Two changes in the Federal regulations governing the preparation of an up-to-date membership roll for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina were announced today by the Department of the Interior.
Both modifications were recommended by the tribal council of the Eastern Cherokee Band to clarify the intent of the regulations which have been in effect since January 1959.
One of the changes relates to the residence requirements for enrollment. The former language of the regulations stated merely that an applicant, to be eligible, must "have actually lived at some time during the period from June 4, 1924, to August 21, 1957, on the lands of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in the counties of Swain, Jackson, Graham, Cherokee, and Haywood in North Carolina ... " Under the amendment this has been interpreted to mean that either the applicants themselves or their parents must "have maintained and dwelt in a home" on the reservation at some time during the specified period.
The other amendment deals with the deadline date for filing applications for enrollment. Under the tribal program that has been worked out, the general deadline for such applications was established as November 12, 1959. An exception was made in the regulations, however, for persons in the armed forces of the United States, under the rules they are permitted to file their applications within 120 days of the date of discharge. The amendment which has now been adopted makes it clear that not only the persons in military service but the members of their immediate families living with them away from the reservation are to come within the scope of this exception.
Both changes will affect a number of people of Eastern Cherokee blood living in various parts of the country.
