Cherokee (Down a Different Path)

Cherokee (CH) is an autonomous state located in the Midwest region of the United States, admitted to the Union on December 28, 1936. It shares land borders with Arkansas to the east, Kansas to the north, Louisiana to the northeast, Oklahoma to the west, and Texas to the south. It is one of only two states to legalize gambling, the other being Nevada. It is also the only state to achieve self-governance.

Government
Cherokee is an autonomous commonwealth, recognized as a "domestic dependent nation," similar to Indian reservations. However, it also has a US governor and Congressmen, allowing it to also function as a state.

Debated issues
This commonwealth/state balance has led to numerous debates, such as if federal law should be enforced, or if Cherokee is even a state at all. Oklahoma and Arkansas have shown great interest in annexing the state, splitting it up into reservations.