For the first time since the end of the termination era, a tribe is being taken off the list of federally-recognized entities.

The Delaware Tribe of Oklahoma will be removed from the list in a matter of days, KOTV reports. The tribe will lose $6 million in federal funding and be forced to terminate services for 11,000 tribal members. More than 50 employees will be put out of work.

The tribe is being removed due to actions by the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. The Cherokees challenged the Bureau of Indian Affairs' decision to recognize the Delawares as a separate tribe. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last November that the BIA's decision was "unlawful."

Get the Story:
The Delawares Will Soon Be Taken Off The List Of Federally Recognized Tribes (KOTV 3/22)

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)