Thoughts from Polly's Granddaughter: UKB

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

United Keetoowah Band Gets Land in Trust

Congratulations to the Keetoowah! After a long battle, they finally have land in trust.

"The Keetoowah casino in Tahlequah will stay open after a last-minute decision from federal officials to put the property in trust.

The casino was facing a midnight deadline to close unless it could get federal approval for the land's trust status, something it had been trying to accomplish for more than 20 years.

The decision finally came at 4:20 p.m. yesterday, just as federal offices were closing in Washington, D.C."

As the granddaughter, great granddaughter, great great granddaughter and great great great granddaughter of the Keetoowah and/or original members of the Keetoowah church, I am extremely happy for them. I have friends and family in both the Cherokee Nation and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians and I think yesterday was a wonderful day.

Read here for the response of the Cherokee Nation.