Facebook Twitter Email
MAY 17, 2001

After settlement talks failed, a federal judge in Oklahoma on Wednesday refused to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the federal recognition of the Delaware Tribe.

The Cherokee Nation has opposed he status because it doesn't want the Delaware Tribe to exert sovereignty over lands within its northeastern Oklahoma jurisdiction. The Delaware Tribe was once part of the Cherokee Nation until the federal government recognized it as a separate sovereign in 1996.

The Loyal Shawnee Tribe, once part of the Cherokee Nation, was recognized as a separate sovereign by Congress last year. But federal law prohibits the Shawnee from making certain decisions without the Cherokee Nation's approval.

Get the Story:
Bargaining fails, Cherokee Nation suit stands (The Tulsa World 5/17)
Judge refuses to dismiss tribal lawsuit (The Daily Oklahoman 5/17)

Relevant Links:
The Cherokee Nation - http://www.cherokee.org

Related Stories:
Tribes dispute sovereignty (2/7)
Cherokee-Delaware case up for dismissal (1/24)
Clinton signs a final Indian bill (12/29)