Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama
{{Short description|State-recognized tribe in Alabama, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama
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| named_after = Cherokee people
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| founding_location = Pinson, Alabama
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| type = state-recognized tribe, nonprofit organization
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| status = Civic/social organizations; Arts/culture/humanities nonprofits; Charities
| purpose = A23: Cultural, Ethnic Awareness
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| location_country = United States
| membership = 3,000
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| revenue_year = 2022
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| funding = grants, membership dues
| staff_year = 2022
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| website = {{URL|https://cherokeetribeofnortheastalabama.org/}}
| formerly = Cherokees of Jackson County
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The Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama (CTNEAL), formerly the Cherokees of Jackson County, is a state-recognized tribe in Alabama. They have about 3,000 members.{{cite web |title=The Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama |url=https://aiac.alabama.gov/tribes_NortheastCherokee.aspx |website=State of Alabama Indian Affairs Commission |access-date=30 March 2024}} The tribe has a representative on the Alabama Indian Affairs Commission and the Inter-Tribal Council of Alabama. They are not federally recognized as a Native American tribe.{{cite web |title=Indian Entities Recognized by and Eligible To Receive Services From the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/29/2021-01606/indian-entities-recognized-by-and-eligible-to-receive-services-from-the-united-states-bureau-of |website=Indian Affairs Bureau |publisher=Federal Register |access-date=21 January 2022 |pages=7554–58 |date=22 January 2022}}
Organization
CTNEAL has more than 3,000 members, most living within the state of Alabama. The state-recognized tribe has a constitution that governs the leadership government and members. It elects a Principal Chief, two Vice Chiefs as well as a tribal Council. Elections are held every four years.
The CTNEAL is a member of the National Congress of American Indians, which lists Larry Smith of Pinson, Alabama, as their current principal chief.{{cite web |title=Tribal Directory |url=https://www.ncai.org/tribal-directory/region/southeast-region/page/1 |website=National Congress of American Indian |access-date=30 March 2024}}
CTNEAL members identify as being of Cherokee descent. As members of a state-recognized tribe, CTNEAL individuals are eligible to participate in organizations such as the National Congress of American Indians. They can market their arts and crafts as being Native American or American Indian–made under the 1990 Indian Arts and Crafts Act but they are not eligible for federal benefits.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Cherokee Nation have listed the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama as a fraudulent group. {{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Anthony |last2=McKie B.P. |first2=Scott |title=Tribe establishes Cherokee Identity Protection Committee |url=https://theonefeather.com/2011/10/14/tribe-establishes-cherokee-identity-protection-committee/ |access-date=27 January 2022 |work=Cherokee One Feather}}
= Nonprofit =
In 1980, the Cherokees of Jackson County Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama formed a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.{{cite web |title=Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama |url=https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_al/725-210 |website=OpenCorporates |access-date=27 January 2022}}{{cite web |title=Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama |url=https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/cherokees-tribe-of-northeast-alabama,630849027/ |website=Cause IQ |access-date=2 October 2023}}
Edna Fowler, based in Boaz, Alabama, was the registered agent as of 2018.
The nonprofit legally changed names in 1983 and 1997. The tribe was formally known as Cherokees of Jackson County. Under the leadership of Dr. Lindy Martin, the group changed its name. As the tribe grew in membership, it changed its name to the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama to reflect a larger geographic area.
Petition for federal recognition
The Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama sent a letter of intent to petition for federal recognition in 1981.{{cite web |title=List of Petitoners By State |url=https://www.bia.gov/sites/bia.gov/files/assets/as-ia/ofa/admindocs/ListPetByState_2013-11-12.pdf |website=www.bia.gov |access-date=26 January 2022 |date=12 November 2013}} However, the tribe has not proceeded with submitting a completed petition for federal recognition.{{cite web |title=Office of Federal Acknowledgment |url=https://www.bia.gov/as-ia/ofa |website=U.S. Department of Indian Affairs |access-date=27 January 2022}}
Activities
The tribe and 501(c)(3) are involved with many events and services not limited to the following: community, school, art, demonstrations, health information, and Native American activities. Events and activities are held in and out of the state.
The CTNEAL is a voting member of the National Congress of American Indians.{{cite web |title=Tribal Directory |url=https://www.ncai.org/tribal-directory/region/southeast-region/page/1 |website=National Congress of American Indian |access-date=30 March 2024}}
Membership criteria
The Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama requires all potential members to have verifiable Cherokee descent. The rolls are open to any person who can document Cherokee ancestry. It does not require a minimum blood quantum.
See also
References
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External links
- {{Official website|https://cherokeetribeofnortheastalabama.org/}}
- {{cite web|url=https://aiac.alabama.gov|title=Indian Affairs Commission|publisher=State of Alabama|accessdate=21 April 2022}}
- {{cite web|url=http://www.ncsl.org/research/state-tribal-institute/list-of-federal-and-state-recognized-tribes.aspx#State|title=List of Federal and State Recognized Tribes|author=Shelly McDonald, Linda Tassin|publisher=ncsl.org|accessdate=2014-03-16}}
{{Cherokee|state=collapsed}}{{State-recognized tribes}}{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cherokee Tribe Of Northeast Alabama}}
Category:1980 establishments in Alabama
Category:Cherokee heritage groups
Category:Cultural organizations based in Alabama
Category:Native American tribes in Alabama