Tulsa World: Delaware Tribe on the brink of federal recognition

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Delaware Tribe on the brink of federal recognition
Tribal voters have approved a proposed constitution and bylaws.

By CLIFTON ADCOCK World Staff Writer
Published: 6/9/2009 2:31 AM
Last Modified: 6/9/2009 3:56 AM

After years of struggling, the Delaware Tribe of Indians is on the cusp of regaining federal recognition.

Tribal voters on May 26 overwhelmingly approved the tribe's proposed constitution and bylaws, with 1,136 voting to approve the constitution and 19 opposing it. The election was administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The Bartlesville-based tribe, which has about 10,800 members, is separate from the federally recognized Delaware Nation, which has its headquarters in Anadarko.

The election came after a memorandum of understanding was drawn up between the Delaware Tribe and the Cherokee Nation in October.

The Delawares have been associated with the Cherokee Nation for years, and the two tribes have had numerous disputes over the Delawares' attempts to break away.

The Delaware Tribe was able to get federal recognition in the '90s, only to lose it again in 2004 in a federal court decision.

With the loss of its federal recognition, the tribe went from about 100 employees to five and had to sell its former headquarters, officials said.

Regaining federal recognition will help the tribe obtain federal funds and jump-start halted economic development projects.

The approval of the constitution leaves only the election's approval by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar for the tribe to receive federal recognition.

Delaware Chief Jerry Douglas and other tribal officials were flying to Washington on Monday to meet with Salazar, said Marilyn Cole, office manager and tribal enrollment director.

"It's great news," she said. "We're all real excited."

If the Delaware Tribe gets federal recognition, Oklahoman will have 38 tribes with that status.

Clifton Adcock 581-8462
clifton.adcock@tulsaworld.com By CLIFTON ADCOCK World Staff Writer

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Dalequah , Miami (6/9/2009 3:23:08 PM)

The Delaware tribe left a lot of us members off the list forwarded to the BIA so they could pass this vote without our input! They are greedy and crooked!

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