Cherokee Nation asks top court to hear Freedmen citizenship case

Wednesday, January 26, 2011  

The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma has asked its highest court to hear the Freedmen citizenship case.

The Freedmen are the descendants of former slaves who were granted citizenship in the tribe through an 1866 treaty. A tribal judge ruled that a recent amendment to the Cherokee constitution violated the treaty because it denied the Freedmen's rights.

"A constitutional case of this magnitude should be decided by the Cherokee Nation’s highest court," Diane Hammons, the tribe's attorney general, said in a press release.

About 2,800 Freedmen are citizens of the tribe.

Get the Story:
Cherokee Nation appeals freedmen decision to its tribal Supreme Court (The Oklahoman 1/26)
Cherokees appeal freedmen citizenship ruling (The Tulsa World 1/26)

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

Related Stories:
Cherokee Nation disagrees with decision on Freedmen citizenship (1/17)
Cherokee Nation judge rules Freedmen are entitled to citizenship (1/14)