Chad Smith, the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, has renounced his membership in the United Keetoowah Band.

Smith was enrolled in the UKB by his grandmother. He was facing banishment from the UKB over the Cherokee Nation's opposition to the much-smaller tribe. A hearing was scheduled on September 3, the official Cherokee national holiday when Smith gives the state-of-the-nation address.

The Cherokee Nation is currently fighting the UKB's request to acquire land for gaming purposes.

Get the Story:
Cherokee chief decides to withdraw name from Keetoowah rolls (AP 9/1)

Relevant Links:
United Keetoowah Band - http://unitedkeetoowahband.org
Cherokee Nation - http://www.cherokee.org

Related Stories:
UKB sets hearing for removal of Cherokee Chad Smith (8/23)
UKB discusses banishing Cherokee's Chad Smith (07/12)
Cherokee Nation threatens county over UKB trust (05/26)
Keetoowah Band survives despite CNO opposition (03/15)