Five Civilized Tribes

October 16, 2017

The Fight For Representation: The Cherokee Freedman

October 16, 2017 - The Cherokee Freedman - One of the little explored parts of our history is the enslavement of African-descended people by the Native American nations known as the Five Civilized Tribes. In August 2017, after years of legal battles, a lawsuit was won by the descendants of some of these slaves, called the Cherokee Freedman, which allows them full citizenship in the Cherokee nation. We talk with Jenni Monet, Marilynn Vann, Jon Velie, and Perline Boyattia.