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113 signatures 137 to reach 250
R
Ron C. signed
K
Kandy A. signed
J
jessie s. signed
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VISCIOUS V. signed
R
Robert K. signed
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Joanne B. signed
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Elisha H. signed
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sarapouly signed
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J.R. signed
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Wanda Q. signed
Started by Anonymous 20 years ago
We, the undersigned, demand that the United States Congress immediately commence an investigation into the acts and actions of the leaders of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, including the leaders and Council of the Delaware Indians in the Cherokee Nation, who are acting against the will of their constituents illegally we believe. We also demand, without equivocation, that the United States government, on behalf of the Cherokee people, Including the Delaware Cherokee Citizens, protects the rights of all Citizens of the Cherokee Nation as mandated by treaty and the 1867 Agreement of the Delaware and Cherokee. Many Cherokee support the efforts for independence Of the Delaware Indians from the Cherokee Nation. Many of us have long supported the efforts of tribal government to forge an agreement between The Delaware and the government of the whole Cherokee people. However, in this instance, many of us find the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the proposed recognition legislation to be so objectionable that we intend to fight against it. We truly believe the MOU and proposed legislation to be nothing more than an enslavement of the Delaware government to the Cherokee Nation. The legislation further provides for Congressional recognition of the 1999 Constitution of the Cherokee, which to date, has not been approved by the federal authorities. We are further alarmed by wording in the proposed bill which would give all jurisdictional authority to the Cherokee Nation, completely nullifying the federal charter and rights of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma (UKB). There are also issues related to the Shawnee and Freedmen which require closer inspection. There are four reasons Chad Smith is rushing this piece of legislation to Congress. First, he wants to obtain federal recognition of the 1999 Constitution of the Cherokee. Second, he wants to crush the life out of the UKB. Third, he wants to keep absolute control of the Delaware tribe, giving them a veneer of independence, while retaining control of funds and lands earmarked for the Delaware people. And fourth, he wants to get the Delaware people out of the Cherokee Nation voting pool before the June 07 elections. Smith has people trying to bring forth a special election to vote out the Freedmen before the 07 elections. With the Freedmen gone, the UKB members (1/4+ blood quantum Cherokees) unable to vote and the Delaware

Updates

September 1, 2006

The momentum behind this fight proves that people are finally waking up to the illegal power grab happening within the Cherokee Nation. The leadership in power thinks they can ignore our treaties and silence us but this surge of support shows they are dead wrong. We are forcing them into the light and they will be held accountable.

Reached 100 supporters

September 1, 2006

6 Comments

D
David Bryant
19 years ago Featured

THESE LEADERS CANT JUST DO WHATEVER THEY WANT. TREATIES ARE SUPPOSED TO MEAN SOMETHING!

R
Robert Johnston
19 years ago Featured

Total overreach by the council. They are ignoring their own people and trying to strip rights away. Glad to see some pushback on this.

K
Karen Fox
19 years ago Featured

Very concerned about how this affects everyone involved. We need transparency and justice for the Delaware citizens.

S
Sarah Carter
19 years ago Featured

This whole thing is a mess. The tribal members deserve way better than backroom deals and shady legislation. Congress needs to step up and actually look at the facts.

L
Linda Jenkins
19 years ago Featured

Enough is enough. Stop ignoring the treaties and the rights of the people. This MOU is a joke.

M
Mike Preston
20 years ago Featured

Finally someone is speaking out about this. Keep fighting for the Delaware people. The way this is being pushed through is so wrong.

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