Arkansas Indigenous Peoples

Native American Topics
BuffaloHunters.jpg
Buffalo Hunt under the Wolf-Skin Mask
Beginning Research
Tribes
Record Types
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Other Topics

Online Resources

Tribes and Bands of Arkansas

When a tribe or group is federally recognized it is eligible for funding and services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). When a state establishes state tribal recognition, it acknowledges the tribes status within the state, but does not guarantee funding from either the state or the federal government. When a tribe is recognized by the federal government, it can also be recognized by the state, but not all state recognized tribes are necessarily recognized by the federal government.[1]

For an current list of Federal and State Recognized Tribes, see List of federally recognized tribes by state and State-recognized tribes in the United States at Wikipedia

Tribes Recognized by the Federal Government

There are no Tribes in Arkansas that are recognized by the Federal Government.

Tribes Recognized by the State of Arkansas

There are no Tribes recognized by the State of Arkansas. Most Native Americans were forced to leave Arkansas during the Indian Removals of the 1800's. These tribes are not extinct, but except for the descendants of Arkansas Indians who escaped from Removal, they do not live in Arkansas anymore. They were moved to Indian reservations in Oklahoma instead. [2]

Tribes Formally in Arkansas

Tribes Not Recognized or No Longer are Active in Arkansas

Agencies of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Arkansas

Agency Records

Agencies and subagencies were created as administrative offices of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and its predecessors. Their purpose was (and is) to manage Indian affairs with the tribes, to enforce policies, and to assist in maintaining the peace. The local office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs was charged with maintaining records of the activities of those under their responsibility. The names and location of these agencies may have changed, but their purpose remained basically the same. Some records may be available to tribal members through the tribal headquarters. The BIA agency for Arkansas is the Eastern Region Office, BIA.

Agency Offices

Superintendencies

The Superintendencies were over the Indian agents and Indian Agencies.

Reservations in Arkansas

Indian Censuses

Arkansas Indian Schools

Land Allotment Records

Treaty Cession Lands

Arkansas Map of Indian Lands

Missions in Arkansas

  • Ancestry.com Cherokees, Conversations on the mission to the Arkansas, 1833. ($)

Arkansas Native Americans Historical Background

There are no Tribes recognized by the State of Arkansas. Most Native Americans were forced to leave Arkansas during the Indian Removals of the 1800's. These tribes are not extinct, but except for the descendants of Arkansas Indians who escaped from Removal, they do not live in Arkansas anymore. They were moved to Indian reservations in Oklahoma instead. [3]

Repositories

Archives

National Archives at Washington, D.C., Archives I
Pennsylvania Avenue at 8th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20408
Telephone: 202-501-5415
Fax: 301-713-6740
Email: Contact Us
Digitized Records
Website
Research Wiki Article


National Archives at Fort Worth
1400 John Burgess Drive
Fort Worth, Texas 76140
Phone: (817) 551-2051
Email: ftworth.archives@nara.gov
Website
Research Wiki Article

  • This regional archives has records for Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek and Seminole Indians, also known as the Five Civilized Tribes.
  • Dawes Records - Other records include Muskogee Area Office, Records of Indian Schools, Administrative Records of District Offices.

References