African Indians of the 5 Civilized Tribes Foundation

Will you help fight racism against blacks in Indian country? I Marilyn Vann, Cherokee citizen/tribal member, and President of African Indians  of the 5 Civilized Tribes Foundation and Descendants of freedmen association ask for your help  to raise legal funds for the Creek and Seminole tribal freedmen descendants to fight in  court against  discrimination, disenrollment and  2nd class citizenship in the case of Seminole freedmen  . Additionally, funds must continue to be raised to pay off outstanding legal bills incurred from the litigation from the 2 Federal Cherokee freedmen lawsuits which upheld the Cherokee freedmen 1866 treaty rights to citizenship. You can designate how you wish your funds to be designated (ie past Cherokee freedmen litigation, next phase of Seminole freedmen litigation, etc).  Appreciate your tax deducible donation for the cause in fighting racism, apartheid and protecting 1866 treaty rights of persons of African ancestry in Indian country.

Marilyn Vann,  Cherokee Nation citizen and President of Descendants of Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes Association; and Leeta Osborne Sampson, Councilwoman for the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and Cesar Bruner Band Chief -  will go to Washington DC in fall of 2015 to meet with public officials/staff, federal agency staff,  as well as Civil Rights leaders on issues important to the freedmen exercise of 1866 treaty rights.  We need YOUR help to fund this trip.

It is important for freedmen leaders to educate lawmakers as well as key people in federal agencies , the DC press,  and Civil rights leaders on 1866 freedmen treaty rights to citizenship in order to safeguard against lawmakers signing onto unfavorable legislation (whether in matters of  federal service access and or  judgment fund distribution) or regulatory bodies approving regulations, or user or distribution plans of moneys/funds which may harm the exercise of 1866 freedmen treaty rights out of ignorance.  

Because every few years, there are changes in elected leaders,  congressional staff, federal agency staff, and non profit Civil rights leadership, freedmen leaders and their supporters must "make the DC rounds" to keep the  freedmen cause before the media,, policy makers and civil rights leaders. Your donation will assist in making this trip happen.  Donations will be used for travel expenditures including hotel, plane, taxi, etc.

Current law and or current practice requires tribal consultations by  lawmaking bodies or regulatory agencies on laws/regulations/money distribution plans which impact tribes/tribal members/descendants of tribal members. However, there is no such requirement of consultation regarding impact on freedmen descendants .   It is up to the freedmen descendants and their supporters to "stay in the game and at the table" to protect exercise of 1866 treaty rights.   

Please donate TODAY to help this trip happen!. Donations may be made anonymously and are tax deductible. Wado! Mvto! Yakoke! Aho! Merci! Gracias! Thank you!

The documentary film "By Blood" about the 5 tribes freedmen will  be the opening film at the San Diego Black Film Festival on 1/29/2015.  Marilyn Vann and Attorney Jon Velie will travel to San Diego to attend the film festival and educate the public about the 1866 treaty rights of the freedmen tribal members by participating in a panel discussion on the freedmen issues that day .

 Your tax deductible donation will assist in travel costs for both Jon and Marilyn as well as  Jons legal fees.  We need financial  help to get the word out about the history of the freedmen and modern day tribal disenrollment issues. Your donation large or small is greatly appreciated.