In the Margins - A PBS Documentary
What Does it Mean to be a Federally
Recognized Tribe?
Dear Friends,
I'm reaching out to invite you to watch a brand-new PBS special that shares the story of the MOWA Choctaw Indian Tribe and our ongoing efforts to receive federal recognition. This piece was just produced and published for the first time, and it tells who we are, the challenges we face, and why federal recognition is so important for our tribe.
With nearly 8,000 members, the MOWA Choctaw Tribe has a fully functioning tribal government that provides essential services like housing, education, healthcare, and more for our people. Federal recognition would help us access the resources we need to expand these services, strengthen our community, and get on the road to self-reliance.
We are proud to be contributing members of society, working hard to maintain our culture, support our families, and give back to the broader community. Recognition would allow us to do even more, securing a brighter future for our people and the generations to come.
I've included the link to the PBS special below. I encourage you to watch it and share it with your friends, family, and everyone you know. Please help us spread the word by posting the link on social media and educating others about this important issue.
Thank you for standing with us in this journey toward self-reliance and recognition.
Sincerely,
Dr. LeBaron Byrd
Outline
Introduction
The history of the MOWA Choctaw Tribe in Alabama exemplifies resilience, adaptation, and a deep-rooted connection to their ancestral lands. Spanning thousands of years, their narrative is rich with cultural continuity despite numerous adversities.
Pre-1830 Foundations and Cultural Roots
Long before European contact, the ancestors of the MOWA Choctaw were integral to the vibrant Mississippian culture, known for its sophisticated societal structures and ceremonial centers. Sites like Moundville in Alabama were cultural and religious hubs that connected the Choctaws to a widespread network of trade and ceremonial practices across the Southeastern United States. This history forms the foundation of the MOWA Choctaw’s deep connection to their lands.
European Contact and the Colonial Era
The arrival of Europeans, beginning with Hernando de Soto’s expedition in 1540, brought unprecedented challenges to the Choctaw people. However, they adapted to these challenges, engaging in trade and diplomatic efforts with European powers, demonstrating resilience and strategic acumen in a changing world.
The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek and the Impact of the Indian Removal Act
The Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the subsequent Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek were pivotal events in Choctaw history. John Armstrong, appointed as the U.S. Choctaw Removal Commissioner, was responsible for enforcing this treaty, which pressured many Choctaw families to leave their homeland. While some were forcibly relocated along the traumatic Trail of Tears, a significant number either never left or returned shortly after their initial relocation, reestablishing themselves in less accessible regions of Alabama. These returnees, the ancestors of today's MOWA Choctaw, used the dense forests and swamps as refuge from further governmental persecution, allowing them to maintain a connection to their ancestral lands.
John Armstrong: Role and Impact in the Choctaw Removal
As the U.S. Choctaw Removal Commissioner, John Armstrong oversaw the logistics and enforcement of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. His responsibilities included land surveys, allotments, and documenting Choctaw families who chose to remain under the treaty's terms by accepting individual land allotments. Armstrong's work led to the creation of the Armstrong Rolls, which documented Choctaw who remained in Mississippi, ostensibly assimilating into American society. Armstrong's role was complex; while he enforced government policy, his actions contributed to significant suffering and disruption for the Choctaw people. The Armstrong Rolls remain a critical historical resource, capturing the choices faced by the Choctaw during this turbulent time.
Resistance and Resilience: The MOWA Choctaw’s Persistence
Despite the U.S. government’s intention to remove them, many Choctaw families, including notable families like Weaver, Martin, and Rivers, returned to or remained in Alabama. Their presence demonstrates an unbroken connection to their heritage and land. By 1835, the Bureau of Indian Affairs established a schoolhouse for MOWA Choctaw children, reinforcing the tribe’s cultural cohesion and marking an early form of acknowledgment of their enduring presence in Alabama.
Continuity and Cultural Preservation Post-Removal
Those who remained or returned to Alabama post-removal maintained their cultural practices discreetly. Oral histories, passed down through generations, describe hidden settlements and the reclamation of community life. These oral traditions are crucial, providing a continuous link between present-day MOWA Choctaw and their ancestors, and serving as essential documentation for federal recognition.
"They Say the Wind Is Red" - A Chronicle of Resilience and Identity by Jacqueline Anderson Matte
Jacqueline Anderson Matte, the author of They Say the Wind Is Red, is a historian with extensive knowledge of the MOWA Choctaw's history and culture. Her academic background and dedication to researching Native American histories have established her as a recognized authority in the field. Matte’s expertise is further validated by her role as a trusted source of testimony before Congress, where she has provided expert insights on Native American issues, particularly concerning the MOWA Choctaw's quest for federal recognition.
In her book, Matte provides a detailed narrative of the MOWA Choctaw's enduring struggle to maintain their community and identity despite numerous adversities. The book details how, throughout the 1800s and 1900s, the MOWA Choctaw resisted efforts by unscrupulous government agents to steal their land and resources. Even when government census takers failed to recognize them correctly, often listing them as black or mulatto if they were listed at all, the MOWA Choctaw maintained their Indian communities. This narrative underscores not only the historical challenges they faced but also their profound commitment to preserving their heritage despite systemic obstacles.
Key Aspects Highlighted in the Book:
Historical Resilience and Continuity: Matte’s work documents the MOWA Choctaw’s cultural and social continuity, emphasizing their resilience in maintaining their identity and community coherence through oral traditions and persistent cultural practices.
Oral Histories and Cultural Preservation: The book places significant emphasis on the role of oral histories in preserving the MOWA Choctaw’s identity. These oral traditions have been passed down through generations, serving as a vital link to the tribe's past and a testament to their enduring cultural vitality.
Struggle for Recognition: Matte’s analysis includes the tribe's ongoing struggle for federal recognition, detailing the bureaucratic and legislative challenges they have faced. Her book serves as an essential resource in understanding these complexities and provides a compelling narrative that supports the tribe's claims for recognition.
Quotes from the book, such as “The MOWA Choctaw, as chronicled in They Say the Wind Is Red, exemplify a remarkable story of endurance and cultural integrity,” highlight the tribe’s dedication to preserving their heritage. The book also illustrates how government misclassification “significantly hampered their ability to claim their rights as a Native American tribe,” providing critical insight into the discriminatory practices that have complicated their journey towards federal recognition.Jacqueline Anderson Matte’s contributions through her writing and her expert testimony have been instrumental in bringing the MOWA Choctaw’s historical and cultural issues to the forefront of discussions on Native American rights, making a significant impact on their fight for recognition and justice.
Modern Advocacy for Federal Recognition of the MOWA Choctaw Tribe
In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the MOWA Choctaw have intensified their efforts to secure federal recognition. These efforts are supported by a wealth of historical documentation, archaeological evidence, and a rich compilation of oral histories that emphasize their continuous presence and cultural integrity.
Contributions of Kevin Gover
Kevin Gover, who served as the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior, played a significant role in the evaluation of federal recognition applications. Gover has publicly stated that the MOWA Choctaw's application was not fairly assessed during his tenure, revealing that he was misled by staff regarding the tribe's eligibility and the sufficiency of their application.
Key Insights from Kevin Gover:
Position and Influence: As the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Gover was responsible for overseeing the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and had significant influence over the federal recognition process.
Acknowledgment of Missteps: Gover admitted that the information provided to him by the staff about the MOWA Choctaw's application was incomplete and biased, which negatively impacted the tribe's chance for a fair evaluation.
Advocacy for Reevaluation: Gover has advocated for a reevaluation of the MOWA Choctaw's application, citing the need for a just and equitable review process. His statements have brought renewed attention to the tribe's ongoing struggle for recognition.
Quotes from Kevin Gover:
"It has become clear that the MOWA Choctaw were not given a fair opportunity to make their case for recognition. I was misled by the staff about the completeness of their application and the historical evidence they provided."
"The failure to properly assess the MOWA Choctaw's application was a grave oversight. We owe it to them to reexamine their claim with the thoroughness and fairness it rightfully deserves."
Key Advocacy Efforts and Documentation
State Recognition as a Foundation (1979): The MOWA Choctaw received state recognition in 1979, validating their historical continuity within Alabama and providing a foundation for pursuing federal recognition.
Federal Recognition Applications: Over the past few decades, the MOWA Choctaw have submitted multiple applications, including detailed genealogical records tracing family histories back to the 1830s.
Archaeological Findings (1990s - Present): Excavations in MOWA Choctaw territories uncovered traditional pottery styles and tools, supporting their longstanding connection to the land.
Oral Histories and Cultural Practices: Oral histories and ongoing traditional practices, such as basket-making and Choctaw ceremonies, further demonstrate the tribe’s cultural integrity.
Legal and Legislative Efforts (2000s): The MOWA Choctaw intensified their legal efforts, gaining support from state officials and participating in congressional hearings.
Community Support and Public Awareness Campaigns: Through educational programs, cultural exhibitions, and academic partnerships, the tribe has raised public awareness about their heritage, furthering their cause for recognition.
Challenges and Responses
Federal recognition has been fraught with challenges due to stringent documentation criteria, often lacking for tribes like the MOWA Choctaw, whose histories are primarily oral. In response, the tribe has adapted by compiling alternative forms of evidence and building both legal and public support to address these hurdles.
Conclusion
The historical narrative of the MOWA Choctaw Tribe is not merely a chronicle of survival; it is a profound testament to the tribe's unwavering resilience, cultural integrity, and determined advocacy for federal recognition. Spanning from the prehistoric times marked by sophisticated societies centered around mound-building in the Mississippian culture to the trials of the 19th century's forced removals, and into the modern-day struggles for recognition, the MOWA Choctaw have continually demonstrated their deep-rooted connection to their ancestral lands in Alabama.
Throughout centuries, the MOWA Choctaw have faced and overcome tremendous adversities. The European contact period and subsequent colonial era introduced disruptive forces that threatened their way of life, yet they adapted and endured. The Indian Removal Act and the resultant Trail of Tears epitomized the severe challenges imposed on them by U.S. government policies. Despite these historical injustices, many Choctaw returned to or never left their homeland, fostering a community that maintained its cultural practices and social cohesion even in the face of obliteration.
The pivotal role of oral histories in preserving the tribe's legacy cannot be overstated. These narratives have not only bridged generations but have also been instrumental in retaining the communal bonds and cultural identity that federal agencies failed to recognize. These stories form the backbone of their continuous presence and are a crucial element in their ongoing efforts for legal and cultural recognition.
In recent decades, the advocacy for federal recognition has seen significant developments, particularly highlighted by the engagement of figures such as Kevin Gover, who acknowledged the unfair treatment in the evaluation of the MOWA Choctaw's application. His call for a reevaluation and the acknowledgment of past oversights reflects a critical shift towards addressing historical wrongs and moving towards justice.
Today, the MOWA Choctaw's campaign for recognition is supported by a robust array of documentation—from detailed genealogical records to archaeological evidence and scholarly research such as Jacqueline Anderson Matte's impactful writings. These efforts underscore the tribe's rich heritage and their unbroken history despite numerous challenges.
The MOWA Choctaw Tribe's quest for federal recognition is more than a legal battle; it is a fight for the right to self-identify, to honor their ancestors, and to secure a future where their cultural and sovereign rights are acknowledged and respected. This narrative, enriched by historical details and a contemporary understanding of their plight, provides a compelling argument for their rightful place in the annals of American history and indigenous sovereignty. As this story unfolds, it continues to inspire and demand a deeper reflection on the values of justice and equity in the recognition of Native American tribes across the United States.