The Delaware Tribe of Oklahoma will submit to the authority of the Cherokee Nation in order to regain its federal recognition.

The two tribes are proposing legislation to treat the Delawares as a separate tribe so long as the Cherokees agree. "We understand we're not going to be able to operate freely. It's with the consent of the Cherokee Nation," a tribal member told The Oklahoman.

Right now, the Delawares are considered a part of the larger Cherokee Nation. The Cherokees went to court to prevent the Bureau of Indian Affairs from treating the Delawares as a separate tribe.

Previously, the Cherokee Nation agreed to legislation that recognized the Shawnee Tribe as a separate entity. The Shawnees have to get the Cherokee's approval for any land-into-trust decisions.

Get the Story:
Tribe seeks former status lost in court (The Oklahoman 7/28)
Tribes agree to pursue quest for federal recognition (The Native American Times 7/27)

10th Circuit Decision:
Cherokee Nation v. Norton (November 16, 2004)

Lower Court Decision:
Cherokee Nation v. DOI (7/23)

Relevant Documents:
Federal Register Notice/Ada Deer Announcement (September 1996)

Relevant Links:
Delaware Tribe of Indians - http://www.delawaretribeofindians.nsn.us
Cherokee Nation - http://www.cherokee.org

Related Stories:
Delaware Tribe to auction historic headquarters (06/27)
New Delaware chief seeks deal with Cherokee Nation (02/03)
New Delaware chairman makes recognition a priority (1/26)
Delaware Tribe continues fight to regain recognition (1/18)
Delaware Tribe closes up after losing recognition (12/12)
Loss of Delaware recognition prompts recall of chief (11/09)
Supreme Court refuses Delaware Tribe's case (10/04)
Delaware Tribe kicked off federally recognized list (03/22)
Delaware Tribe loses separate federal status (11/17)
'Fight the Cherokee Nation until hell freezes over' (11/17)
Oklahoma tribes lead pack in out-of-state land claims (08/16)
Delaware Tribe wants out-of-state land for casino (10/19)
Delaware Tribe seeks land in Kansas for gaming (04/23)
Delaware tribal ties to Penn. uncontested (05/20)
Delaware ancestor was granted 315 acres in Penn. (5/16)
Delaware tribal status dispute continues (08/01)
Okla. tribe seeks Cherokee independence (7/31)
Clinton signs a final Indian bill (12/29)