OKLAHOMA CAPITOL --- Representatives from the 38 nationally recognized tribal governments in Oklahoma will join federal and state officials on Feb. 28 at the Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, for the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for Reporting and Investigating Child Abuse Criminal Offenses in Indian Country.

The ceremony will begin at 1:00 p.m. with a presentation of colors by Riverside Indian School, followed by the Flag Song, performed by Steve Littleman of the Kiowa Cheyenne Tribe. Roy Ross, Ottawa Tribe, will lead the prayer and the Kenwood School Choir will also perform.

The Memorandum of Understanding is an agreed upon set of guidelines that are used in cases where an Indian child in Indian Country appears to be the victim of physical or sexual abuse or when the suspected perpetrator appears to be Indian, regardless of the race of the victim.

These guidelines include the coordination of Child Protection Teams, what entities must be notified when a case is reported, an outline of jurisdiction and prosecution, emergency removal of a child and what must be done within 36 hours of a report.

Signing the agreement with tribal leaders will be Oklahoma’s United States Attorneys, David E. O’Meilia, Northern District, Robert G. McCampbell, Western District and Sheldon J. Sperling, Eastern District. Also signing will be representatives from the FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Oklahoma Department of Human Services and Indian Health Services.

To report suspected child abuse, call the OKDHS Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-522-3511. For information and tips on parenting, click on http://www.okparent.org/.

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