Southwest Oklahoma (KSWO) - The Kiowa Tribe is expanding its sovereignty by setting up its own court system, completing the new government established by a new constitution established in 2017.
“As a government, and a complete sovereign government, we are going to have all components in place to take care of our civil issues, our business issues, and our criminal issues,” Kiowa Tribe chairman Lawrence SpottedBird said.
Vice chairman Jacob Tsotigh said establishing this court is the last step needed to complete their new government.
“This new system established four branches of government, the Kiowa Indian Council, the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch. We are just now poised to implement the judicial branch fully as the last remaining leg of our four-leg stool of government.”
SpottedBird said taking that power back completes their sovereignty.
“Now, we are a complete tribal government.”
A grand opening for the court will be held on January 3.
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