Gavel to Gavel: Understanding tribal legal systems increasingly important
Hilary Hudson Clifton
The Cherokee Nation Supreme Court recently ruled that the words “by blood” must be removed from the tribe’s constitution – a decision intended to afford full citizenship rights to descendants of individuals formerly enslaved by members of the tribe, known as Freedmen. The opinion is one of many recent examples demonstrating how Oklahoma’s intricate and often ugly history has led to the unique cultural and legal landscape in the state today. Practitioners need to be aware of both the history and trends to successfully guide clients.
Of course, the most notable piece of news from Indian Country in Oklahoma over the past year has been the U.S. Supreme Court decision in