The newly elected chairman of the Delaware Tribe of Oklahoma said restoring the tribe's federal recognition and federal funding will be his top priority.

Jerry Douglas won the position, beating several candidates. He most recently served as assistant chief.

The tribe was removed from the list of federally recognized entities due to litigation by the Cherokee Nation. The Cherokees say the Delawares were unlawfully recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed in a case that was refused by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The decision led to the ouster of former chief Joe Brooks.

Get the Story:
New Delaware chief calls for tribe to unite under his administration (The Bartlesville Examiner Enterprise 1/26)
Delawares elect new leader (The Native American Times 1/25)

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 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)