Eligibility of Oklahoma Indian Tribes in the Food Stamp Program, 1978-11-15

Chief Claude Cox of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation wrote a letter to Secretary Block of the Agriculture Department regarding the eligibility of Oklahoma Indian tribes under the Food Stamp Act of 1977. He requested a reassessment of the definition of "reservation" to include allotted reservations in Oklahoma. The Native American Rights Fund also supported this request. They argued that Oklahoma tribes have been deemed ineligible based on a flawed opinion from the Office of General Counsel. They requested the withdrawal of this opinion and the issuance of new regulations to ensure the eligibility of Oklahoma tribes for the Food Distribution Program. They also requested a meeting with the Department of Agriculture to discuss the issue further.