MCN to join lawsuit against multiple social media companies
Lawsuit alleges social media has created a public mental health emergency on the Mvskoke Reservation
by Thomas Jackson, Mvskoke Media
OKMULGEE, Okla. – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation is entering into an attorney-client agreement with multiple law firms to join a lawsuit against a number of social media platforms, according to TR 25-034, which was passed by MCN National Council during the May 17 Regular Session.
Passed unanimously with a vote of 13-0, the resolution states:
A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute an attorney-client agreement for legal services with the law firms of Fields Han Cunniff PLLC and Dicello Levitt LLP on behalf of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation…
Whereas, the social media platforms have created a public health emergency, particularly the mental health of the youth, with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation…
The Multi-District Litigation (MDL) involves a number of defendants such as Meta Platforms, Inc., Instagram LLC, Snap, Inc., TikTok, Inc., ByteDance, Inc., YouTube LLC, Google LLC, and Alphabet Inc. These companies own some of the most popular social media sites in the world, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, and Tiktok.
A Multidistrict Litigation, or MDL, is a set of lawsuits and legal proceedings from multiple districts and regions, which have been gathered to take place in one location or district. The lawsuit has been ongoing in various forms since 2023, and involves more than a thousand plaintiffs, including individual citizens, school districts, and governments. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation is not the only Tribal government involved in the MDL either. Three other tribes – the Cheyenne River Sioux tribe, the Oglala Lakota Sioux tribe, and the White Mountain Apache – are also involved in the litigation as plaintiffs.
The lawsuit involves multiple allegations. These include claims of liability and negligence regarding design defects and a failure to warn the general public. There are also allegations of violations of consumer protection laws, and fraudulent and negligent concealment and misrepresentation of information.
Some of the most serious counts against Meta include Wrongful Death and violations of U.S. legal code, specifically 18 U.S. Code, Subsection 2252A, part 5b. According to Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute, that pertains to certain activities relating to material constituting or containing child pornography.
In a statement to Mvskoke Media, Representative Nelson Harjo, who sponsored the resolution, wrote, “I’m glad as a tribal nation, we are looking out for the best interest of our youth. Social media can be and is a good thing, but when used wrongly as with anything else, it can be very damaging.”
“These platforms need to be held responsible for what they make allowances for, to many lives affected and unfortunately to many lives lost.”
Mvskoke Media reached out to Principal Chief David Hill for comment on the lawsuit. Chief Hill has declined to comment.
Artesian Arts Festival set June 7
SULPHUR, Okla. – The 12th annual Artesian Arts Festival, a daylong celebration of First American art and culture, is set 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, June 7, at the Artesian Plaza.
The festival was rescheduled from April 5 due to adverse weather conditions in the area.
More than 125 First American artists from across the United States are expected to participate, displaying a vast collection of original art.
A community celebration hosted by the Chickasaw Nation, the Artesian Arts Festival welcomed more than 15,400 art patrons to downtown Sulphur last year.
Open to the public at no charge, the Artesian Arts Festival is a family-friendly event that offers activities for all ages while highlighting First American art, artists, music, dance and cuisine.
The 2025 Artesian Arts Festival is a juried art show and market. Participation is open to all federally recognized First American artists. Art patrons can expect a vibrant festival full of original First American art, including jewelry, photography, textiles, basketry, sculpture, metalworking, beadwork, paintings and pottery.
A talented lineup of entertainment is planned, including live music and First American dance demonstrations.
Several food vendors will offer a wide array of festival favorites.
The Artesian Arts Festival takes place at the Artesian Plaza, adjacent to the Artesian Hotel, Casino and Spa, 1001 W. First St., Sulphur.
For more information, contact Chickasaw Nation Arts & Humanities at (580) 272-5520, visit ArtesianArtsFestival.com or email ArtistInfo@Chickasaw.net.
Updates are also provided on Chickasaw Nation social media pages including Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram.
Eligible IIM Account Holders Sought for the Cobell Indian Trust Settlement
DURANT, Okla. – The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is seeking heirs to eligible Indian Individual Money (IIM) account holders for the Cobell Indian Trust Settlement.
The Cobell Indian Trust Settlement is a settlement approved in a class action lawsuit, which claimed individual Indian land, funds and other assets were mismanaged by the federal government and placed settlements to be held in trust by the federal government.
The list of IIM accounts can be reviewed here which are associated with the settlement.
Other Tribes are announcing this deadline as well.
Heirs to these accounts have until June 30, 2025, to file a probate claim. For more information, go to the Cobell v. Salazar Indian Trust Settlement website or call 800-961-6109.
