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Muscogee Court Opens Tribal Citizenship for Enslaved Descendants

7/27/2025

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Summary

Story summary

In a landmark decision, the Muscogee Nation Supreme Court has opened the door to tribal citizenship for Rhonda Grayson and Jeffrey Kennedy, descendants of enslaved ancestors. This ruling challenges the 2019 denial by the citizenship board and abolishes restrictive "by blood" language, paving the way for thousands more to reclaim their rightful place in the tribe.

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Story summary

In a landmark decision, the Muscogee Nation Supreme Court has opened the door to tribal citizenship for Rhonda Grayson and Jeffrey Kennedy, descendants of enslaved ancestors. This ruling challenges the 2019 denial by the citizenship board and abolishes restrictive "by blood" language, paving the way for thousands more to reclaim their rightful place in the tribe.