History

www.pci-nsn.gov/our-story/history/

It is said that, centuries ago, our ancestors came from the west, descending from the mountains. The Creator sent down a cedar pole and instructed our people to stand the pole upright and travel in the direction it fell. They followed it for countless days and nights as, each day, the pole fell east. Finally they reached the coast with an endless ocean before them. They asked the Creator if they were to live here and were told to follow the pole one more day and night. The pole fell to the west and they followed. At dawn they discovered a rich and fertile land, teeming with life. The sacred pole stood upright. They had reached their home.

The Creek Indians, along with other southeastern tribes such as the Choctaws and Cherokees, are descended from the peoples of the Mississippian period (circa AD 800-1500). In the 16th century, the arrival of European settlers brought epidemics, violence and unrest to the southeast United States, resulting in a scattering of the region’s indigenous peoples.

In the 17th century, these diverse populations joined together and established settlements along the central Chattahoochee River, the lower Tallapoosa River and the central Coosa River in what is now east-central Alabama. For the next two centuries, these areas were the heart of what became the Creek Nation, and these new towns (“etvlwv” in the Muskogee language of the Creeks) became the centers of Creek political and ceremonial life.

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Relatives

The Poarch Band is most closely related to other federally recognized Muscogee-descended tribes, many of whom were forcibly removed to Oklahoma during the Indian Removal Act of 1830. These relatives include:

• Muscogee (Creek) Nation: The largest and most well-known group, based in Oklahoma.
• Other Muscogee Tribal Towns: This includes the Kialegee Tribal Town, Thlopthlocco Tribal Town, and the Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town, all located in Oklahoma.
• Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas: These tribes were also part of the Creek Confederacy and share linguistic and cultural roots with the Poarch Band.
• Seminole Nation of Oklahoma: The Seminole people were historically a confederacy of Native Americans in Florida, many of whom had Muscogee Creek ancestry.

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Sources

• Poarch Band of Creek Indians Official Website: The primary source for the tribe’s history and heritage.
  • https://pci-nsn.gov/our-story/history/
• Muscogee (Creek) Nation Official Website: Provides information on the Muscogee Nation’s government and history.
  • https://www.muscogeenation.com/
• Wikipedia – Poarch Band of Creek Indians: Details the tribe’s history, ancestral ties to the Muscogee Creek peoples, and how they remained in Alabama after the main body of the tribe was removed.
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poarch_Band_of_Creek_Indians
• Wikipedia – Muscogee Nation: Offers a comprehensive overview of the Muscogee Confederacy and its related ethnic groups, including the Poarch Band and other Muscogee tribal towns.
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscogee_Nation

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Resources

Official Tribal Resources

• Poarch Band of Creek Indians Official Website: The tribe’s main site is an excellent starting point. It contains sections on their history, government, culture, and educational resources. You can also find information about their economic ventures and community programs.
  • https://pci-nsn.gov/
• Poarch Creek Indians Museum & Welcome Center: This museum, located on the reservation in Atmore, Alabama, offers a firsthand look at the tribe’s history and culture. It’s free and open to the public, showcasing artifacts, traditional art, and historical documents, including the petition for federal recognition. *
• Cultural Department and Educational Resources: The tribe’s cultural department has dedicated pages with a variety of resources. These often include video clips, Mvskoke language phrases, and downloadable historical documents.
  • https://pci-nsn.gov/culture-and-events/

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Historical and Educational Resources

• Alabama Indian Affairs Commission: This state agency provides information on the federally recognized tribes within Alabama, including a concise history of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and their journey.
  • https://aiac.alabama.gov/tribes_poarchcreek.aspx
• The Forgotten Creeks Documentary: This Emmy-award winning documentary traces the history of the Muscogee Creek Indians who remained in Alabama after the Indian Removal Act. The film explores their years of hardship and their journey to becoming a federally recognized tribe. You can often find links to this documentary or information about it on the tribe’s website or other historical sites. *
• Wikipedia: The Wikipedia pages for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and the broader Muscogee Nation can provide a general overview of their history, including their relationship with other Creek groups and their fight for federal recognition. While not a primary source, it’s a good place for quick context.
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poarch_Band_of_Creek_Indians