The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma says it will recognize the sovereignty of the Delaware Tribe if the Delaware Tribe drops its U.S. Supreme Court appeal.

The Delawares were kicked off the list of federally recognized tribes by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. In a November 2004 decision, the court said the Bureau of Indian Affairs erred in recognizing the tribe as a separate sovereign, a status opposed by the Cherokee Nation.

The Cherokees now say they will recognize the tribe's status as long as the Delawares drop the appeal [Supreme Court docket] and agree to submit to the civil and criminal jurisdiction of the Cherokee Nation. The Delawares have yet to formally consider the offer.

Get the Story:
Cherokees Make Offer to Delawares (The Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise 6/24)

Get the 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 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)