Author: Tom Clapper
Last saved by: Gina Delaney
Company: Senate

STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 52nd Legislature (2009)

SENATE
RESOLUTION 65	By:	Johnson (Constance) and Eason McIntyre

AS INTRODUCED

A Resolution acknowledging the unique and rich contributions of the Cherokee Freedmen to the State of Oklahoma; celebrating their 142nd year of citizenship in the Cherokee Nation; and directing distribution.

WHEREAS, Freedmen, the descendents of African slaves owned by Native American tribal members, came to new settlements in Oklahoma from traditional Native American lands in North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and other areas along with their tribal members during the forced migration known as the “Trail of Tears”; and
WHEREAS, according to the Sequoyah Research Center at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Arkansas, the Cherokee tribe, one of the largest in the United States, was a multi-racial, multi-cultural constitutional nation whose citizenship was based on birth or adoption.  It was also once one of the wealthiest tribes.  Some of its members held more than 100 slaves on plantations in the South; and
WHEREAS, Cherokee Freedmen gained their first citizenship in the Cherokee Nation pursuant to the Treaty of 1866, which acknowledged the nation’s surrender in conjunction with the defeat of the Confederacy.  Cherokee Freedmen gained their second citizenship in 1901 when the United States made all of the citizens of the Cherokee Nation citizens of the United States; and
WHEREAS, the tribal lineage of black Native American descendants is rich in history and precedent.  Cherokee Freedmen, in particular, actively participated in the economic, social, and political life of the tribes, including voting and running for political office, and have been main players in every election.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 52ND OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:
THAT the Oklahoma State Senate acknowledges the unique heritage and rich contributions of the Cherokee Freedmen to the State of Oklahoma.
THAT the Oklahoma State Senate joins the Cherokee Freedmen in celebrating their 142nd year of citizenship in the Cherokee Nation.
THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to the Executive Director of the Freedmen Association of the Five Civilized Tribes.

52-1-2094	THC	5/19/2009 4:11:55 PM

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