Learn more about Freedmen

During the early stages of colonization, some members of five Southeastern Native American tribes (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Creek, Seminole and Choctaw) began enslaving Black people as early as the 1700s. 

In 1866, after the Civil War ended, new treaties between the US government and the Five Civilized Tribes directed them to end slavery and extend citizenship rights to the Freedmen.

Yes, Cherokees abolished slavery during the Civil War, and soon afterward citizenship was extended to those who returned to the Nation within six months after signing the treaty.

Most of the tribes enrolled Freedmen, but the Chickasaw Nation never did. 

Chickasaw Freedmen were left with no country – not recognized as either tribal or American citizens.

The Choctaws granted citizenship to their freed people in 1885.

While four of the Five Civilized Tribes did enroll the Freedmen, they only disenrolled them later. 

The Cherokee and Seminole Nations do enroll Freedmen descendants. 

As of 2017, the Cherokee Nation enrolls and fully recognizes the rights of Freedmen descendants who have one or more direct traceable ancestry on the Dawes Roll and no blood quantum is required. (The Cherokee Nation removed “by blood” from its Constitution)

The Freedmen descendants of the Choctaw Nation have ancestry that is proven and documented, but they are still excluded from citizenship without meeting a blood quantum requirement. (The Choctaw has not removed blood quantum requirements for certain roles/rights) 

The Freedmen descendants of the Chickasaw Nation have ancestry that is proven and documented, but they are still excluded from citizenship. The nation broke the treaty and never extended citizenship to their former slaves. Today it is simply stated that without meeting a blood quantum requirement they cannot enroll. To apply for citizenship an individual must have a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB Card) verifying Chickasaw blood and connection to a Chickasaw ancestor on the Final Approved Rolls of the Dawes Commission. 

The Freedmen descendants of the Muscogee Creek Nation have ancestry that is proven and documented, but they are still excluded from citizenship unless an individual is Creek by Blood and trace back a direct ancestor listed on the 1906 Dawes Roll by issuance of birth and or death certificates. Th earlier “Old Series” Card did reflect blood quantum of many Freedmen but it is not used today for enrollment. 

The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma considers Freedmen descendants as enrolled tribal citizens (with proof of direct ancestor listed on the 1906 Dawes Roll, but does not extend them full citizenship rights.

Regardless of changes, there are many Freedmen descendants’ applications pending, waiting to be recognized as citizens of Native American tribes.

"The descendants of Freedmen of the Five Tribes have a richly documented history within these five nations. Many are working today to preserve this well documented history and telling the lost stories of a resilient population understudied in the history of Oklahoma and the western frontier." Angela Walton-Raji