The historic Supreme Court decision in the summer of 2020, when the court ruled that much of Eastern Oklahoma comes under the Major Crimes Act and still retains Native reservation status, relied heavily on the significance of the 1866 Treaty which grants Creek Freedmen full citizenship status in the Creek Nation. This panel discusses the significance of the court’s ruling in relation to Freedmen activists and community members seeking restoration of their tribal citizenship. Craig Womack, Emory University Professor of English, moderates a panel that includes:
- Marilyn Vann, President of the Descendants of the Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes Association
- Activist Eli Grayson, who is descended from people on both the Creeks by Blood roll and the Creek Freedmen roll and was recognized for his community service as former President of the California Creek Association when he was inducted into the tribe's Muscogee Creek Hall of Fame.
- Oklahoma attorney John Parris, who has long been an advocate and adviser for Freedmen claims and is currently researching the relevance of the Major Crimes Act and the McGirt decision in relation to the Freedmen.
