The Descendants of Freedmen
Association’s 4th annual conference was held at the University
of Oklahoma on June 3, 2006. The program began as Conference
chairperson; Ms. Rhonda Grayson welcomed attendees and
introduced Ms. Beverly J. Glover, Mistress of Ceremonies.
Ms. Glover is a former television news anchor in the Oklahoma
City market; she has been involved with numerous local and
national community organizations, and is currently employed by
York-Johnson Controls as an HR Manager.
Vice President Ronald Graham opened the conference with an
inspirational prayer that set the stage for a great conference.
Ms. Glover introduced the following board members of the
Descendants of Freedmen Association: Marilyn Vann, President;
Ronald Graham, Vice-President; Gail Jackson, Treasurer; Rhonda
Grayson, Conference Chair; Cathi Hughes, Membership chair;
Sharon Lindsey Scott, Secretary and the newest member of the
board is Mr. Jeffrey Kennedy.
Dr. Theda Perdue opened the general session and presented on
Indians in the segregated south. Her presentation was
entitled "Indians and the Segregation in the deep South".
Attorney Jon Velie updated conference goers on the status of the
Cherokee Freedmen lawsuit, and the impact that this case will
have on other tribal lawsuits.
The Storyteller and entertainer Mr. Wallace Moore delighted
conference goers with his enactment of "The History of the Negro
Scouts of the West."
Vice President Ronald Graham and Gail Jackson are
professional Genealogist with more 20 years of experience, who
presented genealogy tips as well as presenting documentation
that legally support the claim that the Descendants of Freedmen
should be allowed to take their rightful place in history, and
be readmitted into the tribes in which many of their ancestors
were interpreters, and served on the tribal councils.
Other speakers included Dr. Barbara Krauthamer, a Professor
at New York University, her presentation was entitled "Imagining
African Americans in Indian Territory: Evidence and Absence".
Dr. Daniel F. Littlefield Jr., University of Arkansas,
presentation was entitled "Juneteenth and August 4: Political
Rally Days in Indian Territory".
President Marilyn Vann spoke about the mission of the
organization and the importance of everyone getting involved,
and she wanted the attendees to understand that this fight is
about all the Descendants of Freedmen.
It is the goal of the Descendants of Freedmen Association to
feature a student at its annual conference, and the
2006-featured Graduate student was Kristy Feldhousen from the
University of Oklahoma. Kristy’s presentation was entitled
"Living Freedmen Histories: Present-day Freedmen communities in
Oklahoma". The final speaker of the hour was Mr. David
Cornsilk; He spoke on the Constitutional and civil rights of
ethnic minorities of the Cherokee Nation.
Mr. Wallace Moore concluded the conference with part II of
his interpretation of the History of the Negro Scouts of the
West.
