Here is the final, final agenda for the FBA Indian Law Conference, now featuring Cherokee Nation principal chief Chad Smith, who will be speaking about the Cherokee Freedmen issue.
3 thoughts on “Cherokee Principal Chief Chad Smith to Conclude 2008 Federal Indian Bar”
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Turtle Talk 
Chad Smith’s opinions about the Freedmen controversy will finally show the rest of the world how archaic his views have become to Cherokees and Non-Cherokees who believe the Freedmen are tribal members.
The Cherokee Nation’s position is that it can dismiss a the Freedmen’s lawsuit filed against the United States to enforce a treaty based upon the Cherokee Nation’s sovereign immunity is very dangerous for Indian Country. The Cherokee Nation also argues that the Treaty was implicity abrogated by a subsequent bill which did not state abrogation. The Federal Bar’s one sided debate is a disservice to Tribes who may be adversely impacted by the Cherokees position which may negate the enforceability of treaties if successful.
Jon Velie
Lead Counsel for Cherokee Freedmen
Vann v. Kempthorne
With great respect, I must disagree with Mr. Velie’s comment about the “one sided debate.” Last year, the named plaintiff in the Vann v. Kempthorne litigation, Marilyn Vann closed the FBA conference, just as Principal Chief Smith will close this year’s conference.
Last year we received complaints about the panel being one-sided as well. We did ask a representative from the Cherokee Nation to speak, and he declined. We do our very best as organizers of the FBA to reach a balance of opinions on each subject, but sometimes it simply is not possible.
And, as always, and as happened last year, observers are free to participate in the Q&A session at the conclusion of the panel.