Freedmen vs Cherokee Nation

Freedmen suit challenge sent to D.C. A federal judge in Tulsa says the Cherokees' action is similar to a case pending there. By CLIFTON ADCOCK World Staff Writer Published: 7/7/2010 2:23 AM Last Modified: 7/7/2010 8:04 AM http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11& articleid =20100707_11_A13_ Afeder 470460 A federal lawsuit filed in Tulsa by the Cherokee Nation seeking a declaration that the descendants of freedmen are not entitled to membership in the tribe has been ordered transferred to Washington, D.C., where a similar lawsuit is pending against tribal leaders and the federal government. The Cherokee Nation filed its suit last year against the U.S. Department of the Interior and five descendants of freedmen — former slaves that had been owned by tribal members. The freedmens ' descendants had obtained tribal membership before Cherokees voted in 2007 to restrict Cherokee citizenship by excluding people whose ancestors were not listed on the Dawes Rolls as ...

Tennessee Indian status dispute has tribes at odds Clarksville leader defends move BY BRIAN EASON • THE LEAF-CHRONICLE • July 6, 2010 http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20100706/NEWS01/7060312 A dispute over tribal recognition has some American Indians in Tennessee at odds with a well-established tribe in another state. And a state American Indian caucus chaired by a Clarksvillian has positioned itself right in the middle of it. The Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs officially recognized six new tribes last month, a move that will make them eligible for federal funding and minority status. Jim Cossingham, a retired business consultant who now lives in Clarksville, praised the decision, noting the new opportunities it will provide local tribe members. Cossingham, a member of the Nipmuc Tribe of Massachusetts, said he's worked with American Indian tribes for years, helping them apply for federal funding. The scarcity of that funding appears to be at the heart of opposition ...

Newcomb: ‘Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson’ By Steven Newcomb Story Published: Jul 6, 2010 http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/opinion/97661764.html While in New York recently for the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, I was invited by an American Indian friend to see the off-Broadway production “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” at the Public Theatre. Written by Alex Timbers and Michael Friedman, and directed by Timbers, the play is being described as “an irreverent Wild West rock musical” that “redefines America’s seventh president, a pioneer of humble stock who invented the Democratic Party, moved Indians west, and played a kick-ass guitar.” The reviews have been quite positive and the play ran through the end of June. >From an American Indian perspective, however, “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” is a racist and dehumanizing portrayal of American Indians. It is an effort to be humorous by using and reinforcing the worst stereotypes of American Indians, and working them to ...