Federal judge reschedules hearing for Cherokee Freedmen case

Monday, April 7, 2014  

A highly anticipated hearing in the Cherokee Freedmen case has been rescheduled.

The hearing will now take place on Monday, May 5, at 9:30am in Courtroom 25A of the federal court in Washington, D.C. Judge Thomas F. Hogan, who handled the resolution of the Cobell trust fund case, is presiding.

The case will determine whether the Freedmen are entitled to citizenship in the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. The Freedmen, who are the descendants of former slaves held within Cherokee territory, say their rights are protected by an 1866 treaty.

The Obama administration supports the Freedmen. The tribe, however, contends it has a sovereign right to determine its membership policies.

Turtle Talk posted the text of the scheduling order in the case, Cherokee Nation v. Nash.

Cherokee Freedmen eager for court hearing in citizenship case (03/10)
Obama supports Freedmen in dispute with Cherokee Nation (02/03)
Judge sets oral arguments in Cherokee Nation Freedmen suit (9/18)