Welcome to the official page of the Choctaw-Chickasaw Freedmen Association.
New Book Release: Oklahoma Freedmen of the Five Tribes, written by Angela Y. Walton-Raji
Explore accounts of Oklahoma's Freedmen as told by their descendants in these stories of resistance and resilience on the Western frontier.
The Freedmen of Oklahoma were black people, both enslaved and free, who had been living among the Indian nations. After the official abolition of slavery in 1866, they forged an identity as their own people as they faced the challenges of the western frontier. By 1906, before Oklahoma statehood, over 20,000 people were classified as "Freedmen" from Five Tribes: Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek and Seminole Nations. For decades, their descendants have been rediscovering their family history and restoring its place in the larger narrative. Angela Walton-Raji has compiled this collection of stories, told by descendants from all five tribes, to ensure that the Freedmen of Oklahoma claim their vibrant part of the state's heritage.
Muscogee Creek Indian Freedmen Band News
The Choctaw Chickasaw Freedmen Association (CCFA) extends wishes of congratulations to the plaintiffs Rhonda Grayson, Jeff Kennedy, and Sharon Lindsey Scott for their recent court victory. This is a win for the entire Muscogee Creek Indian Freedmen Band (MCIFB). The members of CCFA were praying for your success, and we all watched the press conference the day after the decision was released and watched with pride and relished in the joy of your court victory!
As fellow descendants of Oklahoma Freedmen, we share similar histories, on the same soil, and although our own stuggles continue, we extend with great joy, a hearty congratulations to the plaintiffs, and to the legal team. CCFA admires the impressive honor to your ancestors that your struggle has displayed and hopefully your strategy will become a model for all Freedmen descendants to employ. "An injustice anywhere - is an injustice everywhere”.
Who We Are
Choctaw & Chickasaw Freedmen Association (CCFA)
Our group leadership is managed by descendants of documented African & African Native Americans of the Choctaw & Chickasaw Nations.
When the official Dawes Roll was established, our ancestors were segregated to Freedmen Roll.
For over 150 years, Freedmen in these communities have fought for their recognized status within their respective Nations. For Chickasaw Freedmen, the Treaty was broken so they were never citizenship as promised. For Choctaw Freedmen, 19 years after signing the Treaty, citizenship was granted. Today, descendants of both nations face racial discrimination and inequities that have not been reconciled.
CCFA is an association of advocacy and training that will develop and identify resources to those who are interested in gaining more knowledge about their Oklahoma-based Freedmen Ancestors.
Major focus will be on the contributions of Freedmen (including their ancestors), & the roles they played within the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations.
In addition, CCFA will explore the reasons for the omission of Freedmen history and the group will work to put this history properly on the pages of tribal history.
Plan of Action:
CCFA will educate through webinars, videos and publications.
CCFA will empower through workshops, and question and answer sessions
CCFA will engage members through regular online meetings.
CCFA will embrace the culture and history by studying, language, culture and history of the community from which they come.
“We must ensure federal funds are not used to perpetuate anti-blackness within the tribes”
The Plight of the Choctaw & Chickasaw Freedmen
Choctaw & Chickasaw Freedmen have always been integrated within the tribes. Prior to the Revolutionary War, labor from enslaved African and mixed Native American citizens contributed to the founding of both Native and United States territories.
Choctaw & Chickasaw Freedmen are documented within the tribal rolls, however they are have been written out of history Native Americans history.
As of today, the descendants of the Choctaw & Chickasaw Nations have ancestry that is proven & documented, but they are still excluded from full citizenship benefits.
“Choctaw & Chickasaw Freedmen are national treasures. These African-Native Americans are well documented within history.
Their contributions were essential to the original U.S. & Native American relations. They served within the army, held high profile jobs, but the history books have not properly documented their stories.
The Freedmen deserve honor, respect, and recognition.
When American history is told, the Freedmen & their ancestors should always be included in the narrative”.
Have you identified your Choctaw or Chickasaw Freedmen ancestor on the final rolls?
Get in touch with us.
Have questions about your family tree? Would you like to learn more?
For all general inquiries and questions please use the contact fields in this section.
