Strange. The slaves were freed under US federal law and got US citizens rights. Why should they be allowed citizenship and voting rights in the Cherokee Nation issues if they don’t have a blood relative listed on the census at the time of the treaty? Membership in the Nation is by blood right, not by federal law.
Both my children have membership based on their great grandmother’s census roll number and they are the last in our line that will be able to claim it because of their mixed blood.
Then they lost the war.
The United States took mercy on the Cherokee and signed a treaty with them that REQUIRED the Cherokee to give their former black slaves the same rights as other tribal members.
In thanks for having been allowed to exist as a nation from that time forward the Cherokee decided to turn their backs on that treaty and the promises they agreed to and kick out the black Cherokees.
The proper response for the United States is to disestablish the NON-BLACK Cherokee government and tribal membership, and give it all to the black Cherokee. Maybe they can figure out who's a member and who's not (a little better).
Remember, when it comes to war losers gots to pay!