Group Of Indians In Arkansas Seek Federal Recognition

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A group of Arkansas-based American Indians are planning four meetings in Oklahoma as part of an effort to win federal recognition as a tribe.<br/><br/>The Lost Cherokee of Arkansas

Thursday, January 4th 2007, 9:51 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A group of Arkansas-based American Indians are planning four meetings in Oklahoma as part of an effort to win federal recognition as a tribe.

The Lost Cherokee of Arkansas and Missouri will meet in Shawnee, Poteau, Antlers and Sulphur where members will vote on a constitution.

The vote is required for recognition.

The group is made up of descendants of Cherokees who moved west decades before the Trail of Tears. An estimated 3,000 now live in Oklahoma.

The Lost Cherokees began identifying members and working to gain federal recognition in 1999.