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 Cherokees Oust Slave DescendantsPosted on Mar 4, 2007The Cherokee nation has voted against recognizing the descendants of former slaves, despite a tribal supreme court ruling to the contrary last year. Of the estimated 250,000 to 270,000 members, 8,700 took part in the election. Defenders of the decision say they have a right to determine the nation’s makeup without interference from the U.S. government or others.
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By Steve Hammons, March 5, 2007 at 7:03 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
This interesting news story indirectly affects many more people than it first seems.
The case narrowly involves whether black “freedmen” who are decendents of slaves of the Cherokee, but have no Cherokee “blood” (genetic/DNA background), should be official tribal members (which often required 1/16th “blood quantum” for many tribes).
However, what is interesting is that many other African-American and European-Americans DO have Cherokee DNA within them, and they may not even know it.
There was much intermixing of the newcomers to North America with the Cherokee back around the 1700s and early 1800s. Much of this was between Cherokee and Scottish or Anglo hunters, trappers and explorers. Daniel Boone is a good example. Blacks also intermixed with the Cherokee and other tribes.
Today, millions of “white” and “black” Americans have Cherokee and other Indian DNA in them. Some families know this, some have heard rumors and some have no idea. Simple DNA tests by mail to determine this are available from many commerical labs now.
In the article below, Chicago Tribune Columnist Clarence Page (who is black) is critiqued about a column he wrote on Native Americans, whites and the Cherokee. This may be of interest:
- - -
“Columnists article on Native Americans, Cherokee, needs more insight”
Steve Hammons
American Chronicle
November 17, 2005
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=3743
Report thisBy Jason J. Poston, March 4, 2007 at 8:30 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
As an American descendant of Cherokee people myself, I don’t view this decision as a benefit to the Cherokee nation. Nor do I believe it represents the best in Cherokee history and culture.
Report thisBy varney, March 4, 2007 at 3:01 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Please note that its not only descendants of black freedmen.
Report thisFrom Native American Times:
“The amendment limits citizenship in the Cherokee Nation to descendants of people who are listed on the Final Rolls of the Cherokee Nation as Cherokee, Delaware or Shawnee and excludes descendants of those listed on Intermarried White and Freedmen rolls taken at the same time.”
http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=8618