>> ON THIS SPECIAL THANKSGIVING EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, WE'LL LOOK BACK AT THE STORIES THAT RESINATED WITH OUR VIEWERS IN 2021.

>> EVERYBODY DOES.

>> FROM THE RESURGENCE OF COCKFIGHTING IN OKLAHOMA TO THE ONGOING RAMIFICATIONS OF THE MCGRIT DECISION.

>> FOR ALL OF THE VICTIMS PLEASE COME FORWARD.

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, A MEMBER OF A CHEROKEE TRIBE WILL BE ON A U.S. QUARTER.

>> DO YOU THINK WE CAN DO IT, IT IS GOING TO BE HARD.

YOU BETTER CHANGE YOUR WAY OF THINKING, WE'RE GOING TO DO IT.

>> THANKS TO THIS MAN, A NEW STORY HAS A NEW FOLLOWING.

>> IT IS COOL YOU CAN BE IN THE HOUSE AND SEE THE MOVIE AND EVERYTHING.

>> THOSE STORIES AND MUCH MORE NEXT ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

WELCOME TO A SPECIAL THANKSGIVING EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

EACH YEAR OUR STAFF PICKS THEIR FAVORITE STORIES AND WE PRESENT THEM NOW.

WE START WITH A REPORT VIEWED 546,000 TIMES ON OUR Facebook PAGE AND SHARED MORE THAN 2,000 TIMES SINCE FIRST ERRORING.

STEVE HAS MORE ON COCKFIGHTING IN OKLAHOMA.

STEVE?

>> Reporter: SOME OF THE IMAGES YOU'RE GOING TO SEE ARE GRAPHIC.

IN 2002, A 53% MAJORITY OF VOTERS PASSED A STATE WIDE BAN ON COCKFIGHTING BUT THE REALITY IS, IT ONLY PASSED IN 20 OF OKLAHOMA'S 77 COUNTIES.

AND IT IS IN THOSE RURAL COUNTIES THAT COCKFIGHTING IS FLOURISHING 20 YEARS LATER.

>> IT IS HERE, IT'S JUST HAVING SOMEBODY WHO IS GOING TO STEP FORWARD AND GIVE US THE INFORMATION TO HELP US LOCATE.

>> Reporter: GERALD WOODRAL IS A CAPTAIN WITH THE LEFLORE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN POTEAU, ANIMAL RIGHTS ADVOCATES CLAIM IS A HOTBED FOR ILLEGAL COCKFIGHTING.

>> IF WE KNEW WHO AND WHERE THEY WERE DOING IT, WE WOULD TRY TO STOP THEM AND GO THROUGH THE PROCESS AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE PROSECUTED.

>> IT IS A MANPOWER SITUATION, DEALING WITH COVID-19.

SO IT'S -- UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, IT IS DIFFICULT.

>> IT IS.

AFTER WE SIT DOWN, I HAVE GOT MAYBE TWO OR THREE DEPUTIES COVERING THIS COUNTY, I MEAN 1600 SQUARE MILES FOR THREE GUYS IS A LOT.

>> Reporter: DREW EDMONSON SAYS IT IS NO MYSTERY WHY IT RUNS RAMPANT IN THE SOONER STATE.

>> Interview: THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, WHEN THIS WAS ON THE BALLOT, THE MEASURE CARRIED OVERWHELMINGLY BUT IN A MINORITY OF THE COUNTIES.

MOST COUNTIES IN THE RURAL AREAS VOTED NO, WHICH MEANT THAT COCKFIGHTING IS STILL FAVORED IN LARGE AREAS OF THE STATE.

LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS NO GREAT INCENTIVE TO GO AFTER THEM JUST BECAUSE IT IS AGAINST THE LAW.

>> Reporter: HUMAN SOCIETY PRESIDENT WAYNE PACELLE SAYS IT GOES ON HERE AT AN ALARMING RATE.

>> Interview: IT CAN BE $2,000 PER BIRD.

SOME OF THEM ARE SELLING 5,000 BIRDS A YEAR, MAKING $10 MILLION.

>> Reporter: PACELLE SAYS THERE'S TREMENDOUS MONEY IN RAISING FIGHTING BIRDS THAN SENDING THEM OVERSEAS TO PLACES LIKE MEXICO, PHILIPPINES, VIETNAM AND GUAM.

YOU CAN WATCH ONLINE BECAUSE IT IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET.

>> Interview: BUT THESE OKLAHOMA COCKFIGHTERS WERE THE NUMBER ONE SHIPPERS OF BIRDS THE GUAM.

WE GOT AHOLD OF SHIPPING RECORD FROM THE GUAM DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LOOKED AT THOUSANDS OF PAGES OF REPORTS AND OKLAHOMA WAS NUMBER ONE BY A LONG SHOT.

THE SECOND BIGGEST STATE WAS CALIFORNIA AND THE THIRD WAS ALABAMA.

>> Reporter: THE SHIPPING RECORDS SHOW THAT BRANDON BOTTOMS SENT THE MOST TO GUAM.

HER HUSBAND JOHN BOTTOMS DECLINED AN INTERVIEW REQUEST BUT SAYS IT IS TRUE HIS WIFE SENT THEM TO GUAM AND SAYS SHE SENT THEM TO THE WESTERN PACIFIC AS WELL.

AND HE CLAIMS IT IS ALL LEGAL BECAUSE THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE REGULATES IT.

TUESDAY, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE RESPONDED TO JOHN BOTTOM'S CLAIM...

THEY ARE LICENSED AS POULTRY PRODUCERS.

THE ONLY AUTHORITY THEY HAVE IN THIS SCENARIO IS OVER DISEASE, WHICH IS VERIFIED THROUGH CERTIFICATES OF VETERINARY INSPECTION.

WE DO NOT HAVE JURISDICTION OR INVOLVEMENT WITH THE COCKFIGHTING LAW.

THAT IS STRICTLY A CRIMINAL PROVISION.

IF ANYONE HAS SUSPICION OF ILLEGAL FIGHTING INVOLVING ANIMALS, THEY SHOULD REPORT IT TO THEIR LOCAL SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

>> COCKFIGHTING IS GOING ON ALL OVER.

>> Reporter: DO YOU PARTICIPATE THESE DAYS?

>> Interview: EVERYBODY DOES.

>> Reporter: BL COZAD HAS BEEN INVOLVED SINCE SECOND GRADE.

>> Interview: THE ROOSTERS ARE WEARING BLADES, THESE FIGHTS ARE JUST HORRIFIC.

IT'S ANIMAL CRUELTY.

YOU CAN'T GET PAST THAT.

>> Interview: THAT'S YOUR OPINION.

AND THAT'S THE WHOLE THING IS, YOUR OPINION DOES NOT SUPERSEDE MY RIGHTS BECAUSE YOUR OPINION IS BASED UPON EMOTIONS.

I DON'T CARE ONE WHIT ABOUT YOUR EMOTIONS.

>> Reporter: COZAD SAYS BEFORE THE BAN, THE COCKFIGHTING INDUSTRY BROUGHT HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ANNUALLY TO THE STATE.

>> Interview: THESE RURAL COUNTIES ARE THE ONES THAT LOST THE INCOME.

>> Reporter: SEVEN MONTHS AGO IN RULE BRYAN COUNTY, SHERIFF DEPUTIES RESPONDING TO A NOISE COMPLAINT DISCOVERED A COCKFIGHT WITH 250 PEOPLE IN THE BARN AND THE ALLEGED RINGLEADER WAS CHARGED WITH THREE FELONIES.

>> Interview: IT IS SO TIGHT-LIPPED.

WE GET INFORMATION ON MURDERS, WE GET INFORMATION ON DRUGS.

WE GET THIS STUFF COMING IN EVERY DAY.

INFORMATION ON COCKFIGHTING, WE DON'T GET THAT EVERY DAY.

WE KNOW IT IS OUT THERE, WE HEAR PEOPLE TALKING, THERE'S A COCKFIGHT OVER HERE, GO CHECK THEM OUT, NOTHING, CRICKETS.

IT IS VERY, VERY TIGHT-LIPPED.

>> Reporter: WAYNE PACELLE WANTED TO KNOW WHY IT WAS TAKING PROSECUTORS SO LONG TO CHARGE PEOPLE FROM THE COCKFIGHT.

TIM WEBSTER PROCEEDS OVER THE COUNTY.

I TALKED TO WEBSTER LAST WEEK, HE SAYS HIS OFFICE IS UNDERSTAFFED AND THAT'S WHY THE CHARGES TOOK A WHILE AND SAYS MORE CHARGES INVOLVING OTHER PEOPLE WILL FOLLOW.

PACELLE SAYS IT IS TIME FEDERAL AUTHORITIES GET INVOLVED.

>> Interview: WE THINK AN INVESTIGATION ON COCKFIGHTING IN A BUNCH OF COUNTIES IS LONG OVERDUE.

WE WILL GIVE THEM ALL OF THE DETAILS THEY NEED TO GET THEM STARTED AND THEY CAN CLINCH THE CASE BY SHOWING THESE MASSIVE FARMS WHERE THEY'RE NOT RAISING BIRDS FOR SHOW OR MEAT OR EGGS, THESE ARE DIFFERENT BREEDS OF BIRDS SPECIFICALLY TRAINED FOR FIGHTING AND THAT'S WHAT IS GOING ON IN OKLAHOMA.

>> Interview: THAT'S EMBARRASSING TO ME PERSONALLY AND SHOULD BE TO THE WHOLE STATE.

>> Reporter: COZAD BELIEVES ANIMAL RIGHTS IS JUST A SMOKE SCREEN.

>> Interview: NAZIS ENACTED ANIMAL RIGHTS LAWS TO DESTROY HUMAN RIGHTS, REDUCING MAN TO THE STATUS OF ANIMAL TO LET THE GOVERNMENT TREAT SOME SEGMENTS WITHIN SOCIETY LIKE ANIMALS.

THAT'S WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

GOVERNMENT IS COMING OUT AND TREATING THE FARMERS AND RANCHERS LIKE ANIMALS BECAUSE WE'RE LOWER THAN THE CHICKENS THAT WE OWN IN THE EYES OF THE GOVERNMENT.

>> REAL GOOD AT BEING BAD AND BAD AT BEING GOOD.

>> Interview: I'M SURPRISED OTHER COUNTRIES DON'T SEND MISSIONARIES TO OKLAHOMA.

>> Reporter: I HAVE REACHED OUT TWICE SINCE THE COCKFIGHTING SERIES AIRED, I WANTED TO KNOW IF THEY WERE INVOLVED IN ANY COCKFIGHTING INVESTIGATIONS.

THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN BACK.

RICH?

>> STEVE, TREMENDOUS WORK.

THANK YOU.

NEXT UP, THE FRACTURED RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STITT ADMINISTRATION AND FIVE MAJOR TRIBES, STARTING WITH GAMING COMPACKS AND THEN THE MCGRIT DECISION IN 2020.

JASON?

>> Reporter: WHEN GOVERNOR STITT CONVENED THE FORUM TO DISCUSS THE MCGRIT DECISION, HE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PREPARED FOR THE RECEPTION HE RECEIVED.

>> THANK YOU -- (BOOING) FOR ALL THE VICTIMS, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

>> Reporter: THAT'S HOW TUESDAY EVENING'S IMPACT FORUM ENDED.

THE SPEAKERS GOT THE SAME TREATMENT.

>> MCGRIT WAS A SUPREME COURT DECISION IMPACTING BOTH THE TRIBAL AND STATE -- (BOOING) THERE WAS NO -- >> MCGRIT HAS SO MANY ISSUES WITH IT.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT.

YELLING AT EACH OTHER WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEMS.

WE HAVE TO SPEAK TO ONE ANOTHER.

THANK YOU.

>> Reporter: EVEN ACKNOWLEDGING THE TRIBAL LEADER, THE CROWD PUSHED BACK.

>> WELCOME CHIEF.

I THINK HE'S IN THE AUDIENCE.

I WANT TO WELCOME THE CHIEF.

>> Reporter: THE LACK OF TRIBAL REPRESENTATION ON THE FORUM PANEL BROUGHT OUT PROTESTERS BEFORE AND AFTER THE PRESENTATION.

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS THE AUTHORITY TO PROSECUTE THE PEOPLE, THE TRIBE HAS THE AUTHORITY TO PROSECUTE AND WE CAN HANDLE OUR OWN.

>> MY FIRST AND FOREMOST PRIORITY IS THE SAFETY OF OKLAHOMANS AND THAT WHAT WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT TONIGHT.

>> Reporter: THE STATED INTENT OF THE FORUM WAS TO REACH OUT TO CRIME VICTIMS AND FAMILIES THAT COULD SEE CASES IMPACTED BY THE MCGRIT DECISION.

TRYING TO EXPLAIN THE U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION HAS TIED THE HANDS OF THE STATE.

>> THERE'S A CLASS OF CASES THAT A NON MEMBER OF A FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBE, IF THEY COMMIT A CRIME AGAINST A MEMBER OF A FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED CRIME, THE ONLY ENTITY THAT CAN HANDLE THE CASE IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THOSE CASES ARE NOT BEING PROSECUTED.

>> Reporter: KNOWING WHICH GOVERNMENT BODY WILL HANDLE A CASE WITHIN RESERVATION TERRITORY HAS LED TO SOME CONFUSION FOR CRIME VICTIMS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO THOUGHT THEIR CASE WAS CLOSED.

>> Interview: A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT THEIR CASE 15, 20 YEARS AGO COULD BE UP FOR REVIEW UNDER THE SUPREME COURT RULING.

>> Reporter: KIM MOYER IS THE STATE DIRECTOR OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT SUPPORTS VICTIM'S RIGHTS IN OKLAHOMA.

>> Interview: IT IS SHOCKING TO BE NOTIFIED ONE DAY THAT MAYBE THE PERSON WHO IS SERVING TIME IN PRISON FOR COMMITTING A CRIME AGAINST YOU NOW SUDDENLY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A NEW INVESTIGATION AND NEW TRIAL DUE TO THE RULING BY THE SUPREME COURT.

IT IS VERY CONFUSING.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNOR'S SPECIAL COUNCIL BELIEVES THAT APPEALS WORKING THROUGH THE STATE AND FEDERAL SYSTEMS WILL DECIDE HOW THE MCGRIT DECISION WILL BE DECIDED GOING FORWARD.

>> ONE CASE PENDING THE RETROACTIVE OF MCGRIT, THERE'S ABOUT 30,000 FELONIES.

>> IT MEANS THAT A LEGAL PRINCIPLE COULD BE APPLIED TO THE PAST.

AND THAT'S A BIG DEAL IN TERMS OF CRIMINAL JURISDICTION.

>> Reporter: ATTORNEY MIKE McBRIDE SAYS THE IMPACT WILL BE MORE DRASTIC IF IT IS APPLIED TO PAST CASES.

>> Interview: YOU COULD APPLY THE MCGRIT CASE TO PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS, THEN THAT COULD REALLY CREATE A LOT OF MOVEMENT AT THE PRISONS.

>> Reporter: RECENT CASES HAVE EXPANDED IT BEYOND THE FIVE TRIBE RESERVATIONS LIKE THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> Interview: THEY FOUND THAT THE ONE OF THE NON FIVE TRIBES, THEIR RESERVATION WAS STILL INTACT.

>> Reporter: THE FORUM ENDED EARLIER THAN EXPECTED AND DEMONSTRATES THE DISCONNECT BETWEEN GOVERNOR AND TRIBAL LEADERS IS REAL.

THE MUSKOGEE TRIBE SAID AFTERWARDS... >> IT LACKED THE FULL COMMUNITY, EXCEPT FOR THOSE WHO CAME IN TO VOICE CONCERNS ABOUT THE GAPS IN THE FORUM, IN THE PANEL.

IF WE WANT TO HAVE A DIALOGUE ABOUT MCGRIT, WHICH WE SHOULD, WE NEED TO DO IT IN A THOUGHTFUL WAY, INCLUDING ALL VOICES.

>> Reporter: HOSKIN SAYS THE TURMOIL DOESN'T MEAN THEY'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH THE SAME THING.

>> Interview: THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER, EVERY SERIOUS LEADER IN THE CASE WORKING ON MCGRIT, INCLUDING EVERY TRIBAL LEADER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAME THING, THAT IS MAKING SURE WE HAVE A BLANKETED PROTECTION ACROSS OUR JURISDICTION, WHETHER IT IS OUR RESERVATION OR OUR STATE.

>> Reporter: THE CHEROKEE NATION IS INVESTING INTO ITS OWN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO HANDLE THE SURGE OF CASES.

>> Interview: WE HAVE OVER 1200 CASES TRANSFERRED FROM THE STATE TO CHEROKEE NATION JURISDICTIONS.

WE'RE DOING OUR JOB AND MAKING SURE WE ARE PROTECTING VICTIMS AND PUTTING MORE RESOURCES INTO VICTIM SERVICES, DOUBLING THE STAFF WE HAVE.

>> Reporter: WE'LL TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT HOW THE CHEROKEES ARE ACCOMPLISHING THAT NEXT WEEK.

>> THE TRIBES INSIST THEY'RE MORE THAN CAPABLE OF CREATING THEIR OWN FIRST RATE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND THE DAY AFTER THE FORUM, I TRAVELED TO TAHLEQUAH TO SEE WHAT HAS BEEN BUILT.

>> PEOPLE SHOULD FEEL CONFIDENT THE GOVERNMENT TAKING THIS ON IS THE GREAT CHEROKEE NATION.

WE'RE DOING IT AND WE'RE GOING TO DO IT WELL.

>> Reporter: HOSKIN SAYS EVEN BEFORE THE DECISION MORE THAN A YEAR AGO, THE TRIBE STARTED TO EXAMINE WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO HANDLE AN INCREASED CASE LOAD.

>> Interview: WE DID A STUDY EARLY ON ABOUT HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST THE CHEROKEE NATION TO MEET THE BASIC OBLIGATIONS UNDER MCGRIT.

IT IS ABOUT 35 MILLION IN NEW DOLLARS EVERY YEAR.

>> Reporter: ONCE APPLIED THROUGH THE OKLAHOMA COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS HOGNER VERSUS STATE OF OKLAHOMA DECISION EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE JUSTICE SYSTEM WAS READY TO ENGAGE.

>> Interview: SINCE MCGRIT APPLIED, WE HAVE BEEN BUSY HOLDING LAW BREAKERS ACCOUNTABLE.

THAT'S THE REASON WE HAVE OVER 1200 CASES TRANSFER FRIDAY THE WRONG JURISDICTION, THE STATE TO THE CHEROKEE NATION.

WE'RE DOING OUR JOB.

>> WE AVERAGED AROUND 25 CRIMINAL CASES PER YEAR.

>> Reporter: THE PROCEEDING DISTRICT COURT JUDGE FOR THE CHEROKEE NATION.

>> Interview: WE HAVE HIRED NEW JUDGES AND SET UP NEW DOCKETS, SIMILAR TO THE STATE COURT SYSTEM IN STRUCTURE.

JUST READING ALONG LIKE NORMAL.

LIKE WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ALL ALONG.

>> Reporter: THE CHEROKEE NATION HOLDS MCGRIT DOCKET ON TUESDAY'S.

>> Interview: WE HAVE EVERYTHING FROM PETTY THEFT FROM WALMART TO MURDER.

>> Reporter: JUST LIKE STATE DISTRICT COURTS, NOT EVERY CASE HAS TO GO TO TRIAL.

>> Interview: IF THEIR ATTORNEYS WANT TO SETTLE IT AND REACH PLEA AGREEMENTS WITH AG, WE'RE RUNNING AROUND 30-40 PER WEEK ON THOSE.

>> Reporter: ANYONE VISITING THE CHEROKEE NATION'S COURT WILL FIND IT IS SIMILAR TO ANY STATE COURT.

>> COME DOWN ANY TUESDAY.

IT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

YOU CAN SIT IN THE BACK AND WATCH IT AND IT WILL LOOK LIKE PRETTY MUCH ANY COUNTY COURT.

>> Reporter: THE COURT IS ONLY PART OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, THE TRIBE HAS AN ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO DECIDES WHICH CASES TO PROSECUTE.

AG SARA HILL SAYS THERE ARE TWO BASIC PATHWAYS THEY COME TO THE COURT SYSTEM, THE FIRST IS POST-CONVICTION OR DIRECT APPEAL CASES, THE CASES THE STATE HAS ALREADY PROSECUTED UNDER REVIEW BECAUSE OF MCGRIT.

>> Interview: THESE ARE OLDER CASES, CRIMES WERE COMMITTED SOMETIMES YEARS AGO AND THEY HAVE REQUESTED POST CONVICTION RELEASE AND WE HAVE TO TAKE COMPLICATED CASES AND REVIEW THEM AND SEE IF THERE ARE ISSUES WITH EVIDENCE, WITNESSES TODAY, GETTING THOSE CASES REFILED.

>> Reporter: THE OTHER TYPES OF CASES, NEW CRIMES THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HANDLED BY THE STATE PROSECUTOR S BEFORE THE DECISION.

>> Interview: NEW OFFENSES THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY.

TRAFFIC TICKETS AND ALL THE THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN OKLAHOMA EVERY DAY, THOSE NEW CASES ARE COMING IN.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE CHEROKEE NATION DID WHAT IT COULD TO PREPARE FOR THE FLOOD OF NEW CASES, IT TOOK ALL HANDS ON DECK APPROACH.

>> Interview: IT IS ONE THING TO SEE THE WAVE COMING AND ANOTHER THING TO STAND THERE WHEN IT HITS YOU.

WE WERE VERY BUSY AND CAN REMAIN BUSY.

>> Reporter: LAW ENFORCEMENT IS ANOTHER COMPONENT, THAT'S WHERE THE MARSHALS COME INTO PLAY.

>> Interview: THE CRIME IS STILL THE CRIME.

THE BAD GUYS IN CLAREMORE ARE STILL THE BAD GUYS IN CLAREMORE.

MCGRIT DIDN'T MAKE A BUNCH OF YOU BAD MEN AND WOMEN.

NOW IT CHANGES WHO GETS TO PROSECUTE THE CRIME.

>> Reporter: THE CHEROKEE MARSHALS HAVE AGREEMENTS WITH CITIES AND COUNTIES THROUGHOUT THE RESERVATION TERRITORY ALREADY IN PLACE.

MARSHAL BUHL SAYS THEY BUILT THE RELATIONSHIPS OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES.

>> Interview: THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE WITH US THAN OTHER AREAS IS WE HAD THAT PRE-RELATIONSHIP BUILT THAT OUR OFFICERS ARE WORKING CASES TODAY LIKE THEY WERE TWO YEARS AGO BEFORE MCGRIT.

>> Reporter: HOWEVER, THE INCREASED CASE LOAD HAS LED TO MORE WORK FOR THE MARSHALS.

>> Interview: QUITE FRANKLY, THE ONLY THING THAT HAS CHANGED WITH US, TRANSPORT OF PRISONERS.

WE HAVE 13 JAIL CONTRACTS THROUGHOUT THE RESERVATION.

IF A NATIVE AMERICAN IS ARRESTED FOR INDIAN COUNTRY CRIME, WHEN THEY BOOK IN THE CHEROKEE COUNTY JAIL, THIS IS FOR CHEROKEE NATION.

>> Reporter: MORE COURTROOMS PLAN TO MAKE ACCESS EASIER.

>> Interview: WE HAVE TWO NEW COURTHOUSES ON THE HORIZON.

HOPEFULLY GETTING INTO ONE WITHIN SAY THE NEXT MONTH DOWN IN MUSKOGEE AND THEN ANOTHER ONE COMING IN JAY, OKLAHOMA.

>> Reporter: WHICH CREATES A NEED FOR MORE STAFFING.

>> Interview: I SUSPECT WE'LL NEED ADDITIONAL PROSECUTORS AND ADDITIONAL SUPPORT STAFF.

THAT WILL CONTINUE.

ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE, NOT JUST THE AG'S OFFICE ISSUE BUT REALLY THE CHEROKEE NATION JUSTICE ISSUE IS TRYING TO EXPAND THE COURTHOUSES AVAILABLE.

>> Interview: JUST HIRED 13 NEW OFFICERS, SIX ARE GOING THROUGH THE FEDERAL ACADEMY, LEAVING SUNDAY, THERE FOR THREE MONTHS AND COME BACK AND DO FOUR MONTHS IN FIELD TRAINING AND THEN THEY'LL BE MARSHALS.

>> Reporter: MARSHAL BUHL IS LOOKING TO HIRE ANOTHER 25 OFFICERS AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ARE BEING ADDED FOR VICTIMS AS WELL.

>> Interview: WE'RE MAKING SURE WE ARE PROTECTING VICTIMS, WE ARE DOUBLING THE STAFF WE HAVE THAT CARE FOR VICTIMS.

>> Reporter: BUT FOR THE CHEROKEE NATION AND THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA TO COME TO A CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGREEMENT, IT WILL LITERALLY TAKE AN ACT OF CONGRESS.

>> Interview: WE'RE JUST ASKING THAT THAT BARRIER BE LIFTED TO EXPLORE THE IDEA OF HOW TO GET INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT ON CERTAIN ASPECTS OF JURISDICTION.

>> Reporter: HOSKIN NOTES THE BILL GOING THROUGH CONGRESS TO GIVE THE AUTHORIZATION TO COMPACK IS IN THE EARLY STAGES.

>> ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN O'CONNOR HAS FILED TO OVERTURN THE MCGRIT DECISION.

>> THANK YOU JASON.

WE WERE FORTUNATE TO HIRE TAYLOR JACKSON IN AUGUST AND IN OCTOBER, SHE CREATED AN EXCELLENT PIECE.

>> Reporter: RICH, WILMA MANKILLER REMAINS AN INSPIRATION FOR CHEROKEE NATION AND WOMEN EVERY WHERE AND IT WAS MY PLEASURE TO DISCUSS HER IMPACT WITH THE MAN WHO PROBABLY KNEW HER THE BEST.

>> I HAVEN'T MET ANYONE SO INVOLVED.

>> Reporter: WIDOWER CHARLIE SOAP DESCRIBES THE WOMAN HE KNEW, WILMA MANKILLER.

>> Interview: I LIKED ABOUT HER WAS SHE WAS ALL ABOUT PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE.

AND THE WAY SHE GREW UP, SHE KNEW WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE POOR AND SHE WAS INVOLVED WITH ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT AND BLACK PANTHERS.

>> Reporter: MANKILLER AND HER FAMILY RELOCATED TO CALIFORNIA DUE TO THE INDIAN RELOCATION ACT, CAUSING FAMILYS THE MOVE OUT IN EXCHANGE FOR MONEY.

HISTORIAN DR. BOB BLACKBURN SAYS THIS SHAPED HER INTO AN ACTIVIST.

>> Interview: LOOKING BEYOND YOUR CLAN RELATIONSHIPS AND SAN FRANCISCO IN THE 1960S WAS THIS SOCIAL UNREST.

>> Reporter: WILMA MANKILLER MADE HISTORY IN 1985 WHEN SHE WAS THE FIRST WOMAN ELECTED PRINCIPAL CHIEF.

>> Interview: CHEROKEE NATION HAD NOT HAD A FEMALE PRINCIPAL CHIEF AND SHE IS PUT IN THAT POSITION AND DOES THINGS NO PREVIOUS CHIEF HAD DONE AND SET A STANDARD ACROSS INDIAN COUNTRY FOR LEADERSHIP AND PUSHING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO LIVE UP TO COMMITMENTS.

>> Interview: TODAY WILMA MANKILLER IS SEEN AS ONE OF OUR PIONEERING AMERICANS, NOT JUST IN OKLAHOMA.

>> Reporter: WILMA MANKILLER WAS INVOLVED IN MANY PROJECTS THAT HELPED THE WAY OF LIFE OF THE CHEROKEE NATION.

ONE POPULAR PROJECT, THE BELL PROJECT, HELPING TO BRING RUNNING WATER TO THE BELL COMMUNITY.

>> Interview: SHE SAW THERE WASN'T SUFFICIENT RUNNING WATER FOR PEOPLE IN THAT COMMUNITY.

SHE KNEW THAT WAS WRONG AND WANTED TO TAKE ACTION.

>> Reporter: MANKILLER ALONG WITH OTHER LEADERS PUT TOGETHER A PLAN TO BUILD A 16 MILE WATER PIPELINE.

>> Interview: ONCE WE GOT THE WATER LINE IN, BUILT NEW HOMES AND REMODELLED HOMES.

>> Reporter: THIS LED TO MANKILLER MEETING CHARLIE SOAP.

>> Interview: WHEN WE GOT IN, IT TOOK SOME TIME TO REALLY GET THEM TO BELIEVE IN US OR TRUST US TO SEE THAT WE MEAN WHAT WE SAID ABOUT BRINGING WATER TO THE COMMUNITY.

SHE SAID YOU THINK WE CAN DO IT.

I SAID IT'S GOING TO BE HARD.

SHE SAID YOU BETTER CHANGE YOUR WAY OF THINKING, BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO DO IT.

>> Reporter: SOAP SAYS THE BELL PROJECT WAS THE STARTING POINT OF HER CAREER.

>> Interview: THAT WAS WILMA'S LEADERSHIP THAT REALLY CAME OUT AND JUST INSPIRED HER TO DO MORE IN THE COMMUNITY AND MOTIVATED PEOPLE AND ALSO IT ENCOURAGED PEOPLE TO KEEP ENCOURAGING HER TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

>> Reporter: EVEN THOUGH THE COMMUNITY RESPECTED MANKILLER, HER TRANSITION INTO OFFICE WASN'T EASY.

SOAP DESCRIBES HER FIRST MEETING WITH TRIBAL LEADERS FROM OTHER NATIONS.

>> Interview: THEY WERE ALL MEN AND DIDN'T HAVE A CHAIR FOR HER.

SHE WAS THE CHIEF, ONE OF THE FIRST TRIPS SHE WENT ON.

SO, SHE JUST SAID WELL, I DECIDED I WAS GOING TO SIT WITH THEM AND I'M GOING TO SIT WITH THEM AND I'M GOING TO GO GET MY OWN CHAIR.

SHE GOT HER OWN CHAIR AND MOVED IN ON THEM AND SET THERE.

>> SHE EARNED A LOT OF RESPECT AND AS A WOMAN IN A LEADERSHIP POSITION IN THE 1980S, UNFORTUNATELY SHE HAD TO CLIMB A PRETTY STEEP HILL TO EARN THAT RESPECT BUT EARN IT SHE DID.

>> Reporter: SHE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HELPING THE CHEROKEE NATION DEVELOP ONE OF THE LARGEST HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS IN INDIAN COUNTRY.

>> Interview: HER GOING TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND ESSENTIALLY SAYING YOU NEED TO PROVIDE MORE RESOURCES, YOU NEED TO PROVIDE THE RESOURCES AND GET OUT OF THE WAY.

THE CHEROKEE PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF RUNNING THEIR OWN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

IF SHE WAS AROUND, I THINK SHE WOULD BE VERY PROUD, SHE WOULD SEE THE HEALTH SYSTEM IN TAHLEQUAH GROWING.

>> Interview: SHE IS PART OF THAT LONG LINE OF CHEROKEE LEADERS WHO SAY WE CAN DO BETTER IF WE WORK TOGETHER.

IF WE SHARE THE RESOURCES.

>> Reporter: MANY CHEROKEE WOMEN WERE INSPIRED BY HER STORY.

>> Interview: THERE'S A LOT OF WOMEN IN GREAT LEADERSHIP POSITIONS, HALF OF MY CABINET IS FEMALE.

WE HAVE FEMALE IN LEADERSHIP ON OUR BUSINESS SIDE.

BUT I THINK CHEROKEE NATION, WE'RE GETTING BACK TO OUR ROOTS AND WE ARE A SOCIETY THAT WOMEN HAD A PROMINENT LEADERSHIP ROLE GENERATIONS AGO.

>> Reporter: SOAP SAYS HE IS GRATEFUL THE U.S. GOVERNMENT CHOSE HER TO BE FEATURED ON A SERIES OF QUARTERS.

>> Interview: GETTING RECOGNITION FOR HER WORK, SHE SAID I REPRESENT MY PEOPLE AND I REPRESENT WOMEN AND NOT HAVE TO WORK TWICE AS HARD TO MAKE SURE I LEAVE A GOOD MARK FOR A WOMAN LEADER.

THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER WOMEN BEING FEATURED ON THE COINS.

>> THANK YOU.

"THE OUTSIDERS" WAS PUBLISHED WHEN THE TULSA NATIVE WAS JUST 16 YEARS-OLD.

NOW PEOPLE ARE MAKING A PILGRIMAGE TO REUNITE ON THEIR HOME TURF.

>> ON THE CORNER IN NORTH TULSA SITS A MODEST HOME THAT IS A SHRINE OF SORTS FOR SUSAN ELOISE HINTON'S FIRST NOVEL AND FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA'S 12th FILM.

>> IT'S REALLY COOL, THE IDEA YOU CAN COME IN AND SEE INSIDE HERE AND SEE THE OUTFITS AND BOOKS OVER THERE.

IT IS REALLY COOL YOU CAN BE IN THE HOUSE AND SEE THE MOVIE AND EVERYTHING.

IT'S AWESOME.

>> HAILING FROM JUST OUTSIDE OF HOUSTON, HER MOTHER TEACHES A LITERATURE CLASS THAT INCLUDES "THE OUTSIDERS" IN CURRICULUM.

>> Interview: IT IS HER FAVORITE BOOK AND SHE HAS READ IT SO MANY TIMES, SHE HAD TO TEACH IT AND EVERY TIME SHE RE-READS IT.

IT'S LIKE HER FAVORITE THING EVER.

>> A LOT OF THESE SCHOOL SYSTEMS HAVE 7th AND 8th GRADERS REQUIRED READING.

OF COURSE THEY DO A BOOK REPORT AND MOST OF THEM NOW WATCH THE MOVIE.

>> JOHNNY WAS IN THE HOSPITAL AND THEY COME IN AND MAKING SOME BREAKFAST -- >> Reporter: MICHAEL IS A VOLUNTEER FOR THE MUSEUM THAT IS BECOMING A POPULAR DESTINATION FOR TOURISTS.

>> Interview: WE GET PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, FROM L.A. TO MAINE FROM EL PASO TO CHICAGO AND IRONICALLY, SOMETIMES THIS IS THE KEY STOP ON THEIR WHOLE SUMMER TOUR.

>> Reporter: ADMISSION IS $10 AND ON WEEKENDS THEY AVERAGE ABOUT 150-200 VISITORS, SOME MORE FAMOUS THAN OTHERS.

>> Interview: LEONARDO DICAPRIO CAME THROUGH.

HE KEPT HIS FACE MASK ON THE WHOLE TIME.

NOBODY KNOWS IT IS HIM.

BILLY FROM GREEN DAY.

THEY BROUGHT MOST OF THE BAND THIS TIME AND THE BUZZ WAS GREAT.

I'VE HAD GREG BRADY HERE FROM THE BRADY BUNCH.

♪♪♪ >> Reporter: PART OF HOUSE OF PAIN, O'CONNOR GREW UP IN LOS ANGELES AND IDENTIFIED WITH THE CHARACTERS WHEN HE FIRST SAW THE FILM IN 1983.

>> Interview: I WAS A LATCH KEY KID.

MY MOM WAS GONE AT WORK AND MY FATHER WAS IN PRISON OR LIVING HOMELESS.

WHEN I SEE KIDS RUNNING AROUND WITH SIMILAR SITUATIONS, IF BEST LIFE GETS IS A GROUP OF GUYS WITH YOUR BEST INTEREST SNEAKING INTO DRIVE-IN MOVIE THEATER, THAT'S OKAY.

>> Reporter: HOUSE OF PAIN WAS ON TOUR AND DANNY FOUND HIMSELF IN TULSA WITH TIME TO KILL.

>> Interview: I STARTED TO THINK, WHAT IS TULSA FOR.

WHAT IS IT KNOWN FOR AND IT HIT ME.

I WAS LIKE OH WOW, THE OUTSIDERS AND I STARTED LOOKING AROUND AND IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG TO FIND THE HOUSE.

I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT WAS STILL ON EARTH.

>> Reporter: THERE WAS A FOR SALE SIGN IN THE FRONT YARD.

PRICED $42,000.

>> Interview: YOU COULDN'T BUY A PLACE TO PARK A SECOND CAR FOR THAT IN LOS ANGELES.

THE FACT THAT YOU COULD BUY A HOUSE IN TULSA FOR 42 GRAND AND MUCH LESS THIS HOUSE, NO WAY.

>> Reporter: FIVE YEARS LATER, THE OWNERS LIVING IN FLORIDA, O'CONNOR PURCHASED THE PROPERTY AND ADJOINING LOT FOR 15,000.

>> Interview: I COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT A FOOL I WAS.

THIS PLACE WAS SO BAD AND I KNOW NOTHING OF RESTORATION, MY LAUNDRY IS UNMANAGEABLE MUCH LESS A HOUSE.

I PANICKED AND ASKED FOR HELP.

>> IT TOOK ONE PERSON TO STEP UP AND SAY IF NOT ME, WHO, IF NOT NOW, WHEN.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY ELSE COULD HAVE DONE THIS.

NOBODY STEPPED UP BUT HIM.

>> Reporter: HE COULDN'T AFFORD TO DO IT ALONE.

SO HE STARTED FUNDRAISING.

ONE OF THE FIRST TO CONTRIBUTE, HINTON AND ONE OF THE LAST, JACK WHITE.

>> Interview: HE SAID WHERE ARE YOU AT?

I SAID WE'RE 30 SHY OF THE GOAL.

HE LOOKED AROUND AND SAID THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR, I WANT TO GIVE YOU 30.

>> Reporter: THE RESULTS HAVE EXCEEDED HIS EXPECTATIONS AND LED TO HIS DECISION TO PERMANENTLY RELOCATE TO OKLAHOMA THREE AND A HALF YEARS AGO.

>> Interview: THIS IS WHY I LOVE OKLAHOMA.

THEY LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER.

THE PEOPLE ARE WHAT MAKE IT FOR ME.

I DON'T THINK I WOULD HAVE FOUND THIS SUPPORT IN LOS ANGELES.

>> Reporter: JUST AS HE WAS DRAWN TO THE SITE A DOZEN YEARS AGO, OTHERS COME NOW TO WALK THROUGH ROOMS OCCUPIED BY FAMOUS ACTORS.

>> Interview: THE KITCHEN WAS DÉJÀ VU.

I REMEMBER THE SCENES IN THE KITCHEN.

THE HUMANISM COMING FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND TRYING TO MAKE THEMSELVES INTO SOMETHING AND THEY WERE UP AGAINST EVERYTHING.

>> I DON'T KNOW, HE JUST DIED.

>> STAY TRUE TO WHO YOU ARE.

DON'T TRY TO CHANGE FOR SOMEBODY ELSE AND BE GOOD IN YOUR HEART AND EVERYTHING ELSE IS GOING TO MAKE SENSE IN THE END.

>> Reporter: IT'S A UNIFYING, UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE AND AS YOU CAN SEE, THIS MOVIE HAS BEEN TRANSLATED INTO SEVERAL AND EVERY ONE OF THEM SPEAKS TO THE MUSEUM'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

>> Interview: IT'S KIDS WHO DON'T LIKE TO READ LIKE MYSELF THAT YOU GIVE THIS BOOK AND THEY FIND THIS NEW UNIVERSE.

I FELT I WAS HOME.

>> ON MARCH 11th 2020, AN NBA BASKETBALL GAME BETWEEN THE THUNDER AND JAZZ WERE POSTPONED, MARKING THE UNOFFICIAL START OF THE COVID PANDEMIC.

A LOT HAS CHANGED SINCE THEN.

>> Reporter: A LOT HAS CHANGED STARTING WITH THE NAME OF THE ARENA.

BUT ON APRIL 17TH, THE THEN CHESAPEAKE ARENA WELCOMED BACK FANS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 13 MONTHS.

♪♪♪ >> IT'S LIKE COMING HOME.

WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO OKLAHOMA CITY AND SAYING WE'RE BACK, LET'S GET STARTED.

AND LET'S GET OUR INDUSTRY BACK AND RUNNING.

>> Reporter: JIM WHITE, PRODUCTION MANAGER FOR THE PROFESSIONAL BULL RIDERS UNLEASH THE BEAST TOURS SAYS IT STARTS WITH THE CONVERSION OF CHESAPEAKE ARENA FROM HARDWOOD TO DIRT.

>> Interview: 300 TONS.

THERE'S 30-35 OF THESE TRUCKS DUMPING OVER THE NEXT FIVE HOURS.

>> Reporter: ADDING 8-10 INCHES OF DIRT FILLING AN ARENA CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC SINCE LAST MARCH.

>> THE GAME TONIGHT HAS BEEN POSTPONED.

>> Interview: BASICALLY SINCE DAY ONE, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON REOPENING.

WE HAVE BEEN PUTTING INTO MOTION ALL OF THE THINGS WE HAVE GOING ON IN THE BUILDING NOW TO ALLOW GUESTS BACK.

WE HAVE SEAT BARRIERS TO DO POD SEATING, WE ARE CASHLESS.

WE HAVE DONE TONS OF UPGRADES TO PREPARE FOR THE DAY WE BRING FANS BACK.

>> Reporter: INCLUDING ENFORCEMENT OF MASK MANDATE AND SOCIAL DISTANCING PROTOCOLS.

>> Interview: YOU'RE WALKING DOWN THE HALLS AND SEEING PEOPLE YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IN MONTHS.

THE EXCITEMENT IS UNBELIEVABLE.

THE BUZZ IS SO GREAT TO BRING FANS BACK.

>> Reporter: AND THE PBR IS MORE THAN HAPPY TO WORK WITH THEM.

>> Interview: WE HAVE REOPENED ABOUT FIVE ARENAS ALREADY.

A LOT OF THE PROTOCOLS WERE DEVELOPED BY US LAST YEAR, FIVE WEEKS AFTER THE PANDEMIC HIT, WE WERE DEVELOPING PROTOCOLS AND BUCKING BULLS IN SEQUESTERED ARENAS DEVELOPING PROTOCOLS.

>> Reporter: AS SOON AS THE ARENA WAS READY FOR THEM, THE LIVESTOCK ARRIVED, INCLUDING LOCAL BULLS.

A STOCK CONTRACTOR FROM OKLAHOMA.

>> Interview: OKLAHOMA IS KNOWN FOR CATTLE.

YOU KNOW RAISING AND BREEDING CATTLE.

YOU GET OUT IN THE COUNTRY BETWEEN OIL AND GAS AND CATTLE.

MY FAMILY HAS BEEN RAISING I GUESS YOU COULD SAY BEEF FOR A LONG TIME FEEDING THE COUNTRY.

I GUESS I KIND OF TOOK THE OTHER TURN A LITTLE BIT.

>> Reporter: AFTER DOING SOME RODEO AND BULL RIDING, HE RAISES THE ANIMALS.

THESE BULLS ARE AS ATHLETIC AS THE MEN WHO RIDE THEM.

>> Interview: THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO MAKE A BULL BUCK.

THEY HAVE TO LOVE AND WANT TO DO IT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THE RIDERS HAVE TO QUALIFY AND THE BULLS HAVE TO DO THE SAME.

THEY HAVE TO CREATE ENOUGH STATS THE GET HERE AS WELL.

THEY HAVE TO EARN THEIR WAY TO GET HERE.

>> Reporter: CREATING BULLS FOR BUCKING IS FAR DIFFERENT THAN RAISING CATTLE FOR BEEF.

>> Interview: YOU RAISE CATTLE TO FEED THE WORLD.

HOW MUCH THEY WEIGH AND THE RATE AND THINGS ARE IMPORTANT.

WHEN YOU SWITCH AND RAISE THEM, IT'S HOW THEY PERFORM IN THE AREASON A.

THE ONES THAT LOVE IT CONTINUE TO GET BETTER AT IT AND THRIVE.

AS FAR AS THE BREEDING PROGRAM, YOU'RE LOOKING FOR THE SAME THING.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, ALL BULLS CAN BUCK, IT IS KIND OF LIKE IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A RACE HORSE, ALL HORSES CAN RUN, BUT THE ONES YOU SEE AT THE KENTUCKY DERBY IS FASTER AND TRAINED AND FED AND GEARED UP TO DO THAT.

AND THE BULLS THAT YOU SEE HERE TODAY ARE THE SAME.

>> Reporter: THE HUMAN COMPONENT IN THE EIGHT SECOND EQUATION COMES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

>> Interview: WHEN I WAS A KID, MY UNCLE WAS A COWBOY AND STUFF AND I HAD A COUPLE OF UNCLES THAT DID RODEOING AND STUFF.

THEY WERE BASICALLY LIKE MY OLDER BROTHERS AND FOLLOWED THEM AROUND AND THEY TAUGHT ME A FEW THINGS.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO HELMETS AND PROTECTION GEAR, THEY CAN COUNT ON WELL-TRAINED HELP.

>> Interview: WE WORK IN THE SAME DIRECTION.

IF THE BULL IS TURNING TO THEIR LEFT-HAND SIDE, WE WANT TO GO THE SAME WAY AS THE BULL.

SO THAT WE'RE NOT RUNNING INTO EACH OTHER AND PART OF OUR JOB IS GETTING THE BULLS TO GO WHERE WE WANT HIM TO GO BY USING HIS NATURAL MOVEMENT.

>> Reporter: THE REAL THRILL IS NOT IN DODGING THE BULL, IT IS PROTECTING THE RIDER.

>> Interview: I WANTED TO DO THIS SINCE I WAS FOUR OR FIVE, IF IT WASN'T BULL FIGHTING, IT WOULD BE LAW ENFORCEMENT, MILITARY, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

I LIKE HELPING PEOPLE AND THERE'S NO FEELING LIKE WALKING OUT OF THE ARENA KNOWING SOMEBODY IS GOING HOME TO THEIR FAMILY THAT PROBABLY WOULDN'T IF IT WASN'T FOR YOU.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THE PAIN, HE LEFT THE COMPETITION KNOWING HE RODE SOME OF THE BEST BULLS IN THE WORLD.

>> Interview: I KNEW COMING INTO IT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ASKED ABOUT THE BULLS AND I WAS RIGHT.

THERE WERE SO MANY 45 AND 44 POINT BULLS SCORED.

>> Reporter: IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR THE BEST BUCKING BULLS, YOU HAVE COME TO THE RIGHT STATE.

>> Interview: OKLAHOMA IS KIND OF THE MECCA OF THE BUCKING BULL WORLD.

WE THINK THE BEST IN THE WORLD ARE RAISED IN OKLAHOMA.

>> THE PBR UNLEASH THE BEAST TOUR RETURNS TO OKLAHOMA CITY FOR A TWO DAY EVENT ON FEBRUARY 11TH AND 12TH 2022.

RICH?

>> THANK YOU.

WHEN WE EXPANDED THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT TO A FULL HOUR, WE ADDED AN INTERVIEW SEGMENT CALLED IN DEPTH.

ON MAY 28TH, THE DIFFICULT TOPIC OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN OKLAHOMA.

>> THANK YOU RICH, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT TOPIC FOR OKLAHOMA AND I'M JOINED BY AN ESTEEMED PANEL OF GUESTS TO TALK ABOUT IT WITH EVERYONE.

WE HAVE MIKE SNOWDEN, THE AGENT IN CHARGE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING DIVISION FOR OKLAHOMA BUREAU OF NARCOTICS, THE COFOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FOR THE DRAGONFLY HOME.

BAMBI ORTIZ, THE FOUNDER OF ANGELS AGAINST TRAFFICKING FOUNDATION AND THE COALITION OF TRUCKERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

MIKE, YOU ARE INVOLVED WITH HUMAN TRAFFICKING ON THE FRONT LINES.

TELL US WHAT IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING?

>> HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS EXPLOITATION OF VULNERABLE PEOPLE THROUGHOUT OUR STATE THROUGH FORCE, FRAUD OR COERCING.

COMMERCIAL SEX, THE FORCED PROSTITUTION OF ADULTS OR VIRTUALLY ANY PROSTITUTION OF A MINOR UNDER 18.

PUT SIMPLY, IT IS BEING FORCED TO DO SOMETHING EITHER IN LABOR OR PROSTITUTION THAT YOU CHOOSE NOT TO DO.

IN OKLAHOMA, USUALLY HUMAN TRAFFICKING PROSTITUTION.

MOST OF IT IS DOMESTIC, OCCURRING WITHIN OUR STATE AND LITERALLY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH I-40, I-35 OR I-44.

IT IS OKLAHOMA CITIZENS EXPLOITING OTHER OKLAHOMA CITIZENS.

IF WE'RE LOOKING FOR SOME BOOGIE MAN FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE COMMITTING A CRIME, WE'RE LOOKING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

IT IS US AND IT IS LOCALS EXPLOITING OTHER LOCALS.

AND SOMETIMES, AS MUCH AS 15% OF THAT IS IN THE FAMILY MEMBERS EXPLOITING EACH OTHER.

MOTHERS EXPLOITING DAUGHTERS AND HUSBANDS EXPLOITING WIVES.

IT IS VERY MUCH A DOMESTIC SITUATION IN OKLAHOMA.

>> MELISSA, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

RESEARCHING THIS, I HAVE LEARNED A LOT ALREADY.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK -- TALK ABOUT THE HIGHWAY SYSTEM AS BEING THE CAUSE.

OF COURSE IT CAN BE TRAFFICKERS CAN USE THE HIGHWAY SYSTEMS BUT LIKE MIKE SAYS, WHAT WE SEE AT DRAGONFLY, THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WE SERVE WERE BORN AND RAISED AND EXPLOITED IN OKLAHOMA.

IF WE BLAME THE HIGHWAY SYSTEM AND TRY TO LOOK AT THE OUTER FACTORS, WE'RE MISSING VULNERABILITIES IN THE STATE THAT CAN CREATE THE VULNERABILITIES THAT TRAFFICKERS ARE SAVVY ABOUT AND KNOW TO PREY ON.

THE DIFFERENT ISSUES WE HAVE IN OKLAHOMA THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO DO GOOD WORK ON, THOSE CONTRIBUTE TO WHY PEOPLE CAN BE TARGETED HERE.

SOMETHING ELSE YOU HAVE TOUCHED ON, A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS ELSE WHERE, THAT HAPPENS TO PEOPLE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES.

OF COURSE IT DOES, BUT TO TRY TO PUT DISTANCE BETWEEN HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND THEMSELVES, IN VIRTUALLY ANY TOWN, ANY AREA OF THIS STATE, RURAL, SUBURBAN OR CITY, THERE IS LIKELY TRAFFICKING GOING ON THERE.

AND ANOTHER ONE I WOULD POINT OUT THAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW, SOCIAL MEDIA, THE INTERNET, THAT KIND OF THING, CHATTING ON VIDEO GAMES, DATING APPS, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT TRAFFICKERS REGULARLY USED TO TARGET PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY YOUTH.

AND SO, AGAIN, WHEN WE TRY TO PUT THIS DISTANCE BETWEEN OURSELVES AND TRAFFICKING OR TRY TO BLAME IT ON SOMETHING ELSE OR THINK ABOUT THESE DIFFERENT MISCONCEPTIONS, WE CAN MISS HOW TRAFFICKERS ARE REACHING OUT TO BOTH KIDS AND ADULTS IN THEIR OWN HOMES, DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM OVER SOCIAL MEDIA TO GAIN CONTROL OVER SOMEONE.

>> I THINK THAT SEGUES NICELY INTO ESTER, TRUCKERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING.

YOU ARE BEING AN ARMY OF EYES AND EARS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> SO TRUCKERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING IS DEDICATED TO EDUCATING, EQUIPPING AND EMPOWERING MEMBERS OF THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY, TRUCK DRIVERS, BUS DRIVERS, TRUCKSTOP EMPLOYEES, SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS, TRANSIT PERSONNEL, THESE INDUSTRIES THAT HAVE THESE HUGE INFRASTRUCTURES ACROSS EVERY STATE AND INFUSING THOSE INDUSTRIES WITH INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC TRAINING SO THEY KNOW WHAT A POTENTIAL MIGHT LOOK LIKE AND INTERSECT WITH IT IN THEIR DAILY JOBS.

THIS IS A CRIME THAT HAPPENS IN PLAIN SIGHT.

IT COULD BE A VICTIM TRYING TO BOARD A BUS IN ORDER TO ESCAPE A TRAFFICKING SITUATION OR A VULNERABLE YOUTH RUNNING AWAY FROM A BAD SITUATION AT HOME AND VERY CLOSE TO GETTING CLOSE TO TRAFFICKERS WHO MAY BE LOOMING IN THE BUS STATIONS LOOKING FOR THE VULNERABILITIES.

AND IF WE EQUIP THESE INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS TO JUST RECOGNIZE THOSE RED FLAGS.

TO JUST TAKE THE SECOND LOOK AND MAYBE SEE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO MIGHT NEED HELP OR MAYBE THEY GET THAT GUT FEELING AND MAKE A CALL TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SAY HERE'S WHAT I'M SEEING AND TURN THAT OVER, WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF RECOVERY BECAUSE OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND INDIVIDUALS BEING TRAINED ON THE SIGNS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND REPORTING IT.

>> BAMBI, YOU HAVE A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE TO BRING TO THIS CONVERSATION.

YOU HAVE A PERSONAL STORY.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THAT STORY WITH US.

>> I WAS A RUNAWAY FROM THE FOSTER SYSTEM AND FELL VICTIM TO A TRAFFICKER AND THE YEARS THAT FOLLOW WERE 27 YEARS I WAS CAUGHT UP IN THAT LIFESTYLE.

THERE WASN'T A LOT BACK THEN IN THE EARLY 90S.

I THINK IN 2017 WOMEN IN RECOVERY CHANGED ME.

WHEN I WAS 13, I WAS A VICTIM, I THINK MY COUNSELOR TOLD ME YOU WERE RAPED MULTIPLE TIMES AND DIDN'T REALIZE IT.

WITH 27 YEARS BEING THAT WAY, IT WAS CONSTANT, CONSTANT TURMOIL.

IT IS MY NONPROFIT AND I STARTED THAT TO GIVE BACK.

I'M A RESOURCE OF A RESOURCE, I GIVE RESOURCES TO WOMEN STILL ON THE STREET, HEAVY KNOWN PROSTITUTION AREAS IN TULSA.

I LOVE ON THEM UNTIL THEY CAN LOVE THEMSELVES.

THEY NEED HELP.

>> AND WHEN YOU'RE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH ANYONE, NOT JUST A SPOUSE OR PARTNER, YOU START LIVING IN FEAR AND THAT IS A BIG PSYCHOLOGICAL OBSTACLE TO OVERCOME, CORRECT?

>> YES, I FEEL THERE'S A PLAY BOOK.

WHEN I WAS 13, I FEEL LIKE EVERYTHING HE WAS SAYING WAS LIKE I'LL TAKE CARE OF YOU.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK IN THE SYSTEM.

YOUR FAMILY DOESN'T LOVE YOU.

IT'S MENTAL CONDITIONING TO GET YOU TO THAT POINT AND THEN THE FEAR.

SO THERE'S SO MANY OBSTACLES AND THERE NEEDS TO BE SO MANY MORE PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS.

>> WHAT OUR FRIEND DESCRIBED WAS GROOMING AND CONDITIONING AND I'VE NEVER IN MY 11 YEARS OF WORKING HUMAN TRAFFICKING MET A VICTIM WHO WAS TRAFFICKED BY SOMEONE THEY DIDN'T KNOW.

SOMEONE THEY AT ONE POINT TRUSTED.

SOMEONE WHO DEVELOPED A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM.

I APPRECIATE THE HONESTY FROM BAMBI, THE WILLINGNESS TO BE VULNERABLE TODAY BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE SEE DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST VULNERABILITIES RIGHT NOW IS ECONOMIC.

WE SEE PEOPLE WITHOUT JOBS, WE SEE PEOPLE WHO OWE SIGNIFICANT DEBT AND THAT JUST INCREASES THE VULNERABILITY.

>> IT SURE DOES.

IT IS FINANCIAL ABUSE, TOO.

THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO BE LOCKED IN A PRISON WITHOUT BEING BEHIND BARS.

MELISSA, I WANT TO TALK TO YOU, BAMBI SAYS SHE IS A RESOURCE FOR RESOURCES.

TALK ABOUT YOUR RESOURCE AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE CONTACTS DRAGONFLY.

>> OKLAHOMA CITY'S ONLY NONPROFIT CERTIFIED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE FOR SEX TRAFFICKING AND LABOR TRAFFICKING.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU BAMBI FOR YOUR STORY.

IT ECHOS WHAT PEOPLE WE SERVE HAVE TOLD US AS WELL.

PEOPLE WILL FIND US OFTEN THROUGH OUR 24-HOUR HUMAN TRAFFICKING HELP LINE, OUR OWN HELP LINE WE OPERATE AND THEY MIGHT FIND US THROUGH A GOOGLE SEARCH, THROUGH SOMEONE LIKE BAMBI.

THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA, WORD OF MOUTH.

SOMETIMES SOMEBODY MIGHT BE RECOVERED OUT OF A SITUATION FOR A LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATION OR REFERRED BY A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.

AS AWARENESS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING INCREASES IN OKLAHOMA, SO DO THE NUMBER OF REFERRALS WE GET.

THEY'RE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF EVERY SERVICE THEY RECEIVE.

WE PROVIDE THERAPEUTIC CASE MANAGEMENT AND OFTEN TIMES PEOPLE MIGHT WANT MEDICAL CARE RIGHT AWAY.

SOME WOMEN COME TO US WHEN THEY'RE PREGNANT.

THEY NEED PRENATAL CARE.

THEY MIGHT WANT TO GET SOME LEGAL SERVICES.

THEY MIGHT NEED HELP TESTIFYING AGAINST A TRAFFICKER SO WE HAVE A COURT ADVOCACY PROGRAM CONNECTING TO TRAUMA FOCUSED THERAPY AND BASIC NECESSITIES.

RIGHT NOW THERE'S NO CERTIFIED TRAFFICKING SHELTER IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

WE USE OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE SOMEONE HAS ACCESS TO SAFE APPROPRIATE HOUSING AND ANY BASIC NECESSITIES.

WE OPERATE A CRISIS CENTER THAT MEANS THAT ANYBODY WHO HAS BEEN TRAFFICKED IN ANY WAY REGARDLESS OF THEIR GENDER CAN GET HELP AT OUR PLACE.

WE'RE JUST MAKING SURE PEOPLE GET WHAT THEY NEED.

>> THE MATERIALS, THE TRAINING YOU ARE DOING THAT I HAVE READ ABOUT AND YOU TOUCHED ON A BIT ARE PHENOMENAL WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT -- I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST FOR TRUCKERS BUT YOU TALKED ABOUT FOLKS GETTING ON A BUS.

IT CAN BE AN INDIVIDUAL -- IT'S NOT A BIG OPERATION THAT PEOPLE ARE TRAINED TO LOOK FOR.

IT'S THESE LITTLE SIGNS.

HAVE YOU SEEN SUCCESS WITH THIS AND IS THERE A WAY FOLKS NOT EMPLOYED IN THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY CAN ACCESS SOME OF YOUR INFORMATION?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE SEEN RESULTS.

TO DATE TRUCKERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING HAS TRAINED OVER A MILLION INDIVIDUALS WITH OUR FREE INDUSTRY SPECIFIC TRAINING MATERIALS AND WE HAVE TRAINING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, RECOGNIZING WE NEED TO BE PARTNERS BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS TO COMBAT THESE CRIMES AND THOSE INDIVIDUALS HAVE LED TO OVER 2782 CALLS BY PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVERS INTO THE NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE.

ALL OF OUR MATERIALS HAVE THE HOTLINE NUMBER THAT ANYONE IN THE U.S. CAN CALL TO REPORT A TIP.

THE HOTLINE IS THEN GOING TO CONNECT THAT TIP WITH LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT LIKE THESE ON THE CALLS, THERE LOCALLY READY TO RESPOND.

>> BAMBI, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO FOLKS OUT THERE WHO MAY BE LEARNED SOMETHING NEW AND HAD IDEAS ABOUT WHAT THEY THOUGHT HUMAN TRAFFICKING WAS AND WHETHER THEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> I WANT TO BRING A FACE TO THE PROBLEM OF SEX TRAFFICKING AND I WANT TO SAY IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME.

TODAY YOU MIGHT HAVE A DAUGHTER THAT GETS MAD AT YOU FOR DOING DISHES AND GETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND THAT'S THE BIG WARNING SIGN TODAY.

IT WASN'T SO MUCH IN THE EARLY 90S BUT TODAY THAT'S HOW PREDATORS GET AT YOUR CHILDREN.

LIKE EVERYONE WAS SAYING, BE AWARE OF THE SIGNS AND PROTECT YOUR BABIES AND MOST OF ALL, DON'T PASS JUDGMENT ON THE WOMEN OUT THERE.

IF YOU DRIVE BY A HIGH RISK AREA, INSTEAD OF PASSING JUDGMENT, JUST OFFER WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE, I HAVE PUBLISHED A BOOK THAT IS A DETAILED REFLECTION OF MY LIFE.

IT WILL PROBABLY MAKE YOU CRY BUT IT IS REALITY THAT GOES ON TODAY.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP.

GET AHOLD OF AN ORGANIZATION, OFFER TO MAKE DONATIONS.

YOU CAN FIND ME AT ANGEL AGAINST TRAFFICKING.

KEEP YOUR BABIES SAFE AND KNOW THE SIGNS.

ANYBODY CAN HELP.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE HAVE BEEN SHOWING THE WEB ADDRESSES FOR THE ORGANIZATIONS AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, THE NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE IS 888-373-7888 AND AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY ON THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC.

THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WITH A LOOK AT A REHEARSAL FOR THE OKLAHOMA CITY BALLET'S LITTLE MERMAID.

HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING WEEKEND.

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