Black Creek Citizens Sue in Federal Court to Enforce Muscogee Nation Supreme Court Ruling
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — July 23, 2026 — One year after the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Supreme Court unanimously affirmed the citizenship rights of Black Creeks, Rhonda K. Grayson and Jeffrey D. Kennedy have filed a federal lawsuit alleging that tribal officials are refusing to obey the ruling.
On July 23, 2025, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Supreme Court ruled that the Citizenship Board acted “contrary to law” when it denied Grayson and Kennedy citizenship because their ancestors appeared on the Creek Freedmen Roll rather than the Creek “by-blood” Roll. The court held that the Treaty of 1866 guarantees Creeks of African descent and their descendants the same citizenship rights as other Creek citizens.
The complaint alleges tribal officials Principal Chief David Hill, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Citizenship Board, and its individual membershave acted beyond their lawful authority by withholding citizenship cards and obstructing implementation of the Treaty and the court’s final judgment. Plaintiffs are seeking declaratory and injunctive relief.
“We won in the Nation’s highest court, but one year later we are still being treated as though the judgment never happened,” said Grayson, chairwoman and band leader of the Muscogee Creek Indian Freedmen Band. “A right that exists only on paper is not justice.”
“Our children should inherit their citizenship, not this fight,” said Kennedy, vice chair of the Muscogee Creek Indian Freedmen Band. “We are doing what our ancestors did before us: demanding that the Nation honor its word.”
“This case is part of a broader assault on Black rights, Black history and Black life,” said Damario Solomon-Simmons, president and chief legal counsel of Justice For Greenwood and lead counsel for the plaintiffs. “The pattern is familiar: erase our contributions, deny our rights and withhold the resources those rights provide. Black people should not have to win the same rights twice. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s highest court ruled unanimously. We are now asking a federal court to force Chief David Hill to obey the Treaty of 1866, the court’s judgment, and the laws of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.”
“The legitimacy of any judicial system depends on whether its final judgments are obeyed,” said Jana Knott of Bass Law. “The Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s highest court ruled clearly and unanimously. Government officials cannot treat that decision as optional.”
Lauren Briggerman of Squire Patton Boggs added, “We are pleased to represent our clients in this action to enforce a court ruling issued one year ago affirming the right of Muscogee Creek Freedmen to full tribal citizenship. It is unfortunate that, one year after that clear ruling, our clients still have not received their citizenship cards and remain unable to fully exercise the privileges of tribal citizenship, including the right to vote. This lawsuit seeks to ensure that the court’s decision is finally implemented and that our clients receive the benefits and protections to which they are entitled.”
The litigation could affect more than 100,000 Black Creek descendants nationwide and their access to voting, housing, health care, education, business assistance and other rights and benefits tied to citizenship.
The plaintiffs and their legal team will discuss the federal lawsuit during a press conference today, the one-year anniversary of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Supreme Court’s landmark decision.
Press Conference: 2PM CDT
Location: Crowe & Dunlevy, Braniff Building located at 324 N Robinson Avenue, Suite 100, Oklahoma City, OK, 73102
Speakers: Rhonda K. Grayson, Jeffrey D. Kennedy, Attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons, Attorney Jana Knott, Attorney Lauren Briggerman, and Attorney Brenda Golden
Livestream: Justice For Greenwood's YouTube
Media RSVP:Media@JusticeForGreenwood.org
Read the federal complaint: here
Read the July 23, 2025 decision: here
ABOUT GREENWOOD
Greenwood, most revered for “Black Wall Street” was co-founded by Black Creeks—it became one of the most prosperous, organized, and successful Black communities in United States history, and a place for Black people to escape the political, economic, and social oppression of southern lawmakers post-civil war.
ABOUT JUSTICE FOR GREENWOOD
Justice for Greenwood (JFG) is a 501(c)(3) organization advocating for reparatory justice for the communities historically harmed by racial violence and economic exploitation, grounded in the belief that true democracy cannot occur until full rights and redress are secured.