DESCENDANT-FREEDMEN-ALLIANCE-B.fw_

DESCENDANT FREEDMEN ALLIANCE

of Kansas City

D.F.A.K.C. pronouced as "da Facts"
We set out to present the facts (DFAKC)

Treaty Signing Celebrations

What is the 1866 Treaty and Why is it Important?
…And who does it impact?

This peace treaty mainly affects Indians of the 5 civilized tribes, which are the Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw and Seminole. They were called civilized because they more readily took on the White man’s ways including holding Black people as slaves.  After the Indian removal act of 1830, these tribes were forcibly removed from their native lands in the Southeastern U.S.A. to travel the “trail of tears” to Indian Territory which is present day Oklahoma.  A number of Black people affiliated with these tribes, traveled with them.

When the Civil War started, the Union Army withdrew from Indian Territory. The Confederacy filled the void and the Indians signed pacts on the side of the South. There were still many Indians loyal to the North.

Upon defeat of the South by the North, these tribes being sovereign nations, had to each sign peace treaties with the U.S. Government. The significance for Black tribal constituents was that the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves under White rule (state freedmen), but had no power with those under Indian rule. Under the treaty of 1866, the Indians ceded land over, freed their slaves and were to take in their Black constituents as citizens with full citizenship rights and privileges.  Freedmen’s descendants are also impacted and included.

All Treaties Contained...

The 5 Tribes, each being sovereign nations, required different remedies in the treaty process that affected the African/Indians. However, there were some common factors that remained consistent in all treaties.

  • Amnesty for all crimes committed against the USA
  • Specific provisions of peace and friendship toward the USA
  • Notice that previous treaties were null and void
  • Acknowledgment of USA supremacy, its constitution and laws past, present and future Clause stating that no federal legislation could interfere with their tribal organization
  • Tribes provide land grants for railroad and telegraph construction

First…A little introduction to the D.F.A.K.C.

The DFAKC 1st Annual Treaty Signing event in 2016

The mission of the Descendant Freedmen Alliance of Kansas City is to promote awareness and education of and about people with African and Indian mixed ancestry or Freedmen.

We were born under the influence of the Muskogee Creek Indian Freedmen Band in 2015, and one of our main objectives is collaboration with Freedmen and Freedmen groups nationwide.

1866 Treaty Signing Events 2017 and 2018

As the organization grew, continuing the observation of the treaty celebration was important.

We also continued joining with other Freedmen groups, such as THE DESCENDANTS OF FREEDMEN OF THE FIVE CIVILIZED TRIBES. These meetings in Oklahoma have been instrumental to DFAKC’s development.

2017

2018

Treaty Articles Specifically About Freedmen

Article 9 - 1866 Cherokee Treaty

Article 9 August 11, 1866

1866 Cherokee Treaty

The Cherokee Nation having, voluntarily, in February, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, by an act of the national council, forever abolished slavery, hereby covenant and agree that never hereafter shall either slavery or involuntary servitude exist in their nation otherwise than in the punishment of crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, in accordance with laws applicable to all the members of said tribe alike. They further agree that all freedmen who have been liberated by voluntary act of their former owners or by law, as well as all free colored persons who were in the country at the commencement of the rebellion and are now residents therein, or who may return within six months, and their descendants, shall have all the rights of native Cherokees; Provided that owners of slaves so emancipated in the Cherokee Nation shall never receive any compensation or pay for the slaves so emancipated.

Article 2 - The Muscogee Creek Treaty

August 11, 1866

Article 2 of the Muscogee Creek Treaty

The Creeks hereby covenant and agree that henceforth neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, otherwise than in the punishment of crimes, whereof the parties shall have been duly convicted in accordance with laws applicable to all members of said tribe, shall ever exist in said nation; and inasmuch as there are among the Creek many persons of African descent, who have no interest in the soil it is stipulated that hereafter these person lawfully residing in said country under their laws and usages, or who have been thus residing in said country, and may return within one year from the ratification of this treaty, and their descendants and such others of the same race as may be permitted by the laws of the said nation to settle within the limits of the jurisdiction of the Creek Nation as citizens [thereof], shall have and enjoy all the rights and privileges of native citizens, including an equal interest in the soil and national funds and the laws of the said nation shall be equally binding upon and give protection to all such persons and all others, of whatsoever race or color, who may be adopted as citizens or members of said tribe.

Article 2 – Seminole Treaty of 1866

August 16, 1866

Article 2 – Seminole Treaty of 1866

The Seminole Nation covenant that henceforth in said nation slavery shall not exist nor involuntary servitude, except for and in punishment of crime, whereof the offending party shall first have been duly convicted in accordance with law applicable to all the members of said nation. And inasmuch as there among the Seminoles many persons of African descent and blood, who have no interest or property in the soil and no recognized civil rights it is stipulated that heretofore these persons and their descendants, and such other of the same race as shall be permitted by said nation to settled there, shall have and enjoy all the rights of native citizens, and the laws of said nation shall be equally binding upon all persons of whatever race or color who may be adopted as citizens or members of said tribe.

Article 2-Choctaw/Chickasaw 1866 Treaty

July 10, 1866

Article 2-Choctaw/Chickasaw 1866 Treaty

The Choctaws and Chickasaws hereby covenant and agree that henceforth neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, otherwise than in punishment of crime whereof the parties shall have been duly convicted in accordance with laws applicable to all members of the particular nation, shall ever exist in said nations.

We Need Your Help

Please purpose in your heart and mind to stand with the D.F.A.K.C. with  your Financial Donations and Support.  Contact us at freedmenkc@gmail.com or call direct to: (816) 674-8510.  

Thank You!