Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith is calling on the tribe to change its constitution to deny citizenship to the Cherokee Freedmen.

The Judicial Appeals Tribunal, the tribe's highest court, ruled that the Freedmen are entitled to citizenship because the constitution doesn't include an Indian blood-quantum requirement. The court said only the Cherokee people themselves could change the requirement.

Smith is calling on the tribe to do just that. He said the tribe could hold a constitutional convention or referendum.

Since the ruling last week, 10 Freedmen have applied for citizenship.

Get the Story:
Tribal members' fate discussed (The Oklahoman 3/15)
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Cherokee leader wants to overturn freedmen decision (AP 3/15)

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

Related Story:
Freedmen to become Cherokee citizens (The Oklahoman 3/9)
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Relevant Links:
Freedmen Of The Five Civilized Tribes - http://www.freedmen5tribes.com
Freedmen Conference - http://www.freedmenconference.com
Cherokee Nation - http://www.cherokee.org

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