Sarah Liese
@smliese.bsky.social
✜ Diné and Turtle Mountain Chippewa
✜ Indigenous Affairs Reporter
✜ News Tips: sarah@kosu.org
✜ Indigenous Affairs Reporter
✜ News Tips: sarah@kosu.org
Reposted by Sarah Liese
The Oklahoma City Thunder is celebrating Native American Heritage Month this November with new uniforms. But as Thunder DJ Emcee One discussed in a recent interview with KOSU's @smliese.bsky.social, Indigenous representation grooves on all season long.
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
Emcee One talks Indigenous representation, spinning beats for Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder is celebrating Native American Heritage Month this November with slick, City Edition uniforms. But as Thunder DJ Emcee One discussed in a recent interview, Indigenous represe...
www.kosu.org
November 25, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The Oklahoma City Thunder is celebrating Native American Heritage Month this November with new uniforms. But as Thunder DJ Emcee One discussed in a recent interview with KOSU's @smliese.bsky.social, Indigenous representation grooves on all season long.
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
Reposted by Sarah Liese
A federal appeals court has upheld an Oklahoma law prohibiting minors from accessing gender-affirming treatments, reinforcing a growing trend of legal support for such bans across the country.
www.kosu.org/health/2025-...
www.kosu.org/health/2025-...
Federal court upholds decision to ban youth access to gender-affirming care in Oklahoma
A federal appeals court has upheld an Oklahoma law prohibiting minors from accessing gender-affirming care, reinforcing a growing trend of legal support for such bans across the country.
www.kosu.org
August 8, 2025 at 2:39 PM
A federal appeals court has upheld an Oklahoma law prohibiting minors from accessing gender-affirming treatments, reinforcing a growing trend of legal support for such bans across the country.
www.kosu.org/health/2025-...
www.kosu.org/health/2025-...
Reposted by Sarah Liese
BREAKING: The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians is sounding the alarm over a draft of Congressional language.
UKB leaders say the language would terminate the tribe’s right to trust land as well as its basic economic development rights.
www.kosu.org/news/2025-08...
UKB leaders say the language would terminate the tribe’s right to trust land as well as its basic economic development rights.
www.kosu.org/news/2025-08...
Tribal nation sounds alarm over potential legislation hindering its economic, trust land rights
The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians is sounding the alarm over a draft of Congressional language.
www.kosu.org
August 5, 2025 at 10:32 PM
BREAKING: The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians is sounding the alarm over a draft of Congressional language.
UKB leaders say the language would terminate the tribe’s right to trust land as well as its basic economic development rights.
www.kosu.org/news/2025-08...
UKB leaders say the language would terminate the tribe’s right to trust land as well as its basic economic development rights.
www.kosu.org/news/2025-08...
Reposted by Sarah Liese
As a citizen and employee of the Muscogee Nation who lives on its reservation, Alicia Stroble believed she was exempt from Oklahoma's income tax.
But the state's Supreme Court ruled against her. The case could alter tribal sovereignty post-McGirt.
www.kosu.org/local-news/2...
But the state's Supreme Court ruled against her. The case could alter tribal sovereignty post-McGirt.
www.kosu.org/local-news/2...
Oklahoma tax case could affect tribes nationwide if brought to Supreme Court
Alicia Stroble sat before the Oklahoma Supreme Court more than a year ago, surrounded by tribal attorneys and backed by the state’s five major tribes.
www.kosu.org
August 6, 2025 at 4:16 PM
As a citizen and employee of the Muscogee Nation who lives on its reservation, Alicia Stroble believed she was exempt from Oklahoma's income tax.
But the state's Supreme Court ruled against her. The case could alter tribal sovereignty post-McGirt.
www.kosu.org/local-news/2...
But the state's Supreme Court ruled against her. The case could alter tribal sovereignty post-McGirt.
www.kosu.org/local-news/2...
Reposted by Sarah Liese
A new migrant detention center in Florida coined "Alligator Alcatraz" sits on historic Indigenous land.
The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma is joining forces with two tribes in Florida to fight the construction.
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma is joining forces with two tribes in Florida to fight the construction.
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
Seminole Nation of Oklahoma officials stand in solidarity with Florida tribal nations against 'Alligator Alcatraz'
Seminole Nation of Oklahoma leaders are joining hands with Indigenous leaders in Florida, uniting against an immigrant detention center in the Florida Everglades because it is located on ancestral hom...
www.kosu.org
June 30, 2025 at 4:21 PM
A new migrant detention center in Florida coined "Alligator Alcatraz" sits on historic Indigenous land.
The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma is joining forces with two tribes in Florida to fight the construction.
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma is joining forces with two tribes in Florida to fight the construction.
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
⚡️The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA championship, and fans celebrated loudly in downtown OKC. A parade celebrating the historic victory is set for Tuesday morning. #thunderup
📸: @kosuradio.bsky.social
📸: @kosuradio.bsky.social
June 23, 2025 at 7:37 AM
⚡️The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA championship, and fans celebrated loudly in downtown OKC. A parade celebrating the historic victory is set for Tuesday morning. #thunderup
📸: @kosuradio.bsky.social
📸: @kosuradio.bsky.social
Reposted by Sarah Liese
A nickel refinery in Lawton, Oklahoma, hoping to help solve America’s critical minerals crisis, has spurred questions over the strength of Indigenous sovereignty.
KOSU's @smliese.bsky.social dives into the debate.
www.kosu.org/energy-envir...
KOSU's @smliese.bsky.social dives into the debate.
www.kosu.org/energy-envir...
Westwin Elements' dream for America and swirling questions of tribal sovereignty, health in Oklahoma
A nickel refinery in Lawton, hoping to help solve America’s critical minerals crisis, has been the center of debate. After facing pushback from three local tribes, questions loom over the strength of ...
www.kosu.org
June 16, 2025 at 8:08 PM
A nickel refinery in Lawton, Oklahoma, hoping to help solve America’s critical minerals crisis, has spurred questions over the strength of Indigenous sovereignty.
KOSU's @smliese.bsky.social dives into the debate.
www.kosu.org/energy-envir...
KOSU's @smliese.bsky.social dives into the debate.
www.kosu.org/energy-envir...
Reposted by Sarah Liese
Indigenous representation continues its momentum in the entertainment industry, and the 25th deadCenter Film Festival has a lineup of films to show it.
KOSU's @smliese.bsky.social spoke with @joeytainment.bsky.social about his short film "Pow!" ahead of the event.
www.kosu.org/arts-culture...
KOSU's @smliese.bsky.social spoke with @joeytainment.bsky.social about his short film "Pow!" ahead of the event.
www.kosu.org/arts-culture...
deadCenter Film Festival kicks off this week, highlighting growing Indigenous representation in entertainment industry
Indigenous representation continues its momentum in the entertainment industry, and the 25th annual deadCenter Film Festival in Oklahoma City has a lineup of films to show for it.
www.kosu.org
June 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Indigenous representation continues its momentum in the entertainment industry, and the 25th deadCenter Film Festival has a lineup of films to show it.
KOSU's @smliese.bsky.social spoke with @joeytainment.bsky.social about his short film "Pow!" ahead of the event.
www.kosu.org/arts-culture...
KOSU's @smliese.bsky.social spoke with @joeytainment.bsky.social about his short film "Pow!" ahead of the event.
www.kosu.org/arts-culture...
Reposted by Sarah Liese
The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, headquartered in Anadarko, and the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California filed a legal complaint last week to hold the United States accountable for the federal Indian boarding school system and its policies.
www.kosu.org/news/2025-05...
www.kosu.org/news/2025-05...
Oklahoma tribal nation sues U.S. government over federal Indian boarding schools
The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, headquartered in Anadarko, and the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California filed a legal complaint last week to hold the United States accountable for the federal Indi...
www.kosu.org
May 29, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, headquartered in Anadarko, and the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California filed a legal complaint last week to hold the United States accountable for the federal Indian boarding school system and its policies.
www.kosu.org/news/2025-05...
www.kosu.org/news/2025-05...
Reposted by Sarah Liese
Heirs of over 17,000 deceased Individual Indian Money account holders have until June 30 to claim compensation.
www.kosu.org/local-news/2...
www.kosu.org/local-news/2...
More than 4,100 Oklahomans have yet to claim Native American settlement awards
Heirs of over 17,000 deceased Individual Indian Money account holders have until June 30 to claim compensation.
www.kosu.org
May 29, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Heirs of over 17,000 deceased Individual Indian Money account holders have until June 30 to claim compensation.
www.kosu.org/local-news/2...
www.kosu.org/local-news/2...
Reposted by Sarah Liese
The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, known as NABS, is losing critical grant funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities due to cuts made by the Trump administration.
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
Indian boarding school preservation efforts halted after Trump administration cuts funding
The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, known as NABS, is losing critical grant funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities due to cuts made by the Trump administrat...
www.kosu.org
April 22, 2025 at 9:57 PM
The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, known as NABS, is losing critical grant funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities due to cuts made by the Trump administration.
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
Reposted by Sarah Liese
'Medicine River' reckons with the legacy of Indian boarding schools — through a daughter's eyes
Review: 'Medicine River' reckons with the legacy of Indian boarding schools — through a daughter's eyes
In "Medicine River," Mary Annette Pember grapples with the harrowing legacy of boarding schools for Native Americans and the trauma they inflicted on her own family.
www.latimes.com
April 21, 2025 at 12:26 PM
'Medicine River' reckons with the legacy of Indian boarding schools — through a daughter's eyes
Reposted by Sarah Liese
Jimcy McGirt, the man behind the landmark McGirt v. Oklahoma U.S. Supreme Court case, which reaffirmed the sovereignty of several Oklahoma tribes, will face a jury in the Eastern District Court of Oklahoma under felony charges.
www.kosu.org/local-news/2...
www.kosu.org/local-news/2...
Man behind Oklahoma's 'McGirt' case will face new jury trial this summer
Jimcy McGirt, the man behind the landmark McGirt v. Oklahoma U.S. Supreme Court case, which reaffirmed the sovereignty of several Oklahoma tribes, will face a jury in the Eastern District Court of Okl...
www.kosu.org
April 17, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Jimcy McGirt, the man behind the landmark McGirt v. Oklahoma U.S. Supreme Court case, which reaffirmed the sovereignty of several Oklahoma tribes, will face a jury in the Eastern District Court of Oklahoma under felony charges.
www.kosu.org/local-news/2...
www.kosu.org/local-news/2...
Reposted by Sarah Liese
More than a century after U.S. Indian boarding schools attempted to erase Indigenous cultures and languages, tribal nations in Oklahoma are working to reclaim and teach their languages to the youth.
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
Language lives on for tribes in Oklahoma despite determined erasure attempts
More than a century after U.S. Indian boarding schools attempted to erase Indigenous cultures and languages, tribal nations in Oklahoma are working to reclaim and teach their languages to the youth.
www.kosu.org
April 15, 2025 at 7:53 PM
More than a century after U.S. Indian boarding schools attempted to erase Indigenous cultures and languages, tribal nations in Oklahoma are working to reclaim and teach their languages to the youth.
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
Reposted by Sarah Liese
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is lobbing accusations at the Muscogee Nation, saying the tribe and others worked together to kill Senate Bill 675, which died in committee on Wednesday.
Muscogee Nation tobacco compact putting Oklahoma, tribal leaders at odds
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is lobbing accusations at the Muscogee Nation, saying the tribe and others worked together to kill Senate Bill 675, which died in committee on Wednesday.
www.kosu.org
April 11, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is lobbing accusations at the Muscogee Nation, saying the tribe and others worked together to kill Senate Bill 675, which died in committee on Wednesday.
Reposted by Sarah Liese
In a case now before SCOTUS, the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board and a Catholic charter school cited to federal Indian boarding schools without any historical context to support their argument that the U.S. has a history of funding religious education. Read:
Tribal organizations shine light on federal Indian boarding schools and Tribal sovereignty in education - Native American Rights Fund
The Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board and a Catholic charter school cite federal Indian Boarding schools as an example of federal funding of religious education without acknowledging that the…
buff.ly
April 8, 2025 at 4:38 PM
In a case now before SCOTUS, the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board and a Catholic charter school cited to federal Indian boarding schools without any historical context to support their argument that the U.S. has a history of funding religious education. Read:
Reposted by Sarah Liese
The first Native American Poet Laureate in the U.S., Joy Harjo, is releasing two illustrative books this month, centered around two universal milestones: coming of age and loss. Listen to her interview with KOSU's Sarah Liese.
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
Former U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo discusses new book about grief, collaboration with Muscogee artist
Joy Harjo, the first Native American Poet Laureate in the U.S., is releasing two illustrative books this month, centered around two universal milestones: coming of age and loss.
www.kosu.org
April 4, 2025 at 8:51 PM
The first Native American Poet Laureate in the U.S., Joy Harjo, is releasing two illustrative books this month, centered around two universal milestones: coming of age and loss. Listen to her interview with KOSU's Sarah Liese.
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
PSA: Though the Not Invisible Act Commission’s final report has been taken down from federal websites, it can still be accessed. The Turtle Talk blog has preserved it here >> turtletalk.blog/2025/02/13/n...
March 24, 2025 at 2:51 AM
PSA: Though the Not Invisible Act Commission’s final report has been taken down from federal websites, it can still be accessed. The Turtle Talk blog has preserved it here >> turtletalk.blog/2025/02/13/n...
Reposted by Sarah Liese
A federally funded database helps track long-term, missing-person cases. Yet an NPR investigation finds that even in states legally required to use it, more than 2,000 people haven't been added.
Benita Long disappeared. So why wasn't she added to this missing person database?
A federally funded database helps track long-term, missing-person cases. Yet an NPR investigation finds that even in states legally required to use it, more than 2,000 people haven't been added.
www.npr.org
March 11, 2025 at 1:04 AM
A federally funded database helps track long-term, missing-person cases. Yet an NPR investigation finds that even in states legally required to use it, more than 2,000 people haven't been added.
Reposted by Sarah Liese
Last week, wildfires raged across Oklahoma, claiming thousands of acres of land and hundreds of buildings. KOSU's @smliese.bsky.social reports that the flames also destroyed a historic church in Kiowa County, leaving a congregation to rebuild.
www.kosu.org/show/stateim...
www.kosu.org/show/stateim...
'The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away:' Historic Kiowa church to be rebuilt after Oklahoma wildfire
Last week, wildfires raged across Oklahoma, claiming thousands of acres of land and hundreds of buildings. KOSU's Sarah Liese reports for StateImpact that the flames also destroyed a historic church i...
www.kosu.org
March 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Last week, wildfires raged across Oklahoma, claiming thousands of acres of land and hundreds of buildings. KOSU's @smliese.bsky.social reports that the flames also destroyed a historic church in Kiowa County, leaving a congregation to rebuild.
www.kosu.org/show/stateim...
www.kosu.org/show/stateim...
Reposted by Sarah Liese
BREAKING: Drought and extreme winds across Oklahoma have resulted in more than a dozen named fires burning across the state by mid-day Friday.
This article will be updated with more information as the situation evolves.
www.kosu.org/local-news/2...
This article will be updated with more information as the situation evolves.
www.kosu.org/local-news/2...
High winds, low humidity fuel fire danger across Oklahoma
Drought and extreme winds across Oklahoma mean perfect conditions for wildfires to start and spread.
www.kosu.org
March 14, 2025 at 6:50 PM
BREAKING: Drought and extreme winds across Oklahoma have resulted in more than a dozen named fires burning across the state by mid-day Friday.
This article will be updated with more information as the situation evolves.
www.kosu.org/local-news/2...
This article will be updated with more information as the situation evolves.
www.kosu.org/local-news/2...
Reposted by Sarah Liese
Tribal Nations have a unique political status under U.S. law, based on sovereignty, treaties, and trust obligations. This briefing paper explains the legal foundations of Tribal self-governance, the U.S. responsibility to Tribal Nations, and why these obligations are political, not race-based.
March 12, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Tribal Nations have a unique political status under U.S. law, based on sovereignty, treaties, and trust obligations. This briefing paper explains the legal foundations of Tribal self-governance, the U.S. responsibility to Tribal Nations, and why these obligations are political, not race-based.
Reposted by Sarah Liese
Three tribal nations and five affected students are suing over slashes to the Bureau of Indian Education. The Cheyenne and Arapaho of Oklahoma said they have joined this fight because they have tribal citizens at schools affected.
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
Cheyenne, Arapaho Tribes join legal fight over Bureau of Indian Education cuts
Three tribal nations and five affected students are suing the Secretary of the Interior, Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs and the Director of the Bureau of Indian Education over slashes to the Bu...
www.kosu.org
March 12, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Three tribal nations and five affected students are suing over slashes to the Bureau of Indian Education. The Cheyenne and Arapaho of Oklahoma said they have joined this fight because they have tribal citizens at schools affected.
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
Reposted by Sarah Liese
19 Seminole, Cheyenne and Arapaho children who were subjected to assimilation at Carlisle Indian Boarding School will finally return to the earth on their homelands in the fall.
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
Oklahoma tribes prepare to repatriate 19 relatives who walked on at Carlisle Indian Boarding School
19 Seminole, Cheyenne and Arapaho children who were subjected to assimilation at Carlisle Indian Boarding School will finally return to the earth on their homelands in the fall.
www.kosu.org
March 11, 2025 at 2:57 PM
19 Seminole, Cheyenne and Arapaho children who were subjected to assimilation at Carlisle Indian Boarding School will finally return to the earth on their homelands in the fall.
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
www.kosu.org/race-culture...
Reposted by Sarah Liese
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has canceled two programs providing tribal governments, states, schools and food banks money to buy local food from producers.
www.kosu.org/local-news/2...
www.kosu.org/local-news/2...
USDA cancels two local food programs for schools, food banks and tribal nations in Oklahoma
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has canceled two programs providing tribal governments, states, schools and food banks money to buy local food from producers.
www.kosu.org
March 11, 2025 at 11:14 PM
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has canceled two programs providing tribal governments, states, schools and food banks money to buy local food from producers.
www.kosu.org/local-news/2...
www.kosu.org/local-news/2...