"Researchers such as the late Frank Speck spoke to the authenticity of state tribes after the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. Many of these tribes maintain their culture and languages due to geographical and racial isolation, unlike some of the larger tribes in eastern Oklahoma. To hear Kerry Holton of the Absentee Delaware speak to being overwhelmed by fake tribes makes me laugh. The problem here is these larger Oklahoma tribes don't differentiate between numerous fake Cherokee tribes in Missouri and Arkansas and these legitimate state tribes. The overall budget for these state tribes doesn't probably even add up to a tribe's yearly earnings at some of the larger tribal casinos in eastern Oklahoma."

Get the Story:
Mike Ford: Recognizing more tribes means fewer funds for existing (The Oklahoman 5/16)

Government Accountability Office Report:
Federal Funding for Non-Federally Recognized Tribes GAO-12-348 (April 12, 2012)

Related Stories:
GAO reportedly looks at funding for state recognized tribes (5/8)