Delaware Tribe removed from state Indian list

Published Jan 21, 2008

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.

Raises a very good point...when does a person stop or start "being" Indian? And does one become or exist as an Indian solely from the recognition from an outside source or is it something much more than that?...like one's own heritage and culture. This article speaks of this...has being Indian become nothing more than a protected title, granted or sanctioned away, via legalities? And what impact or message does this send out to those of Indian descent? As a people, what does this do to the Indian state of consciousness?

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BARTLESVILLE -- They are the descendants of the same tribe that sold Manhattan Island centuries ago. The Delaware Tribe of Indians has its own tribal language, customs, offices and council meetings.

But it hasn't had federal recognition since the Bureau of Indian Affairs removed its official tribal status after the group lost a 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision to the Cherokee Nation over treaty stipulations in 2004.

"No matter what the government says, I'll always be Delaware," said tribal elder Evelyn Kay Anderson of Bartlesville.

The Delaware, who number around 10,000, are on a short list of Oklahoma's nonfederally recognized tribes. There are 37 federally recognized tribes in the state, many which relocated to Oklahoma during the 1800s.

Recognition is the gold standard for Indian groups, bringing with it federal subsidies, grant monies, health care, housing and tribal citizenship. Oklahoma does not grant state recognition, although some states, like California, do.

Without recognition, Indian groups have no claim to trust property or to Indian gaming.

Full article here: http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080113_1_A19_spanc03120