Code Switch Untangling the history of Black rights on Native land
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Feb 12, 2025 Allison Herrera, a Salinan journalist and senior reporter for APM Reports specializing in Indigenous affairs, dives deep into complex themes around Black rights on Native lands. She discusses the nuances of identity within the criminal justice system and the unique struggles of Black tribal citizens. The conversation spans the historical relationship between Black and Native communities, touching on issues like citizenship rights and ongoing legal battles shaped by recent Supreme Court rulings. Herrera's insights illuminate a forgotten narrative that challenges perceptions of sovereignty and justice.
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Michael Hill's Arrest
- Michael Hill, a Black Cherokee veteran and teacher, was arrested after an encounter with Okmulgee police.
- He spent four years fighting charges, arguing the county lacked jurisdiction due to his tribal citizenship.
Freedmen and Citizenship
- Some Native American nations, like the Five Tribes, also enslaved Black people.
- After the Civil War, treaties promised freedmen citizenship, but only the Cherokee Nation initially honored it.
The Dawes Act and Land Allotment
- The Dawes Act of 1887 aimed to divide tribal land for white settlers.
- To get land, individuals registered on the Dawes Rolls, a process often fraught with difficulties.