There will probably be no decision made in the case. The nation has reorganized itself with elections for a new Principal Chief and last year's crisis when there was a suspension of all court issues. With the affairs of the nation having been in such dissarray if there is ever a decision made it will come as a surprise. Hopefully for the plaintiff who is an elderly lady it may come during her lifetime.

Interestingly I met the plaintiff this summer who is clearly a woman in Cherokee ancestry. In addition her family documents and family history also support this. Her grandfather was fathered by one of the Rogers (prominent Cherokee family) slave owners and he served with the Indian Home Guards in the Civil War. The family was given citizenship in the nation and both parents and grandparents were admitted through the Dawes Commission.

If you are interested in the petition you may send me an email request to AngelaW859@aol.com with mailing address information and I can send you a summary of the case.

[8 Oct 1999]