Cherokee chief: Progress for one tribe is progress for all


Chuck Hoskin Jr.
Fri, December 16, 2022 a

Let us fight together. United we are stronger. We have a shared history of facing long-standing injustice at the hands of the United States government and are now at a time when we can make real progress. Intertribal conflict will only hold us back.

The last several years have marked historic progress for our communities. The Biden administration has pledged to usher in a new era of nation-to-nation engagement with tribes. Congress has more diverse voices than at any other time ― including five Native Americans from various tribes. It recently held the first hearing on seating the Cherokee Nation’s delegate that was promised in the 1835 Treaty of New Echota ― which led to the Trail of Tears ― in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The hearing addressed questions related to seating the Cherokee Nation’s congressional delegate, as well as issues raised by other tribes, such as the Delaware, including:

● The requests of individual tribes and their treaties should be dealt with separately. Members of Congress agreed that while they consider other tribes and their treaties with the U.S. government, that shouldn’t prevent them from taking action on the Cherokee Nation’s delegate. As Chairman McGovern (D-MA) said, “We need to look into everything … but … looking into everything doesn't mean that we have to wait …”

● While there may be unresolved questions stemming from other tribe’s claims, the Treaty of New Echota between the U.S. and Cherokee Nation is clear. Congress is duty bound to seat the delegate. As the Congressional Research Service’s legal expert testified, “The language of the Treaty of New Echota is the clearest of the treaties between the United States and various tribes.”

● The Delawares' claims require further consideration. My view is that tribes should support one another in this regard, and I fully support examination of the Delaware treaty reference to “representation.” Congress will need to carefully consider the implications of a treaty that was signed before the U.S. Constitution was signed. Congress will need to consider that the Delaware treaty contemplated the creation of a state that was never created. After three years of work to assert our explicitly treaty-based right to a “delegate in the House of Representatives,” I welcome the Delawares' new interest in their treaty and stand ready to assist them. But, halting our work makes no sense.

At its core, this issue is about getting a seat at the table and lifting up the voices of all Native Americans at the highest levels of the U.S. government where we can shine a light on issues that are important to Indian Country. This country is stronger when more communities have a seat at the table and an opportunity to shape the direction we’re headed. That is why I will continue to push for increased representation at all levels of government. There is widespread support for this effort from tribal voices across the country like the National Congress of American Indians ― the largest intertribal organization in the country.

As Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) said, “I think it’s never too late to do the right thing.” I couldn’t agree more. Join us in asking the House to finally start doing the right thing for all of Indian Country. Progress for one tribe, is progress for all.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.

Chuck Hoskin Jr. is principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, the largest tribe in the United States.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Cherokee chief: Let us fight together