Cherokees Oust Slave Descendants
The 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.The 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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The list of descendants stems from the Dawes Commission, established by Congress more than 100 years ago.
It created two lists – one of “blood” Cherokees and one of black freedmen.
Principal Chief Chad Smith said about 8,700 people had voted – more than the turnout for the Cherokee constitution vote of four years ago.
He said: “The Cherokee people exercised the most basic democratic right, the right to vote.
“Their voice is clear as to who should be citizens of the Cherokee Nation. No-one else has the right to make that determination.”
But opponents of the amendment levelled accusations of discrimination.
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