MVSKOKE NATION – Indian Country just reached an important milestone in Native Americans’ struggle for rights and sovereignty. It has been 100 years almost to the day since the Indian Citizenship Act, also known as the Snyder Act, was passed into law. A century ago, on June 2, 1924, Native Americans born within the territory of the United States of America were granted full citizenship.
Although the rights of Native Americans, including Muscogee (Creek) citizens, would take decades to be fully recognized, it still marks a momentous occasion. Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief David Hill shared a statement on his Facebook page regarding the centennial.
“Our people have been key figures throughout the history of the United States from influencing the principles of American democracy, to defending the nation through our exemplary history of military service. The long overdue granting of citizenship to the original inhabitants of this land was merely one more step on the road to equity for Native people.” Chief Hill said in a post on Facebook commemorating the event.
Chief Hill continued to elaborate on this, as he explained that in some ways, the fight for Indigenous sovereignty and freedom still is not over, even 100 years later. “Yet, this was not the end of our fight for our place here as we would not have the right to vote for another 38 years after the Act passed and still today, we have to fight for our sovereignty and the promise of our territories and the jurisdiction over them with a Governor that looks to suppress us at every turn.” Chief Hill said.
Although Native Americans received the right to American citizenship in 1924, it would take, as Chief Hill stated, another 38 years for Muscogee (Creek) citizens to fully receive the right to vote in 1962. This road was not an easy one, with numerous challenges appearing along the way to voting rights guaranteed to all tribal citizens.
It has taken decades for Native Americans to enjoy the rights and privileges they enjoy today. Although the Synder Act passed over a century ago, many tribal leaders like Chief Hill agree that June 2 is a date worth commemorating.
See Principal Chief Hill’s full statement on Facebook.
