The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma filed suit in federal court on Tuesday, seeking to end a dispute over the status of the Freedmen.

The tribe changed its constitution to deny citizenship to the Freedmen, who are the descendants of former slaves. The Freedmen claim rights under an 1866 treaty but the tribe says Congress modified the treaty.

“After years of controversy, it is important to let the federal courts settle this issue,” Chief Chad Smith said in a statement.

The lawsuit names individual Freedmen as defendants, along with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. It was filed in the Northern District of Oklahoma.

Get the Story:
Tribe asks for courts to rule on freedmen (The Tulsa World 2/4)
Cherokees go to court over freedmen citizenship (AP 2/4)