Section 8 Update

Descendants of Cherokee Freedmen Are Being Denied Tribal Rights

 

Descendants of Cherokee Freedmen Are Being Denied Tribal Rights Dec 21, 2016 | 517 videos Video by America Reframed Most Americans are familiar with the Trail of Tears, when Cherokees were removed from their native lands and forced west. However, the involvement of African Americans is less known. When the U.S. Indian Removal Act forced many Native Americans to move, enslaved Africans also followed them into the frontier. After the U.S. banned slavery, men and women who were enslaved in the Cherokee Nation were granted freedom and full tribal membership—they were called Cherokee Freedmen. This excerpt from the new documentary By Blood, by America Reframed, looks at the current legal battle for tribal rights that descendants of the Freedmen are embroiled in. Both the Cherokee and Seminole Nations began denying citizenship to Freedmen descendants, arguing that they are not members of their tribe “by blood.” Watch the full film here. Author: Nadine Ajaka

Dear President Obama

Nancy Lockhart, M.J.

November 22, 2016

The White House

President Barack Obama

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Obama:

I worked very hard to get you elected as president of the United States and many other people did as well.  I coordinated rallies across the United States through Nation for Change and registered many to vote.  One of your campaign staff members promised me a job upon you becoming president.  Madura something or, other from Australia.  He Lied.  I remained disappointed but, proud of you. I'm a great organizer and used my skills to assist. I've been very proud of you as president of the United States, now I am not. I am honestly ashamed of actions with the Dakota Access Pipeline at this current moment.

I know that as the President and as a lawyer, you're able to stop the savage brutality of Water Protectors at Standing Rock. I also know that you are able to stop this Dakota Access Pipeline from going through sacred grounds and under the Mo. River.

You've stated that you were going to let this play out for a couple of weeks, as a matter of fact, that statement was made on November 1, 2016. Well, a couple of weeks are over. How much longer will this be allowed to play out?  This is not a computer game of wild, wild, west. Native American lives are at stake: their water, their food and everything else that it takes to live on this earth is at stake. United States Treaties have been broken.

 I've watched the live stream videos of police and firemen spraying unarmed, praying, Water Protectors with cold water in sub degree temperatures.  The Barack Obama that I Thought I Knew, wouldn't allow this.  I haven't been president therefore; my hair isn't as grey but, it’s getting there. This DAPL situation is causing wrinkles to come around my mouth just as yours.

I understand that Donald Trump stands to gain 25% profits upon completion of this pipeline. I also read that he invested upwards of 2 million dollars in this pipeline.  You've taken the high road throughout your presidency - please continue to take the high road and do the right thing by our Native brothers and sisters.

I definitely hope that this letter reaches you. I'm very doubtful but, simply decided to take my chances.

I realize that you’ve worked very hard these last eight years. I have as well, for the past 12 years I’ve worked to free wrongfully convicted inmates.  My work released two Mississippi Sisters, Florida’s Marissa Alexander, brought a stay of execution for Willie Manning and many more.  As I complete work on the case of Mississippi’s innocent, Carla Hughes this year, please work on and reroute that pipeline.  Make those individuals respect you and stop the encroachment of Native Lands while also putting a stop to the brutality and savage treatment by police officers.

#NoDAPL  #StandingRock

Don't leave it for Trump.

Respectfully Submitted,

Nancy Lockhart