Georgia Congressman John Lewis Speaks At 2009 Cherokee Holiday

Congressman John Lewis of Georgia was the featured speaker at this years Cherokee National Holiday held in Tahlequah, OK the Cherokee Capital. Although Lewis gave a heartfelt speech about his lack of knowledge concerning the "Trail of Tears" holicost he did not mention the plight of Black Cherokees known as Freedmen. Cherokee Freedmen are decentents of Cherokee slaves who were provided Cherokee citizenship rights within the 1866 Treaty that re-established the government to government relationship between the United States and the Cherokee after the Civil War. Although Congress, still today, is the only body who can modify or abolish such a treaty, Smith called a Special Election in 2007 ammending the Cherokee Constitution to require proof of liniage to an ancestor on the Indian blood Dawes Roll for citizenship in the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. The Special Election cost the tribe $350,000 and was held 3 days prior to the start of the 2007 General Election for elected officials. Although the question was approved by the Cherokee voters the matter is still pending ajudication. Lewis has been a Civil Rights advocate and was one of several Congress members who signed a recent letter asking Attorney General Eric Holder to begin an Investigation into the Freedmen Civil Rights violation.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Chief Chad Smith
• Cherokee Nation
• Civil Rights
• John Lewis
• Troy Poteete

[chiefmuncie1]

@DickTulane hey im half cherokee and i vote.

[DickTulane]

It is a sad fact the the Cherokee people could fix this but they don't act, they don't speak and they don't vote. Some day the Phoenix will rise from the ashes.

[cherokeefreedmen]

Congressman Lewis why did you not meet with the Cherokee Freedmen while you were visiting the Cherokee Nation?

Civil Rights Leaders know you must meet with the people being oppressed to understand what they are forced to endure.

You will never learn the facts from the CNO government.

Congressman we need your pledge to learn the truth and get it to President Obama then bring him to the Cherokee Nation.

If he does what's right he will shine the light, of truth for the Cherokee Freedmen

[speakingwolf]

What a beautiful set up! If you couldn't see the smirks on the CNO faces it might have worked. Smith will need a boat load of famous black faces to convince anyone he is not a racist if they know the freedmen story. Lewis should give them whatever money CNO paid him. Black Cherokee are being slaughtered in the heart of America by CNO racists using federal taxpayer money. But a Black Georgia Congressman that is a Civil Rights Leader fails to even mention it. Shame on you Congressman Lewis!

[archiejr1]

Chad 2wife Smith says he wants to own A Black Cherokee?

Looks like he bought another kind?