Cherokee Nation candidate loses bid to halt vote for Freedmen

Wednesday, June 19, 2013  

A candidate for the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council lost his attempt to delay an upcoming election in order to resolve Freedmen citizenship issues.

Robin Mayes claims the Cherokee Nation is preventing Freedmen descendants from enrolling in the tribe. As a result, he says his candidacy for a seat on the council will be harmed.

Judge Terence Kern, however, said an existing federal court order does not dictate how the tribe will process Freedmen citizenship applications. He denied Mayes' motion for an injunction to delay Saturday's vote.

About 2,800 Freedmen, who are the descendants of former slaves, retain citizenship in the tribe pending the resolution of litigation in federal court. They contend their rights are protected by a post-Civil War treaty.

Turtle Talk has posted documents from the case, Cherokee Nation v. Nash.

Get the Story:
Judge denies request by Cherokee candidate (AP 6/19)
Judge denies motion on Cherokee election (The Muskogee Phoenix 6/19)
Judge denies Cherokee freedmen injunction request (The Tulsa World 6/19)

Cherokee Nation candidate seeking to join Freedmen dispute (06/04)
This Land: One man's fight for Cherokee Freedmen justice (05/22)
Freedmen anticipate Cherokee Nation appeal to Supreme Court (03/14)
DC Circuit won't reconsider decision in Cherokee Freedmen suit (03/13)