The Estelusti Foundation for the past ten years has brought the history and genealogy of Indian Territory Freedmen to the Public's attention. We continue our dedication to assist researchers discover the unique history of Black among the Five Civilized Tribes known as the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek (Muscogee) and Seminole Nations. http://estelusti.com/estelustifoundation.html en-us estelusti@aol.com 1999-2009 Information concerning the Edmund HUMDY family has been uploaded. The HUMDY'S were complainants on Equity Case 7071. The Dawes enrollment card # 619 excerpt is available along with a portrait of Edmund Humdy courtesy of his descendant, Julia POWERS. http://estelusti.com/edhumdy#619.html 26 Sep 2009 20:16:11 GMT estelusti@aol.com Ed JOHNSON and his family were complainants listed on Equity Case 7071 and seeking transfer to the Chickasaw by blood roll from the Chickasaw freedmen roll. http://estelusti.com/johnson,ed.chif#618.html 26 Sep 2009 20:20:55 GMT estelusti@aol.com The list of complainants involved with "Bettie's List" have been completed! There are 15 pages of complainants forming the approximately 2,000 individuals who demanded their rights as citizens in the nations of their birth. These men, women and children all had an ancestor or parent who was Choctaw or Chickasaw Indian, which should have entitled them to citizenship and 320 acres of land. http://estelusti.com/bettieslist.html 26 Sep 2009 20:23:28 GMT estelusti@aol.com September 18, 1875 nine years following the Civil War Congress continues to negotiate a settlement to the issue of the Chickasaw Nation adopting their former slaves as citizens in the nation of their birth. http://estelusti.com/vindicatorsept18,1875.html 27 Sep 2009 11:19:47 GMT estelusti@aol.com During the Depression the Federal Writers Project interviewed former slaves which included many from Indian Territory. It is important for Indian Territory Freedmen researchers to become familiar with this body of work for its rich contribution to American, African and Native American History. http://estelusti.com/indianpioneerpapers.html 27 Sep 2009 17:44:00 GMT estelusti@aol.com Addition of Simmion LAMEY and family to Bettie's List. Check out the photo of Tippie LAMAY courtesy of Carlotta WHEELER! 12 Oct 2009 22:31:21 GMT Bettie's List estelusti@aol.com In the Fall 2009 edition of the Greater Southwest History Museum an article appears highlighting the recent exhibition of photographic images and documentation that illustrates the contributions of formerly enslaved people of African and African-Native American ancestry who lived in the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations. http://estelusti.com/record,%20preserve%20&%20publish.html 15 Oct 2009 10:32:28 GMT Estelusti Foundation estelusti@aol.com A new page showcasing the video production work of the Chahta lusa (Black Choctaw) Video Projects. With the use of today's technology and the internet we are able to create videos depicting the history of the Indian Territory Freedmen. http://estelusti.com/page96.html 21 Oct 2009 18:21:12 GMT Estelusti Foundation estelusti@aol.com House Miscellaneous Document 46, (42nd Congress, 2nd Session) is a memorial sent to Congress by Choctaw and Chickasaw Freedmen who sought to be removed from Indian Territory if they were not adopted as citizens in the nation of their birth. This is one of the earliest documents to demonstrate the freedmen sought to take control of their lives following slavery and were willing to leave everything and everyone they knew "voluntarily" to live on land they could develop instutions for their familiy's. http://estelusti.com/h.m.d.46(42-2).html 21 Oct 2009 21:40:37 GMT The Congressional Record estelusti@aol.com Senate Document is from the Congressional Record "Serial Set" and depicts the "Loyal Seminole" Bands and members in 1899. The document is significant because it list the Jim Lane Band with Caesar Bruner as a member. When many so called Seminole Freedmen enrolled for their allotment with the Dawes Commission, they were listed as members of the Caesar Bruner Band. http://estelusti.com/s.d.72(55-3).html 22 Oct 2009 00:20:32 GMT The Congressional Record estelusti@aol.com This weeks news articles that were written prior to Oklahoma statehood. The articles illustrate the culture and politics of Indian Territory and their effect on the formerly enslaved people of African and African-Native American descent. http://estelusti.com/twit.html 22 Nov 2009 23:37:51 GMT This Week In Indian Territory estelusti@aol.com The women and men who were formerly enslaved by the so called Five Civlized Tribes have contributed to the history of Indian Territory and the state of Oklahoma. Their story, individually and colectively must be told for an accurate picture of the life and times of pre-state Oklahoma. We hope to captue and convey this legacy by bringing their story to the public's attention. http://estelusti.com/vignettesindianterritory.html 25 Nov 2009 12:03:10 GMT Indian Territory Vignettes estelusti@aol.com He was a Civil War Soldier, a wealthy owner of livestock, and today a band in the Seminole Nation bears his name. Read about the latest addition to "Vignettes of Indian Territory." http://estelusti.com/caesarbruner.html 06 Dec 2009 15:40:52 GMT Indian Territory Vignettes estelusti@aol.com New addition to "This Week In Indian Territory." http://estelusti.com/twit.html 13 Dec 2009 15:17:24 GMT This Week in Indian Territory estelusti@aol.com New addition to the feature, "Vignettes of Indian Territory." http://estelusti.com/lymanroberts.html 13 Dec 2009 15:18:48 GMT Vignettes of Indian of Indian Territory estelusti@aol.com An oral interview with a Choctaw Freedwoman who was the daughter of enslaved parents. She gives an insightful view of life in Indian Territory before Oklahoma statehood and on a personal note, mentions my great grandfather Matt FREEMAN in her interview. http://estelusti.com/marthajacksonpart1.html 02 Jan 2010 02:08:07 GMT Indian Pioneer Papers estelusti@aol.com