UKB submits applications to place 112 acres into federal trust

(TAHLEQUAH) The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians recently submitted five applications to put an additional 112 acres of land into trust. 

The tribe plans to use the land to build upon services that are offered to its members and for economic purposes through recreational activities. None of the 112 acres will be used for gaming purposes. 

The largest section of land the UKB wants to place in trust is 63 acres and encompasses that Diamondhead Resort. 

Tori Holland, the Congressional Delegate and Tribal Council Attorney for the UKB, told Crosswinds News the land is the tribe’s exclusive jurisdiction, for the benefit and use of the tribe, and it's a very important aspect to have under their sovereignty.

“That is one of our economic developments, which is a float place on the Illinois River,” said Holland. “It’s vitally important that this be in trust. We do have all kinds of people that come, float the river, Indians, and non-Indians alike. Having it in trust would very clearly put that in the UKB jurisdiction, which is important for us in exercising our sovereignty.”

The application for another parcel of land is 40 acres that is located south of the current tribal complex. No plans for that 40 acres have been announced yet. 

There is also an application to put the 4.62 acres between the Elder Nutrition Building and Wellness Center. 

Additionally, the tribe wants to place the .99 acres that the Echota Behavioral Health Administrative Building sits on into trust, as well as the four acres that house the Goingsnake Community Building and Behavioral Health Clinic. 

“The hope is to add stuff that's not already in existence,” said Holland. “We're running out of room. We need some more areas to expand services for our members.”

Holland says it could be a while before the UKB knows if the applications have been approved depending on how long it takes the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to process everything. 

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians Chief Jeff Wacoche said he hopes approvals happen quickly. 

"The Keetoowah people have fought for every acre of this land, in courtrooms, in Congress, and across generations,” said Chief Wacoche. “The law is on our side. The courts have spoken. We anticipate an expeditious process to accept these lands into trust, as is our treaty-based right, affirmed by the Tenth Circuit and left intact by the Supreme Court." 

Last year, before the Biden Administration left office, the Department of the Interior Office of the Solicitor released an M-Opinion stating the UKB and the Cherokee Nation shared jurisdiction on the Cherokee Reservation. 

The UKB had expressed hope for building a casino after that decision was released. However, the Trump administration suspended M-Opinions that were released during the Biden Administration. 

The Cherokee Nation has also disputed the idea that they share jurisdiction with the UKB. In August, the UKB alleged that the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma was working on legislation that would ban the UKB from placing land into trust for gaming purposes. 

Holland reiterated the sovereignty of the UKB, but said she would not be surprised if the CNO attempts to intervene with any of the land trust applications. 

“There is known animosity towards the United Keetoowah Band,” said Holland. “So, while I would hope they would not oppose this, I could not guarantee that they would not.”

Crosswinds will continue to follow this story and report on updates regarding the land trust applications.