Native American tribes in Texas facts for kids
Native American tribes in Texas are the Native American groups who live in Texas today. They also include the many Indigenous peoples who lived there in the past.
For thousands of years, different groups built homes across the varied lands of Texas. Some lived in grassy plains, while others lived near the ocean or in dry deserts. When European settlers arrived, early governments often forced Native peoples to leave their homelands. Many groups were pushed onto reservations or moved away completely.
Today, several tribes still maintain their traditions in Texas. Many other tribes with Texas roots have their modern governments based in nearby states.
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Federally recognized Native American tribes in Texas
Texas has three federally recognized tribes. A federally recognized tribe is recognized as a tribal nation by the United States federal government. This means they have the right to govern themselves.
The three tribes currently located in the state are:
- Alabama–Coushatta Tribes of Texas, who originally moved from eastern areas like Tennessee and Alabama.
- Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, who originally came from the Great Lakes region.
- Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo of Texas, who originally came from New Mexico.
To gain federal status, groups must meet strict rules set by the government. They must prove their community has stayed together as an Indian group since 1900. They need their own leaders and written rules for tribal membership. Members must show direct family ties to historical tribes. They also must not belong to another tribe or have been affected by the Indian termination policy.
These tribes work with the Bureau of Indian Affairs located in Anadarko, Oklahoma. That office serves the Southern Plains region.
American Indian reservations in Texas
The three tribes have their own lands called Indian reservations. These lands belong to the tribal nations:
- Alabama–Coushatta Reservation, located in Polk County, Texas within deep pine forests.
- Kickapoo Reservation, located along the Rio Grande in Maverick County, Texas.
- Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, located in El Paso County, Texas in far west Texas.
How does state recognition work in Texas?
Some states have special laws to grant status to State-recognized tribes. However, the state of Texas does not have any legal system to recognize tribes.
A state agency called the Texas Indian Commission once helped manage trust lands. The commission was dissolved in 1989. It worked only with the three federally recognized tribes.
Sometimes, state leaders pass congratulatory resolutions to honor specific groups. For example, the state legislature honored the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas with special resolutions. However, resolutions are only statements of respect and do not carry the power of law. Bills to officially recognize the Lipan Apache or the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation have not passed. Over 30 organizations in Texas claim native roots, but they remain unrecognized. Some operate as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to celebrate their heritage.
Discover the historical Native American tribes of Texas
In the past, dozens of different Native nations lived all across Texas. During the 19th century, the United States forced many tribes into Indian Territory, which became Oklahoma. Other groups moved into New Mexico or Louisiana.
The Texas Historical Commission preserves information about these early groups. It works with many tribes to protect ancient lands and historical items. State rules encourage leaders to listen to tribal views when building projects might change local environments.
Farmers and builders of East Texas
The Caddo lived in the piney woods of East Texas. They built permanent farming villages with tall, cone-shaped grass houses. They did not move around often because their rich soils produced great crops like corn, beans, and squash.
The Caddo were talented craftspeople who made beautiful pottery. They set up busy trade networks with other nations and allied with French traders. Related bands included the Eyeish, Hainai, Kadohadacho, Nabedache, Nacogdoche, and Natchitoches. The modern Caddo Nation is headquartered in Oklahoma. Other early eastern groups included the Adai people, Bidai, Akokisa, Deadose, Patiri, and Atakapa.
Skilled hunters and riders of the plains
The Comanche lived across the wide Southern Plains of northern and western Texas. They became world-famous for their incredible skills as riders after horses arrived in North America. They rode horses to travel, trade, and protect their territory.
Comanche life centered around hunting the giant herds of buffalo. Buffalo provided meat for food, skins for tepees, and warm blankets for winter. Today, their descendants belong to the Comanche Nation in Oklahoma.
The Kiowa also lived in the Texas Panhandle and formed a close partnership with the Comanche. Northern and central areas were also home to the Wichita people, including the Waco people, Tawakoni, Taovaya, and Kichai. Other plains tribes included the Tonkawa, who traveled between central and southeastern rivers.
Coastal tribes of the Gulf of Mexico
The Karankawa lived along the warm bays and inlets of the Texas Gulf Coast. Because the sandy coast was hard to farm, they moved by canoe to fish and gather food. They ate oysters, clams, fish, and coastal plants.
The Karankawa were known for making waterproof baskets sealed with natural tar. They also used long bows for fishing and hunting. They were among the first people to meet shipwrecked Spanish explorers in Texas.
Desert travelers of West Texas
The Jumano lived along rivers and desert regions of West and Central Texas. They were known for special facial markings and their role as active traders. They built flat-roofed homes made of sun-dried adobe bricks along the Rio Grande.
Other groups in western Texas included bands of the Apache people, such as the Lipan Apache and Mescalero Apache Tribe. They traveled wide distances and knew how to find food and water in dry, rocky hills. Farther south along the Rio Grande lived various Coahuiltecan bands, such as the Comecrudo, Pastia, and Payaya.
Contemporary Native American tribes headquartered outside Texas
Many tribes that once lived in Texas are now based in neighboring states. Their citizens keep their ancestral Texas connections alive through stories, songs, and tribal gatherings.
Some of these nations include:
- Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma
- Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town, Oklahoma
- Apache Tribe of Oklahoma
- Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma
- Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes, Oklahoma
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana
- Delaware Nation, Oklahoma
- Jena Band of Choctaw Indians, Louisiana
- Jicarilla Apache Nation, New Mexico
- Kialegee Tribal Town, Oklahoma
- Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma
- Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Oklahoma
- Osage Nation, Oklahoma
- Quapaw Nation, Oklahoma
- Seminole Nation of Oklahoma
- Shawnee Tribe, Oklahoma
- Thlopthlocco Tribal Town, Oklahoma
- Tonkawa Tribe, Oklahoma
- Tunica-Biloxi Tribe, Louisiana
- United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, Oklahoma
- Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, Oklahoma
Related pages
- Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains
- Aridoamerica cultures
