The Poarch Band of Creek Indians Tribe is located in Alabama. Their ancestries go back to the Creek Nation. They are the only group acknowledged in the federal list in that state. They live in a reservation about 13km northwest from Atmore, Alabama and 92km east from Mobile.
Originally, the Creek Nation inhabited most of Alabama and Georgia, but retained portions of the tribal land different from other Indian tribes at the time. Regardless of a government policy on removal of Southeastern Indians, an unknown number of Creeks stayed behind in Alabama. The Creek Nation was separated into two by the War of 1812 to an Upper part, which became allied to the government, and a lower part, which was more resilient. The government provided military aid and the Creek Nation agreed to give up a huge part of their land upon victory of the friendly creeks and their government partners. The treaty forced the more lenient Creek to give up more of their land, but those who had participated in the war were granted one square mile land. They have remained together for close to 200 years.
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They live in the Poarch Creek Indian Reservation located in Alabama being the only federally recognized Native American tribe in that state. It is located 13km northwest of Atmore. As of 2006, about 1000 of the poarch’s 2340 members lived on or around the reservation spanning 230 acres. The band also possesses some more trust lands in Alabama and Florida.
The Poarch Band of Creeks has its own systems of government and bylaws since it operates as a sovereign nation. They won a major court decision in 2016 that passed that its trust lands cannot be taxed by officials in Alabama. The group has a constitutional government divided into three main branches, which are the legislature, executive and judicial. The Poarch Band’s gaming businesses, which operate legally in Alabama, are only subject to federal laws and not state laws.
By 2016, the tribe had more than 3000 members, and 1000 of those resided on and around the poarch reservation. As of today, there are close to 2200 members of the group living in and on the surrounding area of Poarch, Alabama in the rural Escambia County. Creek members outside of the Poach area, which is considered an Indian Community, were unconsidered during the census of the Creek Nation.
To qualify for enrollment to the tribe, one must be a descendant of one of the American Indians named in the: the 1870 US Census of Escambia County, Alabama; 1900 US Census of Escambia County; 1900 US Special Indian Census of Monroe County, Alabama. Moreover, individuals are required to have at least a ¼ American Indian blood, which is the same as having one full-blooded Creek Grandparent. They are also not supposed to be a member of any other tribe. However, The Tribal Roll is currently closed and if the names did not appear on the official roll as of December 31, 2008 individuals shall be ineligible for membership unless: they were 18 years or younger prior to December 31, 2008, born on or after December 31, 2008, became eligible because of a rectification in a member’s blood quantum.
The Poarch Band of Creeks operates as a sovereign nation consisting of its own bylaws and own system of government. The constitution gives way for three parts of government, which are the Legislative, Judicial and Executive branches. It also states the rights of members, election procedures among other roles. Both men and women can occupy roles on any of the above governing bodies.
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians use Muskogee language as their official language. The Oklahoma Department of Education permits Native American to be taught as foreign languages in public schools, but only in higher levels where they are offered as a choice and not compulsory.
