Jim Inhofe: “today I introduce a bill by request of the members of the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole Nations…”

“today I introduce a bill by request of the members of the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole Nations, historically referred to as the ``Five Civilized Tribes,'' who still own individual Indian restricted land or ``restricted property.'' The proposed bill would repeal aspects of the Stigler Act of 1947-- the 1947 Act--and the Act of June 14, 1918--the 1918 Act--which subject the transactions of restricted property to the jurisdiction of Oklahoma's district courts and leave such lands open to adverse possession. By way of background, the issue of individual restricted Indian lands has had a long legislative history. Between 1906 and 1970, Congress enacted numerous laws dealing specifically with the individually allotted lands of the ``Five Civilized Tribes.'' Collectively, these laws have created a complex system of Indian land tenure in eastern Oklahoma. These laws are unique to eastern Oklahoma and are not applicable either in western Oklahoma or elsewhere in the United States. Due to these laws, thousands of acres of Indian lands in eastern Oklahoma have gone unprobated for years, causing ownership of these lands to be increasingly fractionated and more difficult to manage for the benefit of the devisees or undetermined heirs.”