Gov. Mary Fallin says the state has signed a vehicle tag compact with the Choctaw Nation that will establish how Oklahoma and the tribe will work together to issue Choctaw vehicle tags.
The compact was signed during last weekend's Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival.
“The state of Oklahoma and the Choctaw Nation already are important partners in economic development, education, health care and transportation infrastructure,” Fallin said in a statement. “This is just another example of an opportunity for state leaders and tribal leaders to get together to strengthen our partnerships.”
Under the agreement, Choctaw citizens who want to purchase a Choctaw tag may go to a state tag agent and present their citizenship card. They will pay the same fees and taxes that a nontribal person would to complete the same transaction.
The tribe plans to give its citizens who purchase a Choctaw tag a 20 percent rebate on licensing, registration, registration renewal and payment of excise taxes.
“A Choctaw tag is much more than just saving money – it is a way to show our heritage,” said Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton in a statement. “There is a resurgence in interest of the culture of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. The new license plates are a great way for our members to display their pride in tribal heritage. The tags state ‘Chahta Sia Hoke!’ – which is Choctaw for ‘I Am Choctaw!’, and feature the Great Seal of the Choctaw Nation and stickball sticks, a traditional Choctaw game. I hope all tribal members in Oklahoma are as excited about placing this newly designed tag on their automobile as I am.”
The Choctaw Nation will design the tag; the state will manufacture and distribute them.
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