WASHINGTON�Members of an Oklahoma Native American tribe recently spent a day here lobbying Congress and accused an Oklahoma senator of trying to keep the federal government from returning land that is rightfully theirs.

One hundred thirty men, women and children, members of the Cheyenne-Arapaho tribe, traveled to D.C. by bus, in late September. The Native Americans say Republican Don Nickles is trying to make sure land stolen from their tribe in the 1800s stays in government hands.

In meetings with members of Congress and their staffs, the Native Americans discussed the Fort Reno Agricultural Grazing Lands Research Laboratory in northwest Oklahoma, which is administered by the Department of Agriculture. The land was once owned by the Cheyenne-Arapaho, as was nearly all of Oklahoma, and was supposed to be returned under a treaty signed in the 1800s. But every time the treaty is supposed to be enforced, the agreement has been violated, tribal leaders charge.

The latest obstacle is language Sen. Nickles inserted into the Senate Agriculture Appropriations bill for the year 2000. The language prohibits use of any funds to "declare excess or surplus all or part of the lands and facilities ... at Fort Reno, Oklahoma, or to transfer or convey such lands or facilities, without the specific authorization of Congress."

In order for the land to be returned, it must be declared surplus and the Agriculture Department must approve any land transfer, Cheyenne-Arapaho leaders explained. And after nearly 200 years, the tribe says it�s time the land was given back.

Tribal leaders say Sen. Nickles included the language to avoid having to give up the land, which is minerally rich and which the Indians say could have oil deposits.

Sen. Nickles argues that the issue isn�t so cut and dry. "The land claim issue is a very complex one. My office has sought a definitive legal answer on the issue from the Department of Justice, the Congressional Research Service and Indian legal scholars and there is much disagreement and ambiguity," he said. "Ultimately, the tribe�s claims will likely have to be settled by the courts once the federal government deems the land to be surplus property."

Cheyenne-Arapaho leaders, who say other Oklahoma senators used similar tactics in 1949 and 1951 legislation, say these actions are wrong. And, they add, Native American tribes as far away as Canada are closely watching the Fort Reno case, wondering if justice will be done or whether a long string of broken treaties will continue.

"If we go back in history since this country was settled by Europeans, almost all tribal leaders throughout the years expressed similar concerns regarding land that was either taken, or was in the process of being taken," tribal chairman James Pedro said.