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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2002

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on Wednesday approved without objection a bill to change how land holdings belonging to members of the Five Civilized Nations are handled.

Currently, probate, leasing and other land activities of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole tribes are handled in state court. Individual Indian beneficiaries are subject to adverse land possession, auctions and other practices that have diminished their property holdings.

The bill would transfer these functions to the Department of Interior. Leaders of the five tribes support the bill.

Leaders of the Delaware Tribe and the United Keetowah Band of Cherokee Indians are worried the Cherokee Nation will be able to assert jurisdiction over their members. Techical changes might be made later.

Get the Story:
Senate panel OKs Indian land revision (The Daily Oklahoman 9/26)

Get the Bill:
Five Nations Citizens Land Reform Act (H.R.2880)

Relevant Documents:
Witness List (9/20) | Video: Senate hearing (9/20)

Related Stories:
BIA lease auction draws high bids (9/16)
BIA taking bids for Indian land (9/12)
BIA and Okla. tribe accused of interference (8/29)