Ada E. Deer, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, announced to day that the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma will resume their Law Enforcement activities.
On April 22, 1997, the Bureau of Indian Affairs announced that at the request of the Cherokee Nation it was assuming the Law Enforcement function "until a determination was made that the imminent threat to the public safety no longer existed and that the nation was ready and able to assume control of the program once again." Since that date the Cherokee Nation has been working to resolve internal disputes and to ensure that its governmental functions could be properly administered. After reviewing the progress the Nation has made, the BIA determines that no imminent danger currently exists that would warrant the continued BIA Law Enforcement presence. Accordingly, at the request of Principal Chief Byrd the BIA will begin an orderly transfer of the Law Enforcement function to the Nation. This transfer will begin immediately.
"I commend the Cherokee Nation and the work everyone has done to being internal disputes to resolution." Ms. Deer said. "This demonstrates how Indian Self-Determination can work at the tribal government level. I wish the Nation much success in the future and commit to assist them in the future as required."
