Poarch Band of Creek Indians
| Total population |
|---|
| 2,340 (2006)[1] |
| Regions with significant populations |
 United States ( Alabama) |
| Languages |
| Religion |
|
Protestant, traditional beliefs |
| Related ethnic groups |
|
Other Muscogee Creek tribes[2] |
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians is the only federally recognized tribe of Native Americans in Alabama. Historically speaking the Muskogean language, they were formerly known as the Creek Nation East of the Mississippi. They are located mostly in Escambia County. They operate three gaming casinos and a hotel.
Contents |
[edit] History
The Poarch Band descends from Muscogee Creek Indians who sided with the United States in the Creek War of 1813–1814. Many Creeks remained in Alabama despite the Indian Removal Act of 1830.
They have lived in Alabama as a distinct community for the last two centuries.[3] The Poarch Band represents only some of the descendants of those who were not removed.
Over the decades, many Indians intermarried with African-American or European-American neighbors, and some descendants assimilated into those social and cultural groups.[4]
[edit] Tribal membership requirements
To be eligible to enroll in the tribe, people must be descended from the American Indians listed on the either of three roles: 1870 U.S. Census of Escambia County, Alabama; 1900 U.S. Census of Escambia County, Alabama; 1900 U.S. Special Indian Census of Monroe County, Alabama. Besides being of Muscogee Creek heritage, they must have a minimum blood quantum of 1/4 American Indian blood and not be enrolled in any other tribe to enroll in the tribe.[5]
[edit] Current status
The Poarch Creek Indian Reservation is located in southern Alabama near the city of Atmore, Alabama.[3] Their current tribal chairman is Buford L. Rolin[1] The tribe owns Poarch Creek Indian Gaming, which operates three casinos: Wind Creek Casino and Hotel in Atmore, Creek Casino Wetumpka (formerly Riverside Entertainment Center) in Wetumpka, and Creek Casino Montgomery (formerly Tallapoosa Entertainment Center) in Montgomery.[3]
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b "Culture." Poarch Band of Creek Indians. (retrieved 16 July 2010)
- ^ Littlefield and Parins 174
- ^ a b c "Welcome", Poarch Band of Creek Indians Website, 2005, retrieved 23 Feb 2009
- ^ Paredes, J. Anthony. "Federal Recognition and the Poarch Creek Indians" in Paredes, J. Anthony, ed. Indians of the Southeastern United States in the Late 20th Century (Tuscaloosa: The University of Alabama Press, 1992) pp. 120–121
- ^ "Constitution of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians." Native American Rights Fund. 1 June 1985 (retrieved 25 Nov 2010)
[edit] References
- Littlefield, Jr., Daniel F. and James W. Parins, ed. Encyclopedia of American Indian Removal. Santa Barbara, CA: Greenwood, 2011. ISBN 978-0-313-36041-1.
[edit] External links
- Poarch Band of Creek Indians Official Website
- Poarch Band of Creek Indians Tribal Code, National Indian Law Library
