Two former leaders of the Delaware Tribe of Oklahoma say they are worried about a deal with the much larger Cherokee Nation.

Former chief Curtis Zunigha and former Dee Ketchum say the deal won't restore the tribe's sovereignty. They object to a proposed bill that would bar the Delawares from exercising authority within the Cherokee Nation's 14-county jurisdictional area.

�Right now this bill, as it stands, verifies the Cherokees dominance over the Delaware,� Ketchum told The Bartlesville Examiner Enterprise.

The Cherokee Nation sued the Bureau of Indian Affairs after the Delaware Tribe was recognized as a separate entity. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed that the BIA acted in contravention to treaty and federal law.

Get the Story:
Some Delaware members concerned over proposed agreement with Cherokee (The Bartlesville Examiner Enterprise 8/29)

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 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)
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)