Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama facts for kids

The Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama (CTNEAL) is a group of people in Alabama who are recognized by the state as a Native American tribe. This means the state government officially acknowledges them. They used to be called the Cherokees of Jackson County.

The CTNEAL has about 3,000 members. Most of these members live in Alabama. The tribe works with groups like the Alabama Indian Affairs Commission. However, the United States government does not recognize them as a tribe. Other Cherokee groups, like the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Cherokee Nation, do not consider the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama to be an official tribe.

How the Tribe is Organized

The CTNEAL has over 3,000 members. They have a special set of rules called a constitution. This constitution guides how the tribe is led and how members should act.

The tribe chooses its leaders through elections every four years. These leaders include a Principal Chief and two Vice Chiefs. They also elect a Tribal Council.

The CTNEAL is part of the National Congress of American Indians. This is a large group that works for the rights of Native Americans. Larry Smith from Pinson, Alabama, is currently the Principal Chief of the CTNEAL.

Members of the CTNEAL believe they are descendants of the Cherokee people. Because they are a state-recognized tribe, their members can join groups like the National Congress of American Indians. They can also sell their art and crafts as being made by Native Americans. This is allowed under a law called the 1990 Indian Arts and Crafts Act. However, they do not receive special benefits from the federal government.

A Nonprofit Group

In 1980, the Cherokees of Jackson County started as a nonprofit organization. A nonprofit group uses its money to help people or for a good cause, not to make a profit.

The group changed its name legally in 1983 and again in 1997. It was first known as the Cherokees of Jackson County. As more people joined, the group changed its name to the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama. This new name showed that their members lived in a larger area.

Asking for Federal Recognition

In 1981, the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama told the government they wanted to be recognized by the United States. This is called federal recognition. However, the tribe has not yet sent in all the paperwork needed to complete this request.

What the Tribe Does

The CTNEAL and its nonprofit group are involved in many activities. They offer services and events for their community. These activities include:

• Community gatherings
• School programs
• Art shows and demonstrations
• Health information sessions
• Other Native American cultural events

These events happen both in Alabama and in other states.

Who Can Join the Tribe?

To become a member of the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama, you must show that you have Cherokee ancestors. The tribe welcomes anyone who can prove they are directly related to a Cherokee person. They do not require a certain amount of Cherokee ancestry (often called "blood quantum").

Besides having Cherokee ancestors, potential members must also meet a residency rule. You need to meet at least one of these three requirements:

• Live in the state of Alabama.
• Live within 500 miles of Pinson, Alabama.
• Be a descendant of a CTNEAL member who lived in Alabama or within that 500-mile area.

See also

• Alabama Indian Affairs Commission
• Cherokee heritage groups
• Native American identity in the United States
• National Congress of American Indians