Copyright © 2006 NLThomas
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News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2006 CNO
TAHLEQUAH/BARTLESVILLE, OKLAHOMA – The Chiefs of the Cherokee Nation and the Delaware Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma will jointly propose a bill to the United States Congress on Thursday, July 27 to confer federal recognition to the Delaware Tribe. The Chiefs have made a commitment to jointly propose the legislation which could end years of court claims and court interpretations and move forward the Delaware’s federal recognition status.
Delaware Chief Jerry Douglas and Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith will meet in Washington, D.C. to personally deliver the bill. The bill specifically requests that the Delaware Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma, be considered recognized in the Federal Register.
“I am very hopeful that this bill and the successful negotiations we have had with Chief Douglas and the Delaware Tribe will be fully accepted by Congress,” said Chief Smith. “The Delaware are also Cherokee citizens and what is good for them is good for us. We have negotiated fair terms and look forward to creating new partnerships with the Delaware tribe on future programs and services. I believe that this will bring new opportunities to all of our citizens.”
“I am appreciative of the working relationship that has been established with Chief Smith,” said Chief Douglas. “I am looking forward to providing a better quality of life for Delaware Tribal members that can only be achieved through tribal sovereignty and federal recognition.”
The draft legislation is the product of many hours of detailed negotiations. The legislation could bring resolution to the much interpreted 1867 Agreement the tribes entered into according to the treaties with the United States. The 1867 Agreement has been the focus of a great deal of legal disputes over the last 139 years. The two tribes hold that it is in the best interest of their citizens to reach a mutual resolution and achieve separate federal recognition for the Delaware Tribe.
The Delaware’s Tribal Council met on Monday, July 24 to discuss the bill and voted 6 – 0 in favor of presenting the bill to Congress. One council member was absent.
As a federally recognized tribe the Delaware Tribe will be eligible for special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians. With Department of the Interior federal recognition status, the Delaware Tribe will become a sovereign tribal entity with the rights of self government. If accepted, the bill will also recognize the Delaware Tribe’s 1982 Constitution.
In the proposed bill, the Cherokee Nation fully protects its existing sovereignty and preserves the integrity of the Cherokee Nation’s territory and jurisdiction.
It is a historic achievement for the tribes to strike this amenable balance in their negotiations and to make this joint presentation to Congress.
Related path(s):
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
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Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |