Cherokee Nation hurt by Freedmen dispute

Monday, September 24, 2007  

The Cherokee Nation's public image has been hurt by the Freedmen citizenship dispute, Chief Chad Smith says.

Smith has been meeting with lawmakers in hopes of preventing legislative action against the tribe. Some members of the House are trying to cut federal funds to the tribe until the Freedmen are restored to citizenship.

So far, the effort appears to be working. Lawmakers say they will wait for the outcome of a tribal court case and a federal court case before moving forward.

The tribe also hired the Podesta Group, a well-known Washington lobbying firm, to address the issue. Registration forms were filed in July [Link].

Get the Story:
Controversy hurts tribe, chief says (The Tulsa World 9/24)
Fight over Cherokee identity grows (AP 9/23)
Cherokee Nation Definition Of Own Tribe Being Challenged (AP 9/23)

Cherokee-Related Legislation:
H.R.2786 | H.R.2895 | H.R.2824 | H.R.3002

BIA Letters:
August 9, 2007 | July 11, 2007 | June 22, 2007 | 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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