The Cherokee Nation's harrowing past of enslaving people is now being brought to light in a new exhibit at the Cherokee National Historical Museum.
Titled "We Are Cherokee: Cherokee Freedmen and Citizenship," this thought-provoking exhibit delves into the centuries-long struggle of Black individuals who were once enslaved by the Cherokee Nation. Employing a mix of artwork, family histories, and historical documents, the exhibit endeavors to shed light on the dark chapter of Cherokee history that was often overlooked or shrouded in silence.
Recent strides have been made by the Cherokee Nation to reflect on their history of slavery. This museum exhibit serves as one of the latest attempted reconciliations.
"This museum exhibit is truly the pinnacle of our ongoing efforts to not only fulfill legislative requirements for equality but also to embody the spirit of equality in its truest form and delve into the overlooked part of Cherokee history that was often pushed aside in the shadows," cited Chuck Hoskin Jr., the Chief Chief of the Cherokee Nation, in a recent interview with CNN.
The eradication of the Cherokee Freedmen's rights to citizenship lasted for a considerable time.
The origins of Cherokee Freedmen's struggles can be traced back to the late 18th century. Though the Cherokees had not participated in the practice of slavery, they adopted it as a consequence of European influence. Moreover, as the United States forcibly displaced the Cherokees from their ancestral lands in the Southeast and relocated them west of the Mississippi, slaves were also forced to accompany them.
It wasn't until 1863 that the Cherokee Nation passed a law for the "emancipation of enslaved peoples." In 1866, they joined the United States in a treaty that abolished slavery, granted former slaves full citizenship rights, and vowed to protect their civil rights. However, the Cherokee Nation frequently failed to honor these commitments, leaving many Cherokee Freedmen and their descendants deprived of citizenship.
In 1983, the Cherokee Nation revoked their citizenship from the very individuals they had once enslaved, resulting in a protracted series of legal battles. However, in 2007, the Cherokee Nation amended their constitution to restrict citizenship to individuals with "native blood," effectively stripping tens of thousands of Cherokee Freedmen of their rights until these adjustments were ultimately overturned in the previous year.
"I hope that my children and grandchildren will grow up in a world where they are completely bewildered as to why for nearly two centuries, the rights of descendants of the freedmen have been taken away, and they will proudly celebrate the fact that we have succeeded in doing so," said an elated individual.
"I also believe we become a stronger nation by recognizing the rights of the Friedmans and their descendants. On behalf of the Cherokee Nation, we acknowledge and honor our shared history."
As of now, approximately 11,800 descendants of Cherokee Freedmen have regained their Cherokee Nation citizenship.
Furthermore, progress has been made even within the Cherokee Nation's governmental circles. Last year, a former advocate for Cherokee Freedmen rights, Marilyn Vann, became the first Cherokee Freedmen descendant to hold a governmental office in the Cherokee Nation. Recently, Chief Hoskin also appointed a new advisor to engage with the Freedmen community within the government.
More than 5,000 names of Cherokee Freedmen can now be found etched on the museum's walls. These names have been extracted from the Dawes Rolls, a list compiled by federal officials that aimed to determine potential tribal membership throughout the late 19th century. Significantly, the Dawes Rolls listed Cherokee Freedmen and their descendants by various factors like blood quantum, mixture, adoption, or former enslavement status. However, despite the existence of mixed ancestry due to interracial relationships, only those of Cherokee descent were officially recognized as free people.
The Cherokee Freedmen Exhibit offers a vast collection of historical archival materials that have been compiled by the descendants themselves. Guests will have the opportunity to explore a signed presidential pardon by former U.S. President Barack Obama in honor of Cherokee Freedman descendant, Rufus Vann, who served in the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry, and vintage photos of Cherokee Freedman descendants, such as Phyllis Vann Bean.
"For far too long, these names and voices have been ignored," mentioned Travis Owens, Vice President of Cultural Tourism for Cherokee Nation Enterprises. "Now, they are not just within the walls of the building; they are also prominently displayed for all to see."
At the exhibit, guests can also witness the journey of Willadine Johnson's direct ancestors who were enslaved Cherokees. Johnson's grandparents, who were of mixed Cherokee descent, walked the infamous "Trail of Tears" alongside their Cherokee captors. In 2006, they finally obtained Cherokee Nation citizenship cards. Johnson's family joined many others in celebrating their family's history becoming part of the exhibit, shedding tears of joy and gratitude.
This recent exhibit's focus on reevaluating the past serves as a crucial reminder of the Cherokee Nation's history with enslavement and its subsequent impact on Cherokee Freedmen. Despite the activism and hard work of many, struggles with citizenship rights persist within other Southeastern Native American tribes, such as the Muscogee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Seminole, as they also seek redemption and justice.
"We are making significant strides in recognizing the rights of the Cherokee Freedmen, yet there is still much to be done in achieving full equal rights. I hope this exhibit becomes a significant milestone towards this noble goal," said Chief Hoskin, expressing his optimism. "I believe the healthiest move the Cherokee Nation can make is to confront these chapters of our past, to be honest about the challenges we've faced, and to link these struggles to the issues we're dealing with today. The beginning of understanding starts with recognizing the foundational history."
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The history of slavery within the Cherokee Nation is a result of its complicated and often obscured past.
The Cherokee Nation's Relationship with Slavery
- Cherokee Slavery Practices:
- Prior to European contact, the Cherokee Nation maintained no distinct slavery system. However, they eventually succumbed to European influence and practices, adopting the tradition of enslaving Africans to serve as laborers. By the mid-19th century, many Cherokee citizens had become indulged in slavery.
- Notable Cherokee Slave Owners:
- Prominent Cherokee leaders, such as John Ross, a key figure in the Cherokee Nation, owned slaves. Ross structured his home to reflect his wealth generated by slave labor, completing a grand yellow mansion fortified with columns and opulent rooms.
Cherokee Freedmen Citizenship Rights
- Emancipation and Citizenship:
- Following the American Civil War, the Cherokee Freedmen were granted their freedom. In 1866, the Cherokee Nation signed a reconstruction treaty with the United States, bestowing the Freedmen full citizenship and civil rights protection.
- Dawes Rolls and Citizenship Exclusion:
- In the late 19th century, the Dawes Commission created registers to determine tribal membership and land allotments. However, difficulty in determining blood quantum and other factors led to many Cherokee Freedmen being miscategorized or excluded from receiving land allotments, thus denying them access to tribal membership perks.
- Controversy and Legal Battles:
- The exclusion of Cherokee Freedmen from tribal membership resulted in considerable controversy. Legal challenges ensued over tribal membership eligibility in the latter half of the 20th century. The controversy continued until 2006, when a decision from the Cherokee Nation Judicial Appeal Tribunal granted Cherokee Freedmen descendants the right to citizenship, which was later upheld in the United States Federal courts.
- Current Status:
- Today, descendants of Cherokee Freedmen who are listed in the Dawes Rolls are eligible to gain citizenship within the Cherokee Nation. The tribe boasts a wide array of ancestry, not just Cherokee, but also mixed-race, African, Latino, Asian, and European descendants. However, the ongoing controversy over citizenship requirements remains a sensitive issue.
