The House Rules Committee will hold a hearing later in November to discuss whether to seat a delegate from the Cherokee Nation.
The Cherokee Nation has asked lawmakers to honor the Treaty of New Echota, which the United States made with the nation in 1835.
The treaty stipulated that the Cherokee people would give up their lands to the west of the Mississippi River. This led to their forced removal from their ancestral lands to their current home in Oklahoma. The journey was made on foot and it is estimated that up to 25% of the tribe members died while making the journey.
The treaty also stated that a member of the Cherokee Nation would sit in the House of Representatives. However, so far this has not been adhered to.
Kimberly Teehee was nominated as their delegate in 2019 by Cherokee National Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. If she were to gain a seat, she would be a non-voting member of the house. She would be able to sit on committees and offer amendments, alongside introducing bills.
