About 800 Freedmen have enrolled in the Cherokee Nation since the tribe's highest court ruled they were entitled to citizenship.

But the Freedmen face removal from the tribe under a proposed amendment to the constitution. A tribal council member is proposing to add, for the first time, a Cherokee blood quantum requirement for citizenship.

The tribe allows citizenship to anyone whose ancestor appeared on the Dawes roll. For the last 20 years or so, however, Freedmen were denied entry if they could not demonstrate any Cherokee blood.

The tribe's highest court ruled that was contrary to the constitution because the words "by blood" didn't appear. Some tribal leaders now say only Cherokees, Shawnees and Delawares should be entitled to citizenship.

Get the Story:
Freedmen's status remains in limbo (The Tulsa World 5/1)

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

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

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