The newly elected chief of the Delaware Tribe of Oklahoma says voters gave him a "mandate" to pursue a federal recognition deal with the Cherokee Nation.

Chief Jerry Douglas, elected to his first full term, supports proposed legislation to treat the Delawares as a separate tribe. Right now, they are considered part of the Cherokee Nation.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs had previously treated the Delawares as a different entity but the Cherokees went to court and won a lawsuit that kicked the Delawares off the list of recognized tribes.

The proposal legislation would subject the Delawares to the Cherokee Nation's authority.

Get the Story:
Chief of Delawares given confidence vote (The Oklahoman 11/10)
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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 elects Jerry Douglas for full term (11/9)
Delaware Tribe elects pro-recognition chief (11/6)
Delaware chief backs Cherokee recognition deal (10/12)
Opinion: Oppose Delaware-Cherokee 'recognition' (10/11)
Delaware candidates debate recognition legislation (10/5)
Delaware members oppose deal with Cherokee Nation (09/14)
Delaware elders to discuss federal recognition bill (9/12)
Former Delaware leaders question Cherokee deal (08/29)
Delaware Tribe hopes for recognition in a year (08/16)
Delaware Tribe agrees to Cherokee Nation authority (7/28)
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)
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