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Washington, D.C. - Several of Oklahoma's Indian leaders will make their voices heard in the U.S. Senate this week when the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hosts a briefing devoted to Oklahoma Indian issues on May 11.

Because of the state's history, the 37 Indian tribes with governments in Oklahoma operate under a unique set of circumstances. "Historically, Oklahoma was home to only five tribes that were truly indigenous to Oklahoma," said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. "The other 32 ended up in Oklahoma after being removed from their tribal homelands." While each of these tribes has its own distinct culture, tradition, history and language, representatives of the 250,000 tribal members that live in the state will brief senators on issues specific to members of tribes in Oklahoma.

One issue involves health care funding. Currently, Indians in Oklahoma receive funding from the Indian Health Service at just 63 per cent of the national average. Oklahoma tribes will inform senators about possible remedies that would aid the state's underfunded IHS facilities.

Bill Anoatubby, Governor of the Chickasaw Nation, will discuss the affect of educational programs in Oklahoma. He will explain how congressional programs currently in place provide less benefit to Indians in Oklahoma than Indians in other parts of the country.

Other agenda items include the issue of fractionated Indian lands, which will be presented by John A. "Rocky" Barrett, Chair of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, and the status of the Arkansas Riverbed negotiations, presented by Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma Principal Chief Chad Smith.