Cherokee Nation worried about Freedmen fallout

Friday, May 18, 2007  

The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma fears a federal judge might take action against the tribe for ousting the Freedmen.

Attorney General A. Diane Hammons said there was a "high possibility and probability" that Judge Henry H. Kennedy would halt an upcoming tribal election unless the Freedmen were restored to membership and allowed to vote. “The motivation for this order is trying to get the federal court on the Eastern Seaboard out of our affairs,” Hammons said, The Muskogee Phoenix reported.

Earlier this week, the tribe agreed to a temporary restoration of the Freedmen while they appeal a March 3 referendum that ousted them from citizenship. Another agreement to be entered today allows the Freedmen to register to vote in the June 23 election.

Principal Chief Chad Smith, who advocated for the citizenship referendum, is seeking re-election. One of his opponents is Stacy Leeds, the Cherokee judge who wrote the court decision that said the Freedmen were entitled to citizenship.

Get the Story:
Order to allow freedman to vote requested (The Muskogee Phoenix 5/18)

Cherokee Nation Documents:
Cherokee Nation's Attorney General Statement (May 14, 2007) | Temporary Court Order And Injuction (May 14, 2007)

Federal Court Briefs:
Motion for Preliminary Injunction (May 8, 2007) | Memorandum in Support (May 8, 2007)

BIA Letter:
Carl Artman to Cherokee Chief Chad Smith (March 28, 2007)

Sovereign Immunity Court Decision:
Vann v. Kempthorne (December 19, 2006)

Jim Cason Letter:
Cherokee Nation Constitution (August 30, 2006)

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

Relevant Links:
Cherokee Nation - http://www.cherokee.org
Freedmen Of The Five Civilized Tribes - http://www.freedmen5tribes.com
Freedmen Conference - http://www.freedmenconference.com

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