Rep. Diane Watson (D-California) plans to introduce legislation to cut federal funding to the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.
Watson is upset that tribal voters changed their constitution to deny citizenship to the Freedmen, the descendants of African slaves. The Freedmen were made members in a post-Civil War treaty.
Rep. Dan Boren (D-Oklahoma), whose district includes the Cherokee Nation, and Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma), the only Native American in Congress, oppose the legislation. They say it's too early to act since the issue is being handled in tribal and federal court.
The Freedmen have been temporarily restored to citizenship in time for a June 23 election.
Get the Story:
Boren, Cole oppose severing U.S. ties with Cherokee Nation
(The Oklahoman 6/17)
pwpwd
Cherokee polling places set for Saturday election (The Muskogee Phoenix 6/18)
Cherokee Nation debate first in modern history (The Tahlequah Daily Press 6/18)
BIA Letters:
May 21, 2007 | March 28, 2007 | August 30, 2006
Sovereign Immunity Court Decision:
Vann v. Kempthorne (December 19,
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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