To the Lawmakers of the United States of America
The Freedmen and freedmen descendents were adopted by the tribes to comply with the treaties. Freedmen and Descendents of the freedmen of the 5 tribes were separately listed on the Dawes Rolls from other tribal citizens (who were "full bloods)" or were mixed bloods (Indian and Caucasian mixture), whom were listed on "Indian by blood " rolls, in which an Indian blood degree was listed. Again, we emphasize that many of these Freedmen descendents did have Indian blood, although blood degrees were not listed on the Dawes freedmen rolls .
At the present time, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) refuses to issue certificate of Indian blood (CDIB) cards to Freedmen descendents, which are required to participate in BIA administered programs. Furthermore, the 5 tribes, in violation of the 1866 treaties, have passed tribal constitutions and tribal acts which specifically require potential enrollees to provide CDIB cards prior to enrollment and or specifically allow the enrollment of only those descended from the Dawes "blood rolls".
We call on lawmakers to pass legislation which will establish a blood quantum of "full blood " equivalent to those freedmen descendents whom are listed on the Dawes Rolls of the 5 tribes for purposes of the US government. Furthermore, we call on the US government to not recognize those tribal governments which currently refuse to allow the enrollment and which do not allow participation in tribal elections for the descendents of those tribal citizens who were listed on the Freedmen rolls by the Dawes Commission and for the BIA to directly administer tribal programs for these illegal tribal governments..
Print Name Signature Address/ZIP Phone number
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Please return signed Petition to:
Descendants of Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes Association
PO Box 42221
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73123
For more information, please contact freedmen5nations@yahoo.com