UKB launches campaign against Cherokee Nation, Sen. Mullin over land rights

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (Aug. 30, 2025) — The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (UKB) has launched a public campaign accusing the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) and U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin of advancing secret legislation that threatens UKB sovereignty and trust land rights.

According to the UKB, a provision drafted by Mullin and coordinated with the Cherokee Nation would strip the federally recognized tribe of key rights tied to trust lands, jeopardizing future housing and economic development projects.

“This is a direct attack on tribal sovereignty and treaty-protected rights,” the UKB said in a statement. The tribe has created a website, www.ukb-nsn.gov/defendukbrights, urging citizens and supporters to send letters to their congressional representatives.

The UKB argues its rights have already been “recognized by Congress, affirmed by federal courts, and confirmed by the Department of the Interior.” The statement accuses CNO of repeatedly challenging UKB land efforts in court, and now pursuing a backchannel legislative fix.

“We only found out about the legislative language and made it public because of a FOIA request,” the tribe said. “Sen. Mullin has yet to comment on this and is letting the CNO speak for him. He needs to be held accountable.”

The UKB says it is fighting for the ability to place land into trust — a process that allows tribes to expand housing, cultural preservation, and economic development opportunities. The tribe called on citizens to “speak out and don’t let Senator Mullin, the CNO and Congress terminate UKB treaty rights.”

Neither Mullin’s office nor the Cherokee Nation has publicly responded to the UKB’s accusations.

In This Story: Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, Markwayne Mullin, sovereignty, trust land, treaty rights, United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians