Jerry Douglas, the incumbent chief of the Delaware Tribe of Oklahoma, supports a deal with the Cherokee Nation to restore his tribe's recognition.

The tribe lost its status after a court challenge from the Cherokee Nation. The two sides are now discussing a bill that would put the Delawares back on the list of federally recognized entities.

The effort is controversial because it would subject the Delawares to Cherokee authority on land and federal funding issues. But Chief Douglas told The Native American Times that legislation is "the only way to go towards recognition."

Douglas is running for re-election. The recognition bill has emerged as one of the biggest issues of the campaign, with some candidates opposing it.

Get the Story:
Incumbent chief refuses to go negative (The Native American Times 10/11)

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:
Opinion: Oppose Delaware-Cherokee 'recognition' (10/11)
Delaware candidates debate recognition legislation (10/5)
Delaware members oppose deal with Cherokee Nation (09/14)
Delaware elders to discuss federal recognition bill (9/12)
Former Delaware leaders question Cherokee deal (08/29)
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)