From David Cornsilk comes this news:
Sources at the CNO Complex have notified me that the Freedmen have won their tribal court lawsuit. I don't have many details at this moment, but the District Court has ordered tribal registration to immediately begin processing the 4,000 pending Freedmen applications. The tribe can still appeal to the CNO Supreme Court.
The news is still breaking, stay tuned
UPDATE: Cherokee Nation District Court Judge John Cripps overturned an amendment to the Cherokee Nation Constitution passed by the Cherokee people with 77% of the vote in 2007, which denied citizenship to about 2,800 non-Indian freedmen descendants who had gained citizenship since a previous court ruling in 2006.
UPDATE II: http://www.cherokee.org/NewsRoom/FullStory/3464/Page/Default.aspx The Cherokee AG sounds like they may appeal. In a lower court ruling today, Cherokee Nation District Court Judge John Cripps overturned an amendment to the Cherokee Nation Constitution passed by the Cherokee people with 77% of the vote in 2007, which denied citizenship to about 2,800 non-Indian freedmen descendants who had gained citizenship since a previous court ruling in 2006.
“We have received the district court decision with which we respectfully disagree,” said Diane Hammons, Attorney General for the Cherokee Nation. “We believe that the Cherokee people can change our Constitution, and that the Cherokee citizenry clearly and lawfully enunciated their intentions to do so in the 2007 Amendment. We are considering all options, including our right to appeal to the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court."
It is wonderful to see that Justice is being done to protect the human and civil rights of the Individual Indian whose rights have been violated for several years. Let's hope the Cherokee Supreme Court sees the justice as well when the Cherokee Nation appeals their loss. Without all of its people given the rights to vote and be a part of the cultural and lineal heritage, the Nation's leaders are no better than those who create aparthied in Africa. Let's hope that the Cherokee Nation doesn't fire their judges for ruling against them. Congratulations Cherokee Freedmen for a fighting for your basic and civil rights.
ReplyDeleteHope this helps you in your struggles with your tribe...it cany hurt....people need to open up to your situation....ITS WRONG TO DO WHAT YOUR TRIBE DID!!!!and for that reason, i wont step foot into Pechanga!!...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the Freedmen, whos ancestor were dragged on the trail of tears as PROPERTY.
ReplyDeleteNow, they are full members of the tribe, where they belong.
Will Chad Smith spend millions more of Cherokee money to perpetuate this wrong?
Congratulations to my Native brothers and sisters you inspire to fight for our Rights -Eastern band
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