Second-largest U.S. Indian tribe expels slave descendants

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

http://news.yahoo.com/second-largest-u-indian-tribe-expels-slave-descendants-011650136.html

By Steve Olafson | Reuters – 7 hrs ago

OKLAHOMA CITY (Reuters) - The nation's second-largest Indian tribe formally booted from membership thousands of descendants of black slaves who were brought to Oklahoma more than 170 years ago by Native American owners.

The Cherokee nation voted after the Civil War to admit the slave descendants to the tribe.

But on Monday, the Cherokee nation Supreme Court ruled that a 2007 tribal decision to kick the so-called "Freedmen" out of the tribe was proper.

The controversy stems from a footnote in the brutal history of U.S. treatment of Native Americans. When many Indians were forced to move to what later became Oklahoma from the eastern U.S. in 1838, some who had owned plantations in the South brought along their slaves.

Some 4,000 Indians died during the forced march, which became known as the "Trail of Tears."

"And our ancestors carried the baggage," said Marilyn Vann, the Freedman leader who is a plaintiff in the legal battle.

Officially, there are about 2,800 Freedmen, but another 3,500 have tribal membership applications pending, and there could be as many as 25,000 eligible to enter the tribe, according to Vann.

The tribal court decision was announced one day before absentee ballots were to be mailed in the election of the Cherokee Principal Chief.

"This is racism and apartheid in the 21st Century," said Vann, an engineer who lives in Oklahoma City.

Spokesmen for the tribe did not respond when asked to comment.

The move to exclude the Freedmen has rankled some African American members of Congress, which has jurisdiction over all Native American tribes in the country.

A lawsuit challenging the Freedman's removal from the tribe has been pending in federal court in Washington, for about six years.

As a sovereign nation, Cherokee Nation officials maintain that the tribe has the right to amend its constitutional membership requirements.

Removal from the membership rolls means the Freedmen will no longer be eligible for free health care and other benefits such as education concessions.

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

Wow, I'm trying to understand what this is all about. :wacko:

[peejay 327]

Wow, I'm trying to understand what this is all about. :wacko:

Money from Uncle Sugar. Or rather...not spreading it around.

[Nagishkaw 510]

Generikees. Sheesh.

[slim 1,530]

Shocker.

"Removal from the membership rolls means the Freedmen will no longer be eligible for free health care and other benefits such as education concessions." I believe they get some nice tax breaks too. Amazing that they'd want to "protect their heritage."

An engineer is the plaintiff. I guess he's keeping up with traditional Indian culture.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

Since the size of the membership determines the amount of benefit, and many benefits do not cost the Tribes a dime, this appears to be more along the lines of self-exclusion. Pathetic news.

[luckytxn 2,265]

The Cherokee casinos have started to bring in lots of money so they need to stop the flow of applications to become members.

[Karee 4,191]

Shocker.

"Removal from the membership rolls means the Freedmen will no longer be eligible for free health care and other benefits such as education concessions." I believe they get some nice tax breaks too. Amazing that they'd want to "protect their heritage."

An engineer is the plaintiff. I guess he's keeping up with traditional Indian culture.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Under US treaty law and judicial precedent, Native American tribes are sovereigns for the purpose of deciding membership. This is not an uncommon method of culling political opponents from the rolls or others who upset powerful members. Adopted children have been cut from tribal roles; the family and supporters of ousted leaders have been forced out. Nothing new.

The reason why this garners attention is because its based on race and signals a reversal of the Cherokee nation's prior position that their slaves and their descendants had become like their own.

An engineer is the plaintiff. I guess he's keeping up with traditional Indian culture.

There were engineers among Native people. Why is that so strange?

[Karee 4,191]

Under US treaty law and judicial precedent, Native American tribes are sovereigns for the purpose of deciding membership. This is not an uncommon method of culling political opponents from the rolls or others who upset powerful members. Adopted children have been cut from tribal roles; the family and supporters of ousted leaders have been forced out. Nothing new.

The reason why this garners attention is because its based on race and signals a reversal of the Cherokee nation's prior position that their slaves and their descendants had become like their own.

There were engineers among Native people. Why is that so strange?

I think he was making a joke about south Asian Indians.

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

I think he was making a joke about south Asian Indians.

*cough* *cough* 7-11, cab drivers, doctors :rofl:

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Joe Biden will vouch for 7/11.

[luckytxn 2,265]

*cough* *cough* 7-11, cab drivers, doctors :rofl:

Hotel owners.....

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Shocker.

"Removal from the membership rolls means the Freedmen will no longer be eligible for free health care and other benefits such as education concessions." I believe they get some nice tax breaks too. Amazing that they'd want to "protect their heritage."

An engineer is the plaintiff. I guess he's keeping up with traditional Indian culture.

Traditional Indian culture doesn't exist

[luckytxn 2,265]

Traditional Indian culture doesn't exist

They have a huge temple near where I live.