Cherokee Nation high court orders term ‘by blood’ removed

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Cherokee Nation Supreme Court says the term ‘by blood’ is void and should be removed from the tribe’s laws and Constitution.

The decision handed down Monday was in response to a 2017 federal case.

That case determined that descendants of Black slaves, known as Freedmen, who once were owned by members of the Cherokee Nation have a right to tribal citizenship.

Cherokee Nation Attorney General Sara Hill had requested the nation’s high court address the issue and issue an order.

The nation says it has about 8,500 enrolled citizens of Freedmen descent.

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