Dept. of Interior Reaffirms UKB Jurisdiction on the Oklahoma Cherokee Reservation
U.S. affirms the rights over the Oklahoma Cherokee Reservation once exercised by the historical Cherokee Nation continue today through both the UKB and the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (CNO), equally.
What is M-Opinion M-37084?
M-37084 was issued on January 17, 2025, by Solicitor Robert Anderson. M-37084 concludes that the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in
Oklahoma is a successor in interest to the historic Cherokee Nation. We
share this status with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the
Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, which has renamed itself the Cherokee
Nation (which is not to be confused with the historic Cherokee Nation from
which we all derive our status as successors in interest).
The UKB’s status as a successor in interest is vitally important as it clarifies
and confirms what we have been saying for decades: we enjoy all the legal
rights that the historic Cherokee Nation possessed on the Oklahoma
Cherokee reservation, and we do so equally with the Cherokee Nation of
Oklahoma. The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma has asserted, erroneously,
that they somewhere along the way resurrected, and now exclusively
constitute the historic Cherokee Nation. Such claims are degrading to our
ancestors who worked to preserve the historic Cherokee values, and
unfortunately, we bear the economic burden of correcting the false
narratives.
what our leaders are saying
"This is a victory for righteousness and justice. I thank the Department of Interior for this determination, placing our Tribe on a renewed path towards prosperity. I want to recognize and thank our Keetoowah brothers and sisters – and our array of supporters and advocates – for tireless work to make this new page of history possible."
Chief Jeff Wacoche
FAQ
May God continue to bless the whole of the Cherokee People.
