MCN Supreme Court: “by blood” citizenship is unlawful

Written By: Jerrad Moore

(MUSCOGEE RESERVATION) The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Supreme Court has issued its order and opinion in SC-2023-10, Citizenship Board of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation v. Rhonda Grayson. The high court affirmed the district court’s decision in the case.

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According to the opinion:

The Court AFFIRMS the District Court’s September 27, 2023, Order and Opinion on Appeal from Citizenship Board of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Denial of Creek Freedmen Citizenship Applications, on grounds that the Appellant acted “contrary to law” when it failed to apply Article II of the Treaty of 1866, and denied the Respondents’ applications for citizenship solely for failure to trace to a lineal descendant on the Creek By-Blood Dawes Roll. Further, the Court finds that any reference to “by blood” citizenship in the 1979 Muscogee (Creek) Nation Constitution to be UNLAWFUL and VOID AB INITIO. The matter is REMANDED to the Appellant, Citizenship Board, who is directed to apply the Treaty of 1866 and issue citizenship to the Respondents, and any other future applicant who is able to establish a lineal descendant on the Creek By Blood Dawes Roll, or the Creek Freedmen Dawes Roll.

Mvskoke Media will have ongoing coverage of this developing story.