Editorial: Rep. Watson roars through Oklahoma

Thursday, August 23, 2007  

"Days after a tropical storm blew through Oklahoma, some parts of the state were hit by Hurricane Diane. We give that nickname to U.S. Rep. Diane Watson, a California Democrat who felt it necessary to spend part of her August recess in Tulsa, Muskogee and Oklahoma City in order to voice her displeasure about goings-on within the Cherokee Nation.

Watson, who like the freedmen is black, introduced a bill that would cut off the tribe's federal funding, which totals about $300 million, unless citizenship is restored. She told a gathering in Tulsa on Monday that while she supports the tribe's right to set its criteria for citizenship, "you cannot use U.S. monies to violate the law.” With its vote, she said, the tribe broke an 1866 treaty with the federal government and now the only remedy would be to "return to full status” the freedmen.

No doubt the Cherokees appreciate the congresswoman's concern about how the tribe conducts its affairs. We would remind Watson, however, that legal challenges to the election are pending — three in federal court, another in tribal court — and those should be allowed to play out. While that process continues, the freedmen retain the tribal benefits they enjoyed prior to the vote."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Watson's view: Congresswoman states her case (The Oklahoman 8/23)
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Cherokee-Related Legislation:
H.R.2895 | H.R.2824 | H.R.3002

BIA Letters:
August 9, 2007 | July 11, 2007 | June 22, 2007 | May 21, 2007 | March 28, 2007 | August 30, 2006

Sovereign Immunity Court Decision:
Vann v. Kempthorne (December 19, 2006)

Cherokee Nation Judicial Appeals Tribunal Decision in Freedmen Case:
Allen v. Cherokee Nation (March 7, 2006)

Relevant Links:
Cherokee Nation - http://www.cherokee.org
Freedmen Of The Five Civilized Tribes - http://www.freedmen5tribes.com
Freedmen Conference - http://www.freedmenconference.com

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