Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes

The Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes refers to formerly enslaved individuals of African descent who were emancipated by the Five Civilized Tribes—Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole—in the 19th century. These tribes, located in the southeastern United States, adopted some aspects of European-American culture and had slave systems. After the Civil War, the U.S. government recognized the Freedmen’s rights, leading to their inclusion in tribal citizenship and governance. However, they often faced legal and social challenges regarding their status within these tribes, particularly concerning land rights and equal treatment.