1865, as the Civil War ended, President Andrew Johnson designated a commission to travel to Fort Smith, Arkansas, to convene a council for the purpose of negotiating a new treaty with the Creek Nation. (11) The members of that commission declared that a treaty with the United States must contain certain stipulations, including that the institution of slavery, which has existed among several of the Tribes, must be forthwith abolished, and measures taken for the unconditional emancipation of all persons held in bondage, and for their incorporation into the Tribes on an equal footing with the original members, or suitably provided for. . (12) The Creek Nation’s 5-person delegation included both leaders of the Loyal Creeks and Southern Creeks. One of the members of the Loyal Creek delegation was an African Creek named Cow Tom. (13) The Creek Treaty of 1866 negotiations occurred between 1865 and 1866, first in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and then in Washington, DC. It was in Washington, DC, where the Treaty was signed and upon the signing of the 1866 Treaty the United States reestablished official relations with the Creek Nation. (14) The Creek Treaty of 1866 became the foundational legal document of the Creek Nation and established the Creek Nation as it is known today. (15) The Creek Treaty of 1866 declared that the Black Creeks, also known as Creek Freedmen , were to be made citizens of the Creek Nation and to have all the rights of other Creeks Citizens. (16) Article II of the Creek Treaty of 1866 provides in pertinent part: [I]nasmuch as there are among the Creek many persons of African descent … it is stipulated that hereafter these persons, lawfully residing in said Creek country, under their laws and usages, or who have been thus residing in said country, and may return within one year from the ratification of this treaty, and their descendants and such others of the same race as may be permitted by the laws of said Nation to settle within the limits of the jurisdiction of the Creek Nation as citizens [thereof],