James....it is my understanding that being on that role would give this man the same enrollment rights as any one else who can trace their ancestral line back to the roll. I guess I would ask those on this list if they know if that is, or is not true. Perhaps this man was not familiar with what the "card carrying" entitles any member of any tribe (each being different by tribe, I would imagine....according to the laws of the tribe itself). My sketchy history on the freedman rolls is that at best "sketchy". To paraphase an article I read on the Creeks and their feelings about the Dawes....it seems that the US government was the perpetuator of the Dawes, in order to eventually make It A STATE....OKLAHOMA. It was the last ditch effort of the government to assimilate those tribes into the non-communal way of life, of the europeans (which had been unsuccessful so far). I would read "Of Snakes and Scribes" (an article written of the Creek sentiments about the Dawes.). The government said that the 5 Civilized Tribes (anglo terms for the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole....those who did the TOT) had to include the african american people, who traveled with them to OK, who had been enslaved by them, as members of the tribe. Hence the rolls were called "Freedman rolls". If anyone else can put more specifics to this.....or corrections....please do so. I would like to learn if there was a difference between those rights that folks have (membership), if they were on those freedman rolls....versus the other rolls. I do know that personally, that I have talked with individuals, who have the native/african american heritage, and that several have expressed, that it has been hard being accepted by the native tribe....as native. I know that was true of the caucasian/native american ancestry also....not by all...but by some. That appears to have gotten somewhat better....but I sense that there is more reluctance now of the african american/native. Once again, I do not speak in generalities....simply what I have seen, or heard of in my personal experience. I welcome all new sources of information and knowledge. jes