47
edits
Alabama Coushatta Tribe: Difference between revisions
→Brief Timeline
| Line 73: | Line 73: | ||
** In Louisiana, the Commandant in New Orleans granted the Alabamas 1280 acres (2 leagues) of land, but they never took possession of it. In Northwest Louisiana, both tribes settled near the Caddo Tribes. They migrated to Caddo and Moeser Parishes. They established a friendship with the Caddo tribes. | ** In Louisiana, the Commandant in New Orleans granted the Alabamas 1280 acres (2 leagues) of land, but they never took possession of it. In Northwest Louisiana, both tribes settled near the Caddo Tribes. They migrated to Caddo and Moeser Parishes. They established a friendship with the Caddo tribes. | ||
'''Coushatta:''' | * '''Coushatta:''' | ||
* By the 1790s, Coushattas migrated across the Sabine River. The Caddos invited the tribes to hunt with them in East Texas. By 1803, the tribes each settled three villages along with building a network of trails from Louisiana and Texas. | * By the 1790s, Coushattas migrated across the Sabine River. The Caddos invited the tribes to hunt with them in East Texas. By 1803, the tribes each settled three villages along with building a network of trails from Louisiana and Texas. | ||
| Line 81: | Line 81: | ||
* Goods were exchanged for intel on settlers, tribes and contraband activity from the El Camino Real de los Tejas to the Gulf Coast. | * Goods were exchanged for intel on settlers, tribes and contraband activity from the El Camino Real de los Tejas to the Gulf Coast. | ||
* Coushatta warriors also participated in the Battle of Rosales against the Spanish. The Spanish were surprised because they had no battle plan, so they retreated. The Coushatta Warriors were cited for bravery. | * Coushatta warriors also participated in the Battle of Rosales against the Spanish. The Spanish were surprised because they had no battle plan, so they retreated. The Coushatta Warriors were cited for bravery. | ||
'''State of Texas''' | |||
* 1857, the Coushattas were permitted to move onto the Alabama Reservation. Others opted to return to Louisiana. This is why there is a Coushatta tribe in Louisiana. | |||
* 1858 was the formation of the Lower Brazos Reservation for all tribes in Texas in Young County. A Tribal delegation including Chiefs visited the site and told the Indian Agent the land was unsuitable. The Alabamas and Coushattas people refused to move. | |||
'''Civil War and After''' | |||
* 1860, a Presbyterian missionary (Reverend Tinney) advocated for a church to be established on the Alabamas and Coushattas reservation. | |||
* 1880 the Presbyterian Church was established on the Alabamas an Coushattas reservation. | |||
* Since 1859 there was no government assistance for the Alabamas and Coushattas tribes. | |||
* 1914, was the first time the tribal people had a representative of the Federal Government come to their lands. Therefore, he completed a census of the Alabamas and Coushattas people. | |||
* 1929, Charlie Martin Thompson was elected Principal Chief, given the name “Sunkee.” He and a delegation of tribal members and local supporters went to Washington, DC to advocate for help. Following congressional hearings Mikko Sunkee met with Pres. Hoover. | |||
** A $32,000 loan was given to the tribe. This was supplemented by the State of Texas for $40,000. This was used for homes and 3,014 acres adjacent to the reservation. The land deed was written out to the “Alabamas and Coushattas Tribes of Texas. This was the first time the combined name appeared. | |||
** In addition, the reservation Independent School District was established for Indian students, Kindergarten through 12<sup>th</sup> grade. | |||
In 1954, the federal government opted to relinquish trusteeship over smaller tribes including the Alabama and Coushatta. As a result, the Texas Board of Special Schools took over trusteeship of the tribes with the implication that Tribal members were now wards of the state.<ref>Bryanj J. Celestine, ''Alabama-Coushata Indians'', from YouTube Video presentation recorded at the Allen Public Library, 20 October 2016. All of the foregoing history was adapted from the live presentation.</ref> | |||
==== Reservations ==== | ==== Reservations ==== | ||