Bill in Congress requires U.S. to 'sever' relations with Muscogee (Creek) Nation

Wednesday, April 3, 2019  

A bill introduced in the 116th Congress requires the United States to "sever" all relations with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation until the tribe confirms the citizenship status of its Freedmen, who are the descendants of slaves formerly held within the tribe.

If H.R.1514 becomes law, federal agencies would be barred from supplying "financial assistance and other services" to the tribe. The tribe would also lose the ability to engage in gaming on its lands in Oklahoma.

“Our national partners have committed to helping us contact different organizations, different music groups that are coming through and actually performing at the Creek Nation casinos, to put them on notice that they should not spend their money with an institution that is openly, brazenly and boldly discriminating based upon race,” Damario Solomon-Simmons, the general counsel for the Freedmen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation told The Tulsa World, which was the first to report on the bill.

In July 2018, the Freedmen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation sued the federal government and the leader of their tribe, asserting rights to citizenship under the Creek Treaty of 1866. The lawsuit claims the tribe has failed to abide by the government-to-government agreement, and that the Department of the Interior hasn't done anything about it either.

A similar lawsuit forced the Cherokee Nation to confirm that its Freedmen are entitled to citizenship pursuant to post-Civil War treaty. But before that happened, the tribe lost access to federal housing funds and members of the Congressional Black Caucus pushed legislation to cut off other funds.

H.R.1514 was introduced on March 5 by Rep. Danny Davis (D-Illinois), a member of the CBC described by Solomon-Simmons as the "champion" for the Creek Freedmen. It has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Freedmen call for boycott of Creek Nation, laud federal resolution aimed at severing tribe's U.S. ties (The Tulsa World April 2, 2019)

Supreme Court takes up another Indian law case with few on the horizon (January 8, 2019)
Bill John Baker: Five Civilized Tribes welcome repeal of termination-era law (January 7, 2019)
Peter d'Errico: United States admits to genocide in Supreme Court case (December 3, 2018)
Trump administration argues against tribal sovereignty in Supreme Court case (November 27, 2018)
Supreme Court set for major showdown in tribal sovereignty case (October 11, 2018)
Supreme Court gains new member as Trump's shadow looms large in Indian cases (October 9, 2018)
Indian law professors join campaign against Brett Kavanaugh (October 4, 2018)
Supreme Court opens new term with major Indian law cases on docket (October 1, 2018)
'This is worse than I thought': Brett Kavanaugh hearing draws protests (September 28, 2018)
'All-out assault': Battle brews in Supreme Court sovereignty case (September 27, 2018)
More Alaska Natives oppose Brett Kavanaugh ahead of critical hearing (September 26, 2018)
Supreme Court takes up Indian law petitions amid major controversy (September 24, 2018)
'No reason for any further delay': Key Republican on Brett Kavanaugh (September 19, 2018)
'Lack of understanding of tribes': Brett Kavanaugh at Supreme Court (September 19, 2018)
Mark Trahant: Native advocates say no to Brett Kavanaugh (September 11, 2018)
Richard Peterson: Brett Kavanaugh threatens tribal sovereignty (September 10, 2018)
Indian Country awaits busy season at Supreme Court amid big change (August 15, 2018)
'Win-loss is still pretty bad': Tribes falter at Supreme Court (August 9, 2018)
'The threat level is very high': Women worried about abortion rights (July 25, 2018)
Native Sun News Today Editorial: Supreme Court nomination shows it's time for change (July 10, 2018)
A conservative majority: Supreme Court shifts to the right (July 10, 2018)
Graham Lee Brewer: Death penalty case poses test for tribal sovereignty (May 30, 2018)
Muscogee Nation clashes with state in reservation boundary dispute (May 21, 2018)
Another Indian law case in limbo as high court turns to Trump again (May 14, 2018)
Trump administration sides with industry in reservation boundary case (April 3, 2018)
Tribes take Wind River Reservation boundary case to Supreme Court (February 22, 2018)
Tribes see continued challenges as more cases head to highest court (February 21, 2018)
Appeals court won't revisit historic decision in Muscogee Nation boundary case (November 9, 2017)
Muscogee Nation citizen seeks dismissal of murder charge as boundary case heats up (September 29, 2017)
Oklahoma plans to ask court to reconsider ruling on Muscogee Nation boundaries (August 24, 2017)
Trump administration abandons tribes in battle over boundaries of reservation in Wyoming (August 14, 2017)
Muscogee Nation welcomes decision affirming the boundaries of its reservation (August 9, 2017)
Muscogee Nation citizen wins reversal of death penalty conviction in Oklahoma (August 8, 2017)
Appeals court hears slew of Indian cases amid focus on Supreme Court nominee (March 23, 2017)