Cherokee Freedmen

Obama on the Cherokee Freedmen

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

From the AP:

TULSA, Okla. (AP) – Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama believes Congress should let the judicial system do its work before getting involved in a dispute over Cherokee citizenship.

Obama says an injunction is in place protecting the rights of Cherokee freedmen, and Congress should not undermine the legal process.

Cherokee citizens voted last year to take away the tribal citizenship of the freedmen, who are descendants of slaves formerly owned by the tribe.

Lawsuits over the matter are pending in federal and tribal court.

Obama says federal intervention in internal matters of Indian tribes is rarely productive, and Congress should let the Cherokees decide the matter.

D.C. Circuit Briefs in Vann v. Kempthorne

Matthew L.M. Fletcher1 Comment

Here are the briefs before the D.C. Circuit in the ongoing Cherokee Freedmen case.

cherokee nation-appellant-brief

vann-appellee-brief

cherokee-nation-reply-brief

Cherokee Principal Chief Chad Smith to Conclude 2008 Federal Indian Bar

Matthew L.M. Fletcher3 Comments

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.

final-fba-2008-agenda-plus-smith

Vann v. Kempthorne D.C Circuit Oral Argument Scheduled

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

The oral argument is scheduled for May 6, 2008, before Circuit Judges Tatel, Garland, and Griffith.

Here is the order.

Native Heritage Month at MSU

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

You can download the calendar here: MSU Native Heritage Month Calendar

Highlights include Pat LeBeau’s talk on mascots on the 7th and NALSA’s panel, Tribal Extinction, featuring Marilyn Vann of the Cherokee Freedmen, on the 9th.