CHEROKEE NATION TRIBAL SUPREME COURT KICKS OUT BLACK FREEDMEN TRIBAL MEMBERS On August 22, 2011, the Cherokee nation tribal Supreme Court ruled that changes to the tribal constitution which effectively removed tribal citizenship from Cherokee freedmen in 2007 were valid. The Cherokee Supreme Court’s Decision to eliminate the Cherokee people who were granted freedom and citizenship under the Treaty of 1866 is bad law done for a bad reason and is being delivered to assist a former chief just beaten in an election, to eliminate most of the black people from voting in the new election, says Marilyn Vann, a Cherokee Freedmen, whose citizenship has just been terminated based on this ruling. Now, I, nor any Cherokee Freedmen can vote in the next chief election next month. This is timely for Chad Smith, who lost the election and the recount, but was granted a second chance for election by this same Supreme Court. It should also not be forgotten, that following the Cherokee Nation’s highest court, the Judicial Appeals Tribunal’s decision that the Freedmen were entitled to citizenship in 2006, Chad Smith, then Chief, dismantled the Court and established this Supreme Court in its place and selected new judges. It is obvious this decision is the tool he is using to regain his position as Chief and deliver the blow to eliminate my citizenship and other Cherokees who have held this status since 1866.” Despite Federal and Tribal Court rulings stating the Freedmen enjoy all the rights of Cherokee citizenship, The Smith administration has kept out 90% of the Freedmen. Only about 2,800 citizens have been holding on by a thread.  Marilyn Vann– President Descendants of Freedmen Association 405-818-5360 or 405-227-9810 mkvann@hotmail.com www.freedmen5tribes.com Attorney Jon Velie – 405-310-4333 or 405-821-5959 jon@velielaw.com www.velielaw.com