Members of the Cherokee Nation who live in California are concerned about an upcoming vote that would deny citizenship to African descendants. The potential ouster of the Freedmen was an issue as Cherokees met in Orange County, California, on Saturday. Chief Chad Smith, who called for the vote, spoke at the event. The tribe's top court ruled that the Freedmen couldn't be denied citizenship so long as their ancestors appeared on the Dawes Roll. Smith and others have contended that membership should be linked to documentable Indian blood. The election is scheduled to take place March. Get the Story:
Cherokee event creates unity, controversy (The Orange County Register 1/14)
Raising a new nation (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 1/15)
pwpwd Court Decision:
Vann v. Kempthorne (December 19, 2006) 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:
Freedmen Of The Five Civilized Tribes - http://www.freedmen5tribes.com
Freedmen Conference - http://www.freedmenconference.com Related Stories:
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Cherokee court hears dispute over Freedmen vote (11/27)
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Freedmen descendant sues over citizenship change (11/03)
Cherokee Freedmen to challenge removal (10/10)
Cherokee chief calls vote on removing Freedmen (10/9)
Cherokees defend right to kick Freedmen out of tribe (09/21)
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Cherokee Nation questioned on Freedmen vote (9/7)
Petition to oust Cherokee Freedmen submitted (08/15)
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Editorial: Victory long overdue for Cherokee Freedmen (3/10)
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Cherokee Freedmen win tribal citizenship lawsuit (3/8)
Cherokee chief wants to sue BIA over constitution (02/15)
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Trial concludes in Freedmen membership case (09/15)
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Ex-Cherokee councilors fined for Freedmen support (08/23)
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Cherokee Nation seeks role in Freedmen lawsuit (02/21)
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Cherokee Nation chief sworn in for another term (8/15)
Seminole Freedmen rebuffed by Supreme Court (06/29)
Cherokee Freedmen sue BIA for disenfranchisement (8/12)
Court tackles Seminole dispute (9/24)
The Seminole Nation's hanging chad (8/8)
Resolution of Seminole dispute sought in court (5/28)
Court decision rocks Seminole Nation (5/8)
Seminole's Chief Haney restored to power (5/7)
Black Seminole appeal planned (5/1)
Black Seminoles dealt setback (4/30)
Opinion: Seminole Nation always black (4/22)
A fight over funds, race (4/4)
Seminole Head Start funds OKed (2/6)
Seminole changes sought again (1/16)
Ousted Seminole leader sues tribe, BIA (12/14)
Black Seminole issue still divisive (10/29)
Suspended Seminole Chief to sue (6/27)
Seminole Chief Haney suspended (6/26)
Race part of Seminole dispute (1/29)
Seminole voters approve changes (7/7)
Seminole vote may affect Freedmen (7/7)
