Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama facts for kids
| Formation | 1995 |
|---|---|
| Founded at |  United States(  Alabama) |
| Type | P84: Ethnic, Immigrant Centers and Service Providers |
| Registration no. | EIN: 63-1142216 |
| Headquarters | Falkville, Alabama |
|
Official language
|
English |
|
Chief
|
Dennis Wooten |
|
Vice Chief
|
Rita Majors |
|
Revenue (2020)
|
$35,925 |
| Expenses (2020) | $45,089 |
|
Staff
|
0 full-time |
The Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama is a group based in northern Alabama. It is recognized by the state of Alabama as a state-recognized tribe. This recognition happened in 1984 under a law called the Davis-Strong Act.
It is important to know that being recognized by a state government is different from being recognized by the United States federal government. It is also different from being recognized by other established Native American tribes.
The two federally recognized Cherokee tribes, the Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, do not support federal recognition for the Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama. They consider them to be among groups that do not have a direct connection to their historical tribes.
Contents
About the Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama
The Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama is set up as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This means it is a group that works for a good cause and does not aim to make a profit. Its main office is in Falkville, Alabama.
The group was started in 1995. Its main goal is to teach people about the history, culture, and background of the Cherokee people.
Cherokee Heritage Groups
Many groups in the United States say they have Cherokee heritage. However, not all of these groups have official records or clear family ties to the main federally recognized Cherokee tribes. These tribes are the Cherokee Nation, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.
Some of these groups have tried to get federal recognition but were not approved. The U.S. government handles official relationships with Native American tribes. State governments do not have the power to decide who is a federally recognized tribe.
History of the Echota Cherokee
In the 1830s, a sad event called the Indian Removal Act forced most Cherokee people to leave their homes in the Southeastern United States. This journey is known as the Trail of Tears.
About 1,000 Cherokee people stayed in the Southeast. They formed the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Their tribe still lives in a community called the Qualla Boundary.
The Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama says their ancestors were Cherokee people who avoided the Trail of Tears. They claim their ancestors either ran away or simply blended in. They also say some ancestors looked like white people and spoke English. This helped them avoid being forced to move.
In 1980, a group of people who could not join any federally recognized Native American tribe formed a nonprofit club. They called themselves "The Echota Cherokee."
In 1984, the state of Alabama created the Alabama Indian Affairs Commission. This commission helps represent Native American interests in the state. At this time, the Echota Cherokee group gained state recognition. Their main office is in Falkville, Alabama.
In 1997, the Echota Cherokee organization reported having 22,000 members. However, only 21 members took part in the survey that reported this number. The group does not publicly share what rules they use for people to become members.
At that time, their goals included electing a council. They also hoped to teach the Cherokee language in Alabama public schools. The Echota Cherokee group has a representative on the Alabama Indian Affairs Commission. They also work with the Inter-Tribal Council of Alabama's WIA Program. This program helps improve job skills for people.
Federal Recognition Efforts
The Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama is not federally recognized as a Native American tribe. Also, none of the federally recognized Cherokee communities recognize them.
In 2009, the Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama sent a letter saying they planned to ask for federal recognition. However, the group did not send in the full application needed for federal recognition.
Notable People
- Lil' Cory, an actor and rapper
- Jeanne Rorex-Bridges, a painter and illustrator
See also
In Spanish: Tribu Echota Cherokee de Alabama para niños
- Cherokee heritage groups
- State-recognized tribes
