The Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama (CTNEAL), formerly the Cherokees of Jackson County, is a

state-recognized tribe State-recognized tribes in the United States are organizations that identify as Native American tribes or heritage groups that do not meet the criteria for federally recognized Indian tribes but have been recognized by a process established unde ...

Alabama (We dare defend our rights) , anthem = "Alabama" , image_map = Alabama in United States.svg , seat = Montgomery , LargestCity = Huntsville , LargestCounty = Baldwin County , LargestMetro = Greater Birmingham , area_total_km2 = 135,765 ...

. They have about 3,000 members. The tribe has a representative on the

Alabama Indian Affairs Commission Alabama Indian Affairs Commission (AIAC) was created by a legislative act in 1984 and represents more than 38,000 American Indian families who are residents of the U.S. state of Alabama. On the topic of why they exist, the AIAC said "Recognizin ...

and the Inter-Tribal Council of Alabama. They are not

federally recognized This is a list of federally recognized tribes in the contiguous United States of America. There are also federally recognized Alaska Native tribes. , 574 Indian tribes were legally recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) of the United ...

as a

Native American tribe In the United States, an American Indian tribe, Native American tribe, Alaska Native village, tribal nation, or similar concept is any extant or historical clan, tribe, band, nation, or other group or community of Native Americans in the Unit ...

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 tribes history predates 1980. 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 The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is an American Indian and Alaska Native rights organization. It was founded in 1944 to represent the tribes and resist federal government pressure for termination of tribal rights and assimilati ...

. 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 The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), (Cherokee: ᏣᎳᎩᏱ ᏕᏣᏓᏂᎸᎩ, ''Tsalagiyi Detsadanilvgi'') is a federally recognized Indian Tribe based in Western North Carolina in the United States. They are descended from the smal ...

and Cherokee Nation have listed the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama as a fraudulent group.

Nonprofit

In 1980, the Cherokees of Jackson County Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama formed a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Edna Fowler, based in Boaz, Alabama, was the registered agent as of 2018. The nonprofit legally changed names in 1983 and 1997.

Name

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. However, the tribe has not proceeded with submitting a completed petition for federal recognition.

Activities

The tribe and 501c3 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.

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. In addition to verifiable, lineal descent from a Cherokee ancestor(s), CTNEAL also has a residency requirement for membership. CTNEAL requires that potential members meet at least one of three requirements; *Reside within the state of Alabama *Reside within a 500-miles radius of

Pinson, Alabama Pinson is a city in Jefferson County near Birmingham, Alabama, United States, northwest of Center Point. As of the 2010 census, the population was 7,163. History Pinson was incorporated in March 2004. Geography This city is located at (33 ...

*Descend from an enrolled CTNEAL member who lives/lived within Alabama or the residency radius.

Issues

Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama struggles with trying to help their members. Many who live below the poverty line and have inadequate housing, medical needs, and high school dropout rates. Other issues include everyday needs such as food, water, heat, cooling, electricity, transportation, rent assistance, and much more.

External links

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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cherokee Tribe Of Northeast Alabama 1980 establishments in Alabama Cherokee heritage groups Cultural organizations based in Alabama Native American tribes in Alabama Non-profit organizations based in Alabama State-recognized tribes in the United States