TULSA, Okla. — Congress held a hearing Wednesday to discuss adding a seat for a Cherokee Nation delegate in the House of Representatives.
In 1835, the U.S. government and the Cherokee Nation signed the Treaty of New Echota, which began the historic travel known as the Trail of Tears out west.
According to the Cherokee Nation, Article 7 of the Treaty of New Echota states the tribe "shall be entitled to a delegate in the House of Representatives of the United States whenever Congress shall make provision for the same." Despite what is written, the Cherokee Nation says a delegate has not been named since the treaty's signing 187 years ago.
In 2019, newly-elected Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. nominated Kimberly Teehee to serve as Cherokee Nation's first delegate to Congress. Teehee currently serves as the Director of Government Relations for the Cherokee Nation.
Chief Hoskin testified in the hearing about adding a delegate seat for the tribe.
“The Cherokee Nation has in fact adhered to our obligations under these treaties. I’m here to ask the United States to do the same,” Hoskin told the panel.
Only a few Native Americans serve in Congress, including U.S. Rep. and Chickasaw Nation member Tom Cole and U.S. Rep. and Cherokee Nation member Markwayne Mullin.
“As a member of the Cherokee Nation, I firmly believe the federal government must honor its trust and treaty responsibilities to Indian Nations,” Mullin said in a statement. “We are only as good as our word.”
Trending Stories:
- Tulsa couple creates reality love show
- DOWNLOAD the 2 News Oklahoma app for alerts
- Mayor Bynum lays out Tulsa's plans for homelessness, mental health
- FOLLOW 2 News Oklahoma on Facebook
- Tulsa to get tiny home community for former homeless population
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere --
- Download our free app for Apple, Android and Kindle devices.
- Sign up for daily newsletters emailed to you
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Twitter
