MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians facts for kids

The MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians is a group of people recognized as a tribe by the state of Alabama. Most of their members live in southern Washington County and northern Mobile County, in southwest Alabama.

The name MOWA comes from combining parts of the names of the two counties: Mobile and Washington. They used to be called the Mobile-Washington County Band of Choctaw Indians of South Alabama.

The MOWA Band of Choctaw says their ancestors were Choctaw people who stayed in Alabama during the 1830s. At that time, many Native American groups were forced to move from their lands.

Seeking Federal Recognition

The MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians has tried to gain official recognition from the United States government. This is called federal recognition. It would give them special rights and benefits as a Native American tribe.

They first sent a letter about their interest in 1983. Then, they sent their full request in 1988.

Why Recognition Was Denied

In 1997 and again in 1999, the U.S. Department of the Interior said no to their request. They explained that the MOWA group could not prove they were direct descendants of the historical Choctaw tribe.

The government found that most members came from two main families living in Alabama in the early 1800s. Records from that time did not identify these families as American Indians.

Only a very small number of members had some documented Native American heritage. However, this heritage came from ancestors who joined the group much later. This was not enough to show that the entire group descended from a historical tribe.

The MOWA Band of Choctaw asked the government to look at their case again in 1998. But in 1999, the government confirmed its decision. They stated there was no proof that 99 percent of the MOWA members had Choctaw or other Native American ancestry.

State Recognition

Even though they are not federally recognized, the MOWA Band of Choctaw is recognized by the state of Alabama. This happened in 1979. State Representative J. E. Turner helped pass a law to make this official.

Some MOWA members, like Galas Weaver and Framon Weaver, became important leaders in Native American affairs in Alabama. Galas Weaver helped create the Alabama Indian Affairs Commission in 1984.

MOWA Reservation

Location of the MOWA Reservation

The MOWA Band of Choctaw is one of the few state-recognized tribes that has its own land, called a reservation. The MOWA Reservation is about 160 acres in size. It is located a few miles west of US Highway 43.

How the Organization Works

The MOWA organization comes from three main families: the Weavers, Byrds, and Reeds. Historically, these families were often seen as "free persons of color" or Black people. Sometimes, they were listed as white in government papers.

They were not fully accepted by local white people. Because they were free, they were also different from enslaved Black people in the area. Over time, this isolated group began to identify more strongly as American Indian and Choctaw, especially in the 1960s.

In 1979, under the leadership of Framon Weaver, they officially became a nonprofit organization in Alabama. This organization is called the MOWA Band of Choctaw Indian Commission.

As of 2019, the leaders of the commission include:

• Lebaron Byrd, who is the CEO
• John Byrd, who is the treasurer
• Kesler Weaver, who is the chairman

The MOWA Choctaw Cultural Center is located in Mount Vernon. It works under the MOWA Band of Choctaw Indian Commission. It was started in 2003 to support arts and culture. Lebaron Byrd is also its president.

Activities and Services

The MOWA Band of Choctaw offers different services to its community. They run a health clinic to help with medical needs. They also have a museum where visitors can learn about their history and culture.

Each year, the MOWA hosts an annual powwow. A powwow is a special gathering where Native American people celebrate their culture through dancing, singing, and other traditions.

Health Concerns

Some members of the MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians have a rare genetic condition. It is called Marinesco–Sjögren syndrome. This condition can cause learning difficulties, weak muscles, and problems with balance and coordination.

They are the only group in the United States known to have this rare disease.

Future Legislation

In 2022, a U.S. Senator named Richard C. Shelby from Alabama proposed a new law. This law, called S.3443 MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians Recognition Act, would give federal recognition to the MOWA Choctaw. The bill is currently being reviewed by a Senate committee.