In Oklahoma, Juneteenth Highlights Tribal Slavery Descendants’ Fight for Recognition and Citizenship

June 24, 2025

of "Freedmen Fight for Recognition in Tribal Nations" Descendants of people enslaved by Native American tribes in Oklahoma continue to struggle for full citizenship rights in four of the five tribal nations that signed reconstruction treaties in 1866 promising them citizenship. Currently, only the Cherokee Nation fully recognizes Freedmen descendants as citizens, while the Muscogee, Seminole, Choctaw, and Chickasaw nations have varying degrees of restrictions or complete denial of citizenship rights. The Muscogee Nation is facing a legal challenge from Freedmen descendants Rhonda Grayson and Jeff Kennedy, who argue that the tribe's 1979 constitution restricting citizenship to those "by-blood" violates the 1866 treaty.

Who is affected

Descendants of formerly enslaved people (Freedmen) from the Cherokee, Seminole, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Muscogee nations
Approximately 2,500 Freedmen citizens in the Seminole Nation who have limited rights
Over 1,000 citizens of African ancestry who were disenrolled from the Seminole Nation in 2000
Potential thousands of new members who could join the Muscogee Nation if the current legal challenge succeeds
Freedmen descendants who cannot access tribal services such as healthcare, education, and housing assistance

What action is being taken

The Muscogee Nation Supreme Court is currently hearing arguments in a case brought by Grayson and Kennedy fighting for citizenship rights
The Indian Health Services is allowing Freedmen citizens in the Seminole Nation to access healthcare at IHS facilities following pressure from Congress and the Biden administration
Four Freedmen representatives currently sit on the Seminole Nation's tribal council, though with limited rights
The Choctaw Nation has set up an internal committee and solicited tribal member comments on the Freedmen issue

Why it matters

Citizenship in tribal nations grants access to vital services including healthcare, education, and housing assistance
The issue represents a struggle for recognition of both African and Native ancestry for many Freedmen descendants
The citizenship restrictions perpetuate historical divisions created by the U.S. government through the Dawes Rolls
Recognition of Freedmen would acknowledge their ancestors' contributions to tribal nations and their shared history
The legal battles involve important questions of tribal sovereignty, treaty obligations, and historical justice
Federal funding for tribal programs has been threatened over the issue

What's next

The Muscogee Nation Supreme Court ruling on the Grayson and Kennedy case is expected later this year, which could potentially open the door for thousands of new tribal members
No explicit next steps stated in the article for the Seminole, Choctaw, or Chickasaw nations

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint