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Native America Calling
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Native America Calling: A giant leap for Muscogee Freedmen citizenship
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
A giant leap for Muscogee Freedmen citizenship
Muscogee Freedmen are closer to tribal citizenship than ever before.
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Supreme Court ruled the tribe must extend the rights of citizenship to the descendants of enslaved persons who also have Muscogee lineage. Tune in to hear from Freedman who welcome the ruling, but warn there are likely more hurdles ahead. [Court Documents: SC-2023-10, Citizenship Board of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation v. Rhonda K. Grayson and Jeffrey D. Kennedy]
Also, talk with an Alaska Native engineer working on building clean water systems for rural villages and inspiring Native girls to consider careers in science along the way.
Plus, hear from both U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and Chairman Shannon Wheeler of the Nez Perce Tribe about Kennedy’s visit to the Nez Perce Reservation in Idaho. Kennedy touted the Donald Trump administration’s commitment to food sovereignty.
On July 24, 2025, U.S. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the Nez Perce Tribal fish hatchery to meet with tribal leaders and staff about traditional foods and tribal health. Read the full release: https://t.co/84mzQaIxJa pic.twitter.com/3BDSPKhUdF
— Nez Perce Tribe (@NPT1855) July 25, 2025
Guests on Native America Calling
Marilyn Vann (Cherokee Nation), president of the Descendants of Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes Association
Eli Grayson (Muscogee), radio host, Muscogee Nation Hall of Fame inductee, and a Freedmen descendant
Charitie Ropati (Yup’ik and Samoan), climate justice advocate, water engineer, and North America Regional Facilitator at the Youth Climate Justice Fund
Shannon Wheeler (Nez Perce), chairman of the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee
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