A petition aimed at ousting the Freedmen from the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma was submitted on Friday.

Organizers said they obtained more than 3,000 signatures on the petition. It calls for a special election to amend the tribe's constitution to limit citizenship to those with documented Cherokee, Shawnee or Delaware blood.

The Cherokee Nation currently ties citizenship to the Dawes Roll. The tribe does not have a blood quantum requirement.

The Freedmen also appear on the Dawes Roll but some may not be able to show they have Indian blood.

More than 1,000 Freedmen have sought citizenship since the tribe's highest court clarified that they are entitled to be part of the tribe.

Get the Story:
Election sought to decide status of black freedmen (The Oklahoman 8/12)
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Cherokee Nation Judicial Appeals Tribunal Decision in Freedmen Case:
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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