Alabama–Coushatta Tribe of Texas

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Alabama–Coushatta Tribe of Texas
Albaamaha–Kosaatihaha
Albaamoha–Kowassaatiha
Flag of Alabama–Coushatta Tribe of Texas
Alabama–Coushatta Reservation is located in Texas
Alabama–Coushatta Reservation
Alabama–Coushatta Reservation
Location in Texas
Coordinates: 30°42′49.89″N 94°40′22.97″W / 30.7138583°N 94.6730472°W / 30.7138583; -94.6730472
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyPolk
Established1854
Government
 • TypeTribal council
 • ChiefDonnis B. Battise
 • Tribal Council ChairmanRick Sylestine
 • Tribal Council
Council Members
  • Nita Battise
  • Yolanda Poncho
  • Ronnie Thomas
  • Rolando Poncho
  • David Battise
  • Melanie Battise
Area
 • Total4,593.7 acres (1,859.0 ha)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total679
 • Density95/sq mi (37/km2)
Central Daylight Time)
Area code936
Websitehttps://www.alabama-coushatta.com
[1][2][3]
Smaller sign at the Alabama–Coushatta Reservation east of Livingston, Texas

The Alabama–Coushatta Tribe of Texas (

Southeastern U.S.
, particularly Georgia and Alabama.

They are one of three

tribes in Texas.[4] As of 2022, the tribe has over 1,200 members with 589 residing on the Texas reservation.[5]

History

They are one of eight federally recognized tribes whose members are descended from the

Seminole Indian
Nation in Florida also includes a large percentage of descendants of the Creek Confederacy who relocated there and merged with another tribe.

Under pressure from European American settlement, the ancestors of this tribe were Alabama and Coushatta peoples who migrated from Alabama and the Southeast into Louisiana and finally East Texas when it was under Spanish rule in the late 18th century. They settled in an area known as Big Thicket and adapted their culture to the environment of forest and waters.[6]

When the area began to be settled by European Americans from the United States, the tribes established friendly relations and traded with the new settlers. Sam Houston helped protect them during years of conflicts with other Native Americans in the area. After the annexation of Texas by the United States, settlement increased and the tribes were under pressure again. They appealed to the state to have land set aside for their exclusive use.[6]

Termination efforts

As part of the

Alabama–Coushatta Indian Reservation
.

On 22 March 1983, Texas Attorney General

Ronald D. Coleman of Texas introduced a federal bill on 28 February 1985 to restore federal jurisdiction for the tribe.[9] Because the initial bill HR 1344 allowed gambling, amendments were made and the Yselta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama and Coushatta Indian Tribes of Texas Restoration Act was reintroduced as HR 318.[10] Public Law 100–89, 101 STAT. 666 was enacted 18 August 1987 and restored the federal relationship with the tribe. Section 207 (25 U.S.C. § 737) [1] specifically prohibits all gaming activities prohibited by the laws of the state of Texas.[11]

Both the Alabama and Koasati languages are Muskogean languages.[6]

Reservation

The Alabama–Coushatta Reservation was established in 1854,[12] when the state bought 1,110.7 acres (449.5 ha) of land for the Alabama Indian reservation. About 500 tribe members settled on this land during the winter of 1854–55. In 1855, the Texas legislature appropriated funds to purchase 640 acres (260 ha) for the Coushattas" but never followed through.[6] The Coushatta began to live with the Alabama on their reservation.

They acquired more land, so the reservation is 4,593.7 acres (1,859.0 ha), located 17 miles (27 km) east of Livingston, Texas in the Big Thicket area.[6][13]

Demographics

As of the 2020, the reservation comprises a total population of 679 individuals. Of those individuals, 86.7% (589) are American Indian, 8.2% (56) are Hispanic or Latino, 6.4% (44) identify as two or more races, 5.5% (38) are White, 0.88% identify as some other race, and 0.14% (1) are African American or Black. The reservation has a young population, with 42.3% under the age of 18 in contrast to 4.5% over the age of 65.[5]

Economically, 65.9% of the population is employed. The average household earning is $49,219, which is over $10,000 less than the national average, and 17.2% live in poverty, 8.6% higher than the national average. Additionally, 11.4% of the population has a bachelor's degree or higher, 36.5% of the total population having only a high school degree or equivalent. Of the total population, 38.5% does not have at-home internet, which is 11.5% higher than the national average of 14.5%.[5]

The homeownership rate on the reservation is 76.3%, which is 10.9% higher than the national average of 65.4%.[5]

Environment

The tribe has its own wildland fire department and land management program that uses fire suppression tactics to manage the woodlands on their tribal land. This is particularly important for the longleaf pine trees that have been used by the tribe and their ancestors for basketry and home building for centuries.[14] According to The Nature Conservancy, 95% of longleaf pine forests have been lost in the region. Longleaf pines are dependent on fire to seed and grow. The Nature Conservancy funded the tribe to buy equipment and participate in training for wildland management. As a result, they manage the over 200 acres (81 ha) of pine trees they planted in 2012 and the additional 200 acres (81 ha) of older growth trees.[13]

Government

The Alabama–Coushatta Tribe of Texas is headquartered in Livingston, Texas. They operate as a tribal council, with a Principal Chief and Chief serving as advisors to an elected tribal council comprising a Chair, Vice chair, and five additional members.[2] The tribe's constitution and by-laws were adopted on June 16, 1971.[15]

As of 2023, the tribal chiefs and council members are as follows:[2]

  • Principal Chief: Donnis B. Battise
  • Second Chief: Millie Thompson Williams
  • Council member: Rick Sylestine, Tribal Council Chairman
  • Council member: Nita Battise, Vice-chair
  • Council member: Melanie Batisse, Secretary
  • Council member: Ronnie Thomas, Treasurer
  • Council member: Tina Battise, member
  • Council member: Yolanda Poncho, member
  • Council member: Crystal Stephenson, member

Principal Chief Donnis B. Batisse was inaugurated as Mikko Choba or Principal Chief on January 1, 2023. Millie Thompson Williams was inaugurated as Mikko Istimatokla or Second Chief/Vice Chief on January 1, 2023. She is the first female to serve as Second Chief for the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe. [2]

Economy

Both the peoples struggled after the Civil War, as few spoke English and they had difficulty finding jobs.

LLC.[1] The tribe also has a 26-acre campground open to the public located on Lake Tombigbee.[1] The reservation also includes a truck stop, smoke shop, and a souvenir shop.[6]

Naskila Casino

The casino comprises over 790

amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court to ensure their rights to operate bingo halls on their reservations. The Supreme Court agreed to review the case on their docket in October 2022.[17]

Culture

In 1994, ground was broken for the now open Alabama–Coushatta Cultural Center.[6] In April 2022, the tribe broke ground on the 49,000 square foot Aati Imaabachi Imiisa Education Center to house the education department, library, a gym, play areas, and youth education programs.[18]

The reservation has two churches, a Christian First Assembly of God church and a First Indian Presbyterian church.[6]

Each June, the reservation hosts a powwow.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Alabama-Coushatta Tribe History". Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d "Government". Alabama–Coushatta Tribe of Texas. February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  3. ^ Martin, Howard N. (September 29, 2020). "Alabama–Coushatta Indians". Handbook of Texas. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  4. ^ "Federally recognized tribes: Texas". National Conference of State Legislatures. Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d "Decennial Census". data.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Howard N. Martin, "Alabama–Coushatta Indians." Handbook of Texas Online, uploaded 9 June 2010, retrieved 26 May 2013.
  7. ^ "Public Law ch. 831, §1, 68 Stat. 768". US Code. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  8. ^ "Mattox Opinion No. JM-17". Archived from the original on 19 January 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  9. ^ "All Info - H.R.1344 - 99th Congress (1985-1986): Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama and Coushatta Indian Tribes of Texas Restoration Act - Congress.gov - Library of Congress". September 25, 1986.
  10. ^ McArthur, Narcissa. "From Termination to Restoration". Weebly.com. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  11. ^ "Text of H.R. 318 (100th): Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama and Coushatta Indian Tribes of Texas Restoration ... (Passed Congress/Enrolled Bill version) - GovTrack.us". GovTrack.us.
  12. pp. 363–4
  13. ^ a b "Ensuring a Legacy of Longleaf". The Nature Conservancy. March 30, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  14. ^ Ramakrishnan, Adithi (July 24, 2023). "Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas uses fire to save a tree that's part of its identity". Dallas News. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  15. ^ "Constitution and By Laws" (PDF). Alabama–Coushatta Tribe of Texas. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  16. ^ Raissi, Sharon (September 3, 2021). "Judge rules that Alabama–Coushatta Tribe can continue their East Texas gaming facility". KETK.com. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  17. ^ Dick, Jacob (December 14, 2021). "Texas' Alabama–Coushatta tribe joins Supreme Court tribal gaming lawsuit". Beaumont Enterprise. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  18. ^ "Alabama–Coushatta Tribe of Texas breaks ground at site of Education Center". Bluebonnet News. April 13, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022.

Further reading

External links