Delaware Tribe members promote recognition

Members of the Delaware Tribe of Indians visited Washington, D.C. on last week regarding the tirbes recent loss of federal recognition.

The tribe was represented by Assistant Chief Jerry Douglas, Tribal Council Secretary Jenifer Pechonick (Pate), and Delaware Trust Board Member Wayne Stull.

They were accompanied in their visit by a rribal attorney from New Mexico and a Washington, D.C. lobbyist.

During the trip the group met with most of the Oklahoma congressional delegation, Senate Select Indian Affairs Committee, acting assistant secretary of Interior and other Bureau of Indian Affairs officials. Meeting topics covered what the tribe must to do to recover the federal recognition it lost following a November, 2004 court ruling.

The Delaware delegation returned to Bartlesville late Thursday evening saying they were very encouraged with the information gained at the meetings.

Chief candidate Jenifer Pechonick (Pate) has called a community meeting from 2 to 4 p.m. today to discuss the results of the trip. The meeting will be held at the Delaware Community Center, 5100 E. Tuxedo Blvd.

All Delaware tribal members are asked to attend and have their questions about the results of the trip answered.

According to the press release, Assistant Chief Jerry Douglas and Secretary Jenifer Pechonick (Pate) and Trust board Member Wayne Stull also encourage all Delaware Tribal Members to remember to vote for the candidate of their personal choice in the Jan. 21 Tribal Election.