Judge Rules That Cherokee Freedmen Have Right To Tribal Citizenship
A federal judge has ruled in favor of descendants of enslaved people owned by members of the tribe in the 19th century. The tribe's attorney general says he does not intend to appeal the decision.
A judge ruled Wednesday that the descendants of enslaved people who were owned by members of the Cherokee Nation — known as Cherokee Freedmen — have citizenship rights.
"The Cherokee Nation can continue, "but must do so equally and evenhandedly with respect to native Cherokees and the descendants of Cherokee Freedmen."
