Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith appears to be endorsing Sen. Barack Obama (D-Illinois) for president, just days after the Democratic candidate took a stance favoring the tribe in the Freedmen controversy.

Smith said Obama "will be a good president for Indian Country." He said Obama is right to oppose Congressional intervention in the dispute over the Freedmen's citizenship in the tribe.

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus are trying to cut funds to the tribe until the Freedmen are restored to full citizenship. Currently, they are members on a temporary basis as the tribal courts resolve a lawsuit over their status.

Obama is a member of the CBC but he said Congress should wait until the tribal and federal courts resolve the matter. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals last week heard an appeal over the tribe's involvement in a Freedmen lawsuit.

Get the Story:
Obama takes on freedmen issue (The Tulsa World 5/11)

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)

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