Officials of the Delaware Tribe of Oklahoma went to Washington, D.C., last week to discuss the tribe's loss of federal recognition.

The tribe met with most of the Oklahoma congressional delegation, the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, acting assistant secretary of Interior Jim Cason and other Bureau of Indian Affairs officials, The Bartlesville Examiner Enterprise. Tribal officials said they were encouraged by the meetings.

The tribe was removed from the list of federally recognized entities last year after the BIA lost a a court case. The Cherokee Nation successfully challenged the BIA's decision to recognize the Delawares as a distinct tribe. The Cherokees say the Delawares can't exercise sovereignty without Cherokee consent.

The decision led to the ouster of Delaware chief Joe Brooks. Jerry Douglas, the assistant chief and a candidate for chief, said the loss of recognition has keep him busy in recent months.

Get the Story:
Delaware Tribe members promote recognition (The Bartlesville Examiner Enterprise 1/18)
Douglas speaks candidly about chief candidacy (The Bartlesville Examiner Enterprise 1/18)

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 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)