Facebook Twitter Email
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2002

Cherokee Nation Chief Chad Smith has asked the Oklahoma Ethics Commission to investigate efforts to derail a land bill supported by five Oklahoma tribes, The Tulsa World reports.

The paper obtained a copy of the letter Smith sent to the commission. In it, Smith cites potential wrongdoing by two members of the Corporation Commission, a state regulatory agency.

The commission voted 2-1 to oppose a bill in Congress to reform land policies affecting the Five Civilized Nations, including the Cherokee Nation. Objections from the commission, and the oil and gas industry, derailed the bill just as it was about to pass the Senate.

Relevant Links:
Oklahoma Ethics Commission - http://www.state.ok.us/~ethics
Oklahoma Corporation Commission - http://www.occ.state.ok.us
The Tulsa World - http://www.tulsworld.com

Get the Bill:
Five Nations Citizens Land Reform Act (H.R.2880)

Relevant Documents:
Witness List (9/20) | Video: Senate hearing (9/20)

Relevant Links:
Oklahoma Corporation Commission - http://www.occ.state.ok.us

Related Stories:
Five Nations land bill derailed (10/18)
Okla. regulators delay Five Nations bill (10/03)
Five Nations land reform act in limbo (10/2)
Five Nations land bill held up (9/27)
Five Nations land reform bill advances (9/26)
BIA lease auction draws high bids (9/16)
BIA taking bids for Indian land (9/12)
BIA and Okla. tribe accused of interference (8/29)