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The Supreme Court issued its last set of decisions on Thursday. While much of the discussion revolved around defeats for President Donald Trump in the effort to conceal his financial records, another decision took place—a historic decision affirming the rights of Native Americans to the land owed them by treaties signed with the U.S. government.
90% of Federal Indian Law is just Tribes having to go all the way to the Supreme Court to argue that the US should FOLLOW ITS OWN LAWS.— Cutcha Risling Baldy (@Cutcha Risling Baldy)1594406183.0
In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled in McGirt V. Oklahoma that a treaty entitling the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to a significant portion of eastern Oklahoma is still in effect. The land remains a Native American reservation, thereby maintaining its tribal sovereignty.
The Muscogee (Creek) people originated from the Southeast United States but were forcibly relocated to Oklahoma on the horrific Trail of Tears. It is the United States' fourth largest tribe, with nearly 100 thousand citizens.
@TaraTomahawk In solidarity with the indigenous peoples from across the globe! Congratulations to your victory! 👏❤— G I B R A N (@G I B R A N)1594319686.0
Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in his opinion:
"Today we are asked whether the land these treaties promised remains an Indian reservation for purposes of federal criminal law, because Congress has not said otherwise, we hold the government to its word."
The ruling was largely considered a landmark victory for Native American rights, but not everyone was celebrating.
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) took his grievances to Twitter.
Neil Gorsuch & the four liberal Justices just gave away half of Oklahoma, literally. Manhattan is next. https://t.co/Ic9gqqznJp— Ted Cruz (@Ted Cruz)1594313522.0
The take isn't without a level of cringeworthy irony, not just because the treaty entitled the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to its allotted treaty portion, but because the very word "Oklahoma" is derived from the Choctaw Nation language. The Choctaw were part of a confederacy with the Creek dubbed the "Five Civilized Tribes" by the early settlers. The other tribes were the Tsalagi (Cherokee), Seminole and Chickasaw.
Wow, people this idiotic are running this government.. 'gave away' land to Native peoples?? DEAR FING Gawd crack a… https://t.co/YSPbZH1F2s— Matt Remle (@Matt Remle)1594401358.0
Cruz in his criticism of the ruling said "Manhattan is next." The word "Manhattan" is derived from the Munsee Lenape Nation language.
Good idea. Let's hope Manhattan (the name comes from the Munsee Lenape Natives, who were displaced) comes back to… https://t.co/5xBrPVEpxQ— Breakdances With Wolves Podcast = Baby Makin Music (@Breakdances With Wolves Podcast = Baby Makin Music)1594317122.0
Cruz may have come in hot with his take on the ruling, but the reception to it was ice cold.
@tedcruz This is among your dumbest takes and I know who I'm talking to.— Elie Mystal (@Elie Mystal)1594320139.0
Reminder: Ted Cruz was born in Canada, his dad is from Cuba. He is an America. He is mad that native Americans now… https://t.co/AZ40s8Wwa7— Tosin Ash.💧 (@Tosin Ash.💧)1594319171.0
@tedcruz Oh no, the USA might have to start accounting for the injustices it's perpetrated against Native peoples?!… https://t.co/dP8Og1MkMU— Pé (@Pé)1594315954.0
Next, Ted Cruz is going to tell Native Americans to go back to where they came from! https://t.co/nF4RjVJqxK— Mark Elliott (@Mark Elliott)1594317024.0
@tedcruz Wait until you hear how much jurisdiction Native Americans USED to have!— Sleeping Giants (@Sleeping Giants)1594326672.0
@tedcruz Giving it away to people from whom land was stolen, and whose sovereignty is protected by a treaty the ver… https://t.co/dNA1hXQrHv— Beau Willimon (@Beau Willimon)1594314496.0
Supreme Court allows Native American jurisdiction in half of Oklahoma and Ted Cruz pitched a fit but someone should… https://t.co/4sqJUMZhdh— Jerry Saiyan The Resister ... (@Jerry Saiyan The Resister ...)1594336603.0
@tedcruz You are so stupid. They actually followed the Constitution. Too bad you can’t be bothered.— Fred Wellman (@Fred Wellman)1594314968.0
Supreme Court says eastern half of Oklahoma is Native American land Canadian reject @TedCruz openly fears Manhatt… https://t.co/ic1QiCmaxf— Al 🅖🅓🅐🅓➊ Criswell (@Al 🅖🅓🅐🅓➊ Criswell)1594324545.0
@tedcruz Actually Ted, the United States did that. In treaties they signed but never fully honored...— Noble Prize in Sarcasm (@Noble Prize in Sarcasm)1594314116.0
And people didn't give up the chance to gloat that the opinion was written by Gorsuch, whom Trump himself appointed.
@tedcruz The guy who nominated him must be a real moron, huh?— Brian Tyler Cohen (@Brian Tyler Cohen)1594313902.0
@tedcruz @csd They made the Government keep its contract with the Native Americans, you mean? https://t.co/PjznMzrxpm— Vertebrate (@Vertebrate)1594313916.0
@tedcruz Running out of allies, huh? Trump is going to prison.— jen pal (@jen pal)1594314941.0
JUST IN: Ted Cruz mad that constitution dictates we honor the treaty we made with Native Americans when we stole th… https://t.co/Q9d7NRlc0G— Trevis Thomas (@Trevis Thomas)1594322894.0
@tedcruz Ted Cruz, Native Americans keyword being Native actually should own ALL of American Land!— Just Vent (@Just Vent)1594315607.0
Manhattan isn't a Native American Indian reservation- ah forget it, ted cruz ain't serious about nothing https://t.co/ikn9vXw1tl— dangered wolf (@dangered wolf)1594341577.0
@tedcruz I’m here for Ted Cruz’s tears— Denise Wu (@Denise Wu)1594319413.0
@tedcruz The US government has totally disregarded the treaties it signed with those Native Americans over the year… https://t.co/rEAcUTNMjU— Brenda Watt (@Brenda Watt)1594390684.0
Better luck next time, Ted.