Seat the Cherokee Nation’s Delegate in the U.S. House
"Cherokee Nation … shall be entitled to a delegate in the House of Representatives…" – The Treaty of New Echota, 1835 In 1835, the Cherokee Nation and United States signed the Treaty of New Echota. The treaty forcibly removed from the Cherokee their homelands, which led to over one-quarter of the Cherokee Nation perishing on the "Trail of Tears." That same document, however, also guaranteed the tribe a delegate to Congress. For almost 200 years, the U.S. House of Representatives has failed to act. In 2019 Chief Hoskin Jr. nominated Kim Teehee as the Cherokee Nation delegate and committed to the effort of finally demanding Congress live up to its agreement. Thousands have acted by calling on the House to vote to the seat the Cherokee Nation delegate. We have made historic progress, including in November 2022, when the U.S. House Rules committee held a congressional hearing to discuss the issue. There’s still more work to be done. We want Congress to seat the delegate without delay. Contact your Member of Congress and tell them to vote to seat Kim Teehee as the Cherokee Nation delegate in the U.S. House this year. Historical Background on the Cherokee Delegate The commitment made in the Treaty of New Echota remains as binding for the United States and Cherokee Nation today as it was in 1835. Article 7 states, “Cherokee Nation … shall be entitled to a delegate in the House of Representatives…” This treaty right is unique to the Cherokee Nation. Federal courts have held that the Cherokee Nation entered into and is bound today by treaties signed with the United States. Congress is clear on this, too. In 2002, through Public Law 107-331, Congress said that the Cherokee Nation "has maintained a continuous government-to-government relationship with the United States since the earliest years of the Union." The path forward is clear: Congress needs to vote to seat the delegate that’s been denied to Cherokee Nation for 187 years.
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