UKB Easily Disproves Claims in Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) Statement on Senator Mullin’s Draft Legislative Language
- Lani Hansen
- 2 minutes ago
- 2 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contrary to the CNO’s assertion that Senator Mullin’s language is consistent with opinions of the federal courts and the federal government, every time UKB rights are put against a legal test, UKB’s history and rights are affirmed.
The CNO claim specifically that “neither the Congress, the courts, nor the federal executive branch have agreed with the UKB.” Each of those three claims is easily disproved:
· Congress’ Confirmation of Rights: Federal recognition in 1950. CNO CLAIM BUSTED
· Court Confirmation of Rights: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit determined that the UKB is entitled to lands held in trust for our benefit.[1] The United States Supreme Court left the decision intact. The Supreme Court of the United States and the Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit are federal courts. CNO CLAIM BUSTED
· Executive Branch Confirmation of Rights: In earlier 2025, the Dept. of Interior reaffirmed through M-Opinion M-37084[2] the rights over the Oklahoma Cherokee Reservation once exercised by the extinct historical Cherokee Nation continue today through both the UKB and the CNO, equally. CNO CLAIM BUSTED
The CNO statement begs the question: Why does CNO need CNO Senator Mullin to erase the UKB through legislation if neither Congress, the courts, nor the executive branch have ever agreed with UKB?
CNO’s scramble to find someone who would carry their water in a last-ditch effort to get their way unsurprisingly led to CNO Senator Mullin. It’s equally unsurprising that he’s the only member of the 535 members of the congress who would even entertain them.
It’s about time Congress, Indian Country, and the Media call it what it is: A shameful, secret attempt to terminate the UKB that must be withdrawn for the sake of Tribal sovereignty across the United States.
Don’t believe the lies from the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma
[1] Cherokee Nation v. Bernhardt, No. 12-cv-493-GKF-JFJ, 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 50749
