed to an unnecessary conflict that poses a real risk of lasting damage to the State-Tribal relationship and to our economy."
Dear Governor Stitt:
It has been an honor to serve as Oklahoma’s first Secretary of Native American Affairs. I will always appreciate your giving me the opportunity. It is accordingly with a heavy heart that I must resign.
I had hoped service on your cabinet would allow me to be part of a new Administration’s efforts to deepen and strengthen State relations with Sovereign Tribal Nations. Leaning in to this opportunity, I have, at my own expense, visited elected tribal leaders across the State, hosted a tribal youth summit, created opportunities for our cabinet to tour Tribal industry, communicated your message to various Inter-Tribal councils, and shared cultural protocol appropriate to supporting effective intergovernmental collaboration. All my efforts have focused on improving the health of the State-Tribal relationship. I am proud of this work and, again, am grateful for having had the opportunity.
However, it has become increasingly clear you are committed to an unnecessary conflict that poses a real risk of lasting damage to the State-Tribal relationship and to our economy. You have dismissed advice and facts that show the peril of your chosen approach and have remained intent on breaking faith with the Tribes, both by refusing to engage with the compact’s language and, more recently, by suggesting you would displace our Tribal partners with private, out-of-state commercial gaming operators. Your actions have shown that my continuing in service on your cabinet is unnecessary to you and impossible for me. I must accordingly resign, effective immediately.
Thank you again for the opportunity to serve. I will continue to work and to pray for the great state of Oklahoma and all her citizens!
Respectfully,
Lisa J. Billy Secretary of Native American Affairs
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