The former chief of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokees says controversial University of Colorado professor Ward Churchill never proved his Cherokee heritage and has abused his "associate" membership in the tribe.

John Ross said Churchill was granted associate status after he befriended elderly tribal members. But he is not qualified for full membership because he can't show he is at least 1/4 Cherokee, Ross said.

Churchill told The Denver Post he is 3/16 Cherokee. That would qualify him for membership in the Cherokee Nation, which has no blood quantum requirement, but an analyst for the tribe said he never applied.

Churchill was the subject of a CU regents meeting last night that turned into a melee when supporters and opponents clashed. The regents are considering firing Churchill for an essay that compared the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to Nazis.

Get the Story:
Churchill's membership in tribe honorary only (The Denver Rocky Mountain News 2/4)
Prof faces CU review (The Denver Post 2/4)
Text of regents' resolution (AP 2/4)
Review may lead to Churchill firing (AP 2/3)
Senate joins House in blasting Churchill (AP 2/3)

Read the Essay:
"Some People Push Back" On the Justice of Roosting Chickens (Pockets of Resistance September 2001)

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