Quapaw Nation Disappointed With Recent Tulsa King Episode, In Talks With Studio

The Quapaw Nation said it is in communication with Paramount+ after being disappointed at how its leaders are portrayed in a recent episode of Tulsa King.

They said the episode depicts tribal leaders being involved in a criminal conspiracy involving marijuana and wind energy.

The Quapaw Nation said it is optimistic a resolution will be found quickly and hopes this serves as a lesson for other networks and production companies, to communicate with tribal nations before representing them in movies and shows.

"There was a lot of people watching it and a lot of people having to stop their DVR and rewinding it, 'Did I hear it right?' And then almost immediately the fallout began right after that,” Quapaw Nation Communications Director Barry Linduff said in an interview.

In a statement released a few days after episode 4 of season 2 was available to viewers, the Quapaw Nation called it “cultural appropriation.”

Linduff said that statement sparked a conversation with writer Taylor Sheridan, and Paramount+.

"I will say the progress has been very productive on these things,” Linduff said. “Just the fact that we're having to have the conversations to begin with, is a little disheartening."

The Quapaw Nation said it was never consulted or given the opportunity to approve or reject the use of the sovereign nation's name.

"We're cautiously optimistic that a resolution will be on the horizon that will bring some respect back to Quapaw Nation."

News On 6 reached out to Paramount Plus late Monday afternoon for a comment and has not heard back yet.

A link to the scene can be found here.

The Quapaw Nation's full statement:

Image Provided By: Quapaw Nation