The Delaware Tribe of Oklahoma is placing its historic headquarters up for auction in order to raise money for its federal recognition fight.

The tribe lost its recognition in a court battle with the Cherokee Nation. The much larger Cherokee tribe successfully argued that the Bureau of Indian Affairs wrongly placed the Delawares on the list of federally recognized entities.

The tribe lost all its federal funds and was forced to shut down tribal programs as a result. The tribe is hoping to make a deal with the Cherokees to restore recognition.

The Bureau of Mines building in Bartlesville dates to 1918. The tribe bought the building in 2001.

Get the Story:
Delawares to sell tribal headquarters (The Native American Times 6/27)

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:
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)