Stacy Leeds, a professor at the University of Kansas School of Law, will develop a comprehensive history of the Freedmen of the Cherokee Nation for a fellowship she was awarded by the Fletcher Foundation.

Leeds, a tribal member, was a former justice for the Cherokee Nation's highest court. She wrote the decision that said the Freedmen were entitled to citizenship.

Leeds subsequently ran for chief but lost to incumbent Chad Smith. Smith believes the tribe has a right to deny citizenship to the Freedmen.

Leeds was awarded $50,000 fellowship and must complete her project within a year.

Get the Story:
Kansas Law Professor Named Fletcher Fellow (DIVERSE 7/10)
Friend of CAHC awarded Fletcher Fellowship (The Muskogee Phoenix 7/10)

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

Related Stories:
Cherokee Freedmen to host meeting in Oklahoma (7/1)
Obama meets Congressional Black Caucus (6/20)
Artman wrote Freedmen letter before resigning (6/13)
Letter: Rep. Watson wrong on Cherokee Freedmen (6/13)
Rep. Watson: Speech at Freedmen conference (6/11)
Cherokee Nation starts two more Freedmen websites (6/5)
Letter: Cherokee Nation chief's 'grandstanding' (6/5)
Letter: Stop 'bullying' of Cherokee Nation (6/4)
Senate approves NAHASDA reauthorization (05/23)
Opinion: Freedmen were never Cherokee citizens (5/21)
Mike Graham: The Cherokee Nation's Wounded Knee (5/20)
Opinion: Unethical removal of Cherokee Freedmen (5/16)
Rep. Watson: Obama wrong on Cherokee Freedmen (5/14)
Cherokee chief praises Obama as 'good president' (5/12)
Opinion: Freedmen victimized by Cherokee Nation (5/12)
Obama wants courts to resolve Freedmen dispute (5/9)
Letter: A solution to Cherokee Freedmen issue (5/8)
Appeals court hears Cherokee Freedmen dispute (5/7)
Appeals court to hear Cherokee Freedmen case (5/6)
Campbell: Congress destroying the Cherokee Nation (5/2)
Artman's tenure marked by Freedmen dispute (4/30)
Artman resigns after a year as head of BIA (4/29)
Opinion: Cherokee Nation's boat of federal funds (4/25)
Cherokee Freedmen dispute a threat to NAHASDA (4/24)
Opinion: The history of the Cherokee Freedmen (4/23)
Rep. Frank backs Freedmen in Cherokee funding fight (4/22)
Freedmen issue weighs heavy on Capitol Hill (4/14)
Tim Giago: CBC goes after Cherokee Nation (4/14)
Cherokee tribes denounce Freedmen legislation (4/10)
Cherokee chief to address Freedmen at conference (4/7)
Black lawmakers press Senate on Freedmen (4/4)
Cherokee Freedmen dispute up for hearing (3/27)
Opinion: Being Cherokee more than the blood (3/26)
Lawmakers press Artman on Freedmen issues (3/19)
Freedmen protest outside of Rep. Boren's office (3/3)
Black lawmakers to meet with Artman over Freedmen (1/23)