The Bureau of Indian Affairs will be ruling on an appeal of the United Keetoowah Band's land-into-trust application.

The tribe asked for 76 acres in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, to be placed in trust more than two years ago. BIA regional director Jeanette Hanna rejected the application because she believed the Cherokee Nation needed to consent. Both tribes have headquarters in Tahlequah

But former assistant secretary Carl Artman, who resigned in May, ordered Hanna to reconsider. He said the Cherokees only need to be consulted.

The issue is now before George Skibine, who has been assigned the duties of the assistant secretary. The tribe doesn't know when he will make a decision.

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Interior department takes over UKB land trust appeal (The Muskogee Phoenix 9/15)