Members of the Delaware Tribe of Oklahoma re-elected Jerry Douglas as chief, according to results posted by the second runner-up.

Douglas won 876 votes, followed by Curtis Zunigha with 511 votes. Zunigha posted the results on his website (http://www.curtis4chief.com).

Douglas has supported a proposed bill that would put the tribe on the list of federally recognized entities. The tribe was removed after a court challenge from the Cherokee Nation.

The Cherokees would have virtual authority over Delaware sovereignty under the proposed bill. It requires the Cherokees to approve any Delaware land-into-trust, federal funding and related decisions in a 14-county area in northeastern Oklahoma.

Some of the candidates opposed the proposal, saying it goes too far. No member of Congress has agreed to introduce it.

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

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