Cherokee Nation disagrees with decision on Freedmen citizenship

Monday, January 17, 2011  

The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma might appeal a tribal court decision that requires the tribe to enroll the Freedmen, who are the descendants of former slaves.

Diane Hammons, the tribe's attorney general, said all options are being considered. “We have received the district court decision with which we respectfully disagree," she said in a press release.

Tribal members voted to change the constitution to deny citizenship to the Freedmen. Judge John Cripps said the amendment violates an 1866 treaty.

“They should have honored that treaty a long time ago,” Raymond Nash, a Freedman descendant, told The Oklahoman. “There should have been no ifs, ands or buts about it.”

Get the Story:
Cherokee Nation court rules in favor of freedmen (The Oklahoman 1/15)
Freedmen granted tribal citizenship (The Tulsa World 1/15)

Court Decision:
Nash v. Cherokee Nation (January 14, 2011)

Cherokee Nation judge rules Freedmen are entitled to citizenship (1/14)