Ruling paves way for freedmen's citizenship in Cherokee Nation.

[elleng]

'The descendants of Cherokee freedmen have a right to tribal citizenship, a federal court ruled Wednesday.

The ruling by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia is an important victory in the freedmen's longstanding legal battle to secure rights to Cherokee citizenship.

In its 78-page decision, the court ruled that the Treaty of 1866, which entitled freedmen to "all the rights of native Cherokees," takes priority over the tribe's constitution.

"The Cherokee Nation's sovereign right to determine its membership is no less now, as a result of this decision, than it was after the Nation executed the 1866 Treaty," the decision states.'>>>

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/courts/ruling-paves-way-for-freedmen-s-citizenship-in-cherokee-nation/article_bff0f932-dbd1-5dea-9870-4674a400dd5d.html

[yellerpup]

1. My friend, Marilyn Vann, brought this suit years ago.

We just filmed a segment of a documentary a few weeks ago together because I have a play in NYC opening in September about race relations and the Freedman issue. My hope was to bring attention to the issue, but now that they won, "Blood Boundary" can be used to educate. In doing my research and reading dozens if not hundreds of Dawes Roll testimonies, the mistakes made then are finally being corrected now. Justice is finally served.

[elleng]

2. Great to hear. I learned about it because a family friend is among the parties too,

and his daughter just posted on fb. My friend's mother just posted: 'This is MONUMENTAL! My kids will get their membership cards and will finally have all the rights and privileges of a Cherokee citizen. That means the right to VOTE! Congratulations to. All the new citizens!'

[brush]

3. And the right to share in gambling revenue...

which it was all about unfortunately

[yellerpup]

5. Sorry, brush, you are incorrect.

The Cherokee Nation does not distribute cash allotments to their citizens. Instead we build hospitals, fund housing programs, fund thousands of college scholarships every year, donate money (notably $5MM to Oklahoma schools outside the Cherokee Nation) to local initiatives to firefighters, police forces, veterans. We support job training programs, have aerospace manufacturing facilities and of course, the casinos which all rake in a lot of money which goes back into the Tribe. Our money is used for the good of all; NO ONE gets any kind of cash stipend. This makes me very proud to be a member of the Cherokee Nation.

[brush]

6. Good on that Nation. Sharing those benefits is an issue with some Nations though, right?

[yellerpup]

7. That is true.

Every Nation has different rules for membership, and many tribes (especially those with small membership) do give annual allotments. Some provide services like health care and education and nothing else.

[yellerpup]

4. I'm happy for your friend.

This has only taken 151 years to sort out. I'm especially happy for Marilyn Vann. She is a warrior for equality and justice and has worn herself out to keep this suit going. I breath a sigh of relief for her and for every Freedman descendant who celebrates this great victory today.