Congressional Black Caucus backs Freedmen

The Congressional Black Caucus is urging the Interior Department to take action over the Cherokee Nation's denial of citizenship to the descendants of former slaves.

A letter signed by 26 African-American lawmakers questioned the validity of the tribe's March 3 referendum in which 77 percent voted against the Freedmen. The lawmakers said they were "shocked and outraged" by the vote, the Associated Press reported.

"The black descendant Cherokees can trace their Native American heritage back in many cases for more than a century," said Rep. Diane Watson (D-California). "They are legally a part of the Cherokee Nation through history, precedent, blood and treaty obligations."

After the Civil War, the Freedmen were listed on the Dawes Roll, the roll used by the Cherokee Nation to determine citizenship.

Get the Story:
Black Caucus Questions Cherokee Vote (AP 3/13)
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Sovereign Immunity Court Decision:
Vann v. Kempthorne (December 19, 2006)

Jim Cason Letter:
Cherokee Nation Constitution (August 30, 2006)

Cherokee Nation Judicial Appeals Tribunal Decision in Freedmen Case:
Allen v. Cherokee Nation (March 7, 2006)

Relevant Links:
Cherokee Nation - http://www.cherokee.org
Freedmen Of The Five Civilized Tribes - http://www.freedmen5tribes.com
Freedmen Conference - http://www.freedmenconference.com

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