Former slaves assured citizenship in Tribal Nation.
On Wednesday, the Department of the Interior announced that Secretary Deb Haaland officially approved the new Constitution for the Cherokee Nation. The updated constitution explicitly provides for the rights of those who were the former slaves of members of the Five Tribes. These changes came after a decision in the federal district case of Cherokee Nation v. Nash, which ruled that Freedmen have the right to citizenship in the Cherokee Nation.
Secretary Haaland commended the passage saying, “The Cherokee Nation’s actions have brought this long-standing issue to a close and have importantly fulfilled their obligations to the Cherokee Freedmen. Today’s actions demonstrate that Tribal self-governance is the best path forward to resolving internal Tribal conflicts. We encourage other Tribes to take similar steps to meet their moral and legal obligations to the Freedmen.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- That the Interior Department would have discernment as it provides for Native Governments.
- For Secretary Haaland to seek God’s direction as she works to protect the rights of all Native Americans.
- For God’s purpose to be fulfilled as the administration works to promote justice for Tribal Nations.
Sources: Interior Department
