A group of Seminole Nation tribal members, all descendants of slaves known as Freedmen, claim they were denied a COVID-19 vaccine at the Indian Health Services (IHS) Clinic in Wewoka.

LeEtta Osborne-Sampson and Anthony Conley told a news outlet in Oklahoma City that the clinic refused to give them the vaccine because they are identified as “Freedmen” on their tribal cards. Freedmen were established as full tribal citizens in 2003 after a series of lawsuits.

Greg Chilcoat, Chief of the Seminole Nation, said the tribe is not denying anyone access to the vaccine.

“The United States Indian Health Service is the entity in charge of administering Covid-19 vaccinations to the Seminole Nation, and it is the Nation’s understanding that such vaccine dissemination is being administered entirely consistent with federal law and policy in providing such vaccinations,” Chilcoat said in a statement released Thursday afternoon. “Any allegation that the Seminole Nation is denying access of the Covid-19 vaccine to a group of people is entirely false.”

IHS officials confirmed in a statement that Freedmen are among those who are offered the vaccine at the Wewoka clinic.

“The IHS Wewoka Service Unit provides health care services to the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and other American Indians and Alaska Natives. To support community immunity, the Wewoka Service Unit is currently providing COVID-19 vaccines to American Indians and Alaska Natives, their household members/ caregivers, and all other members of the local community, who are 18 years and older, within available vaccine supply. This includes Freedmen of the Seminole Nation who reside in the local community,” IHS officials said.

The Wewoka clinic announced earlier this month that it would provide COVID-19 vaccines to both Native American and non-Indian adults. To schedule an appointment, call one of the following numbers: (405) 551-1855, (405) 257-7330,7319, (405) 257-(405) 257-7520, or (405) 257-7366.

The vaccines are available Monday - Friday. The clinic is located at 36640 Highway 270 and Barking Waters Road in Wewoka.