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Indian Arts and Crafts Act It has come to our attention that there is discussion of changing the definition of what "Indian" is in the Indian Arts and Crafts Act. This act protects federal & state recognized citizens who are artist and who rightfully can state their artwork is "Native American Made". There are those who wish to have state recognized tribes removed from the definition. The Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama stands firm and works with the Alabama Tribal Alliance in letting the federal government know that we are Native American people and deserve the right to remain in the Indian Arts and Craft Acts definition of "Indian"  Etowah County FSA Office Is Hiring The Etowah County Farm Service Agency asked that we notify our citizens of this opportunity. We Are Hiring FSA. The Etowah County Farm Service Agency (FSA) office in Gadsden is hiring a full time Program Technician (PT). The deadline to apply is December 27, 2022. Duties include general office activities supporting FSA programs administered at the field level. Successful applicants must be reliable, have a professional attitude and enjoy working with the public. If you are interested or know of someone who might be interested, please share this information with them. Here is the direct link to the position with information on how to apply: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/694085600 Applications must be completed through USAJOBs no later than close of business December 27, 2022. Contact Amanda Gore at 256-546-2336 if you have specific questions regarding the position. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.  December NewsletterLooking For News Items or Announcements Our next newsletter will be going out on December 1st. If you have an announcement you would like listed in the newsletter, email that information to the tribes email address. Some examples might be graduations, anniversaries, passing of loved ones, promotions, work in the community, awards, etc. We would love to share your news. The tribes email is [email protected]. We need your information by November 20th. Sgi (thanks). Citizens Cleaning the LonghouseSaturday, October 22, some of our citizens were on the tribal grounds cleaning the longhouse. We ask that if you use the longhouse that you wipe the tables down, clean up your garbage, wash the dishes you use and sweep the floors. Pictured are Gary P. and Almon M. taking care of the longhouse.
Echota Tribe Invited To AttendThe Governmental Affairs Liaison, Seth Penn, has announced there will be an Alabama Tribes Gathering. It will include BBQ and a friendly game of stickball. It will be a day of tribal unity for the tribes of Alabama to come together. There will be food and fellowship for the tribes to share culture and to celebrate the recent apology from the Alabama Supreme Court. When: November 19th @ 2 pm RSVP to Seth Pen 256-604-8002 by November 1st. Location: 368 Whispering Pines Lane Helena Ala 35080 Sometimes the GPS will say West Blockton instead of Helena as the town in Alabama. We hope to see plenty folks there to help celebrate!!!  The Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama Receives An ApologySaturday, October 8th, 2022, each tribe in Alabama received a letter of apology from the government and the church representative of the state of Alabama. We received our letter. The apology was for the atrocities that were done to our Native people in Alabama from the time of settlers invading our land, to our removal, to the stealing of our land, harming our people and so much more. Along with the letter, our tribes were gifted a jar of dirt. This dirt came from all 67 Alabama counties where our Ancestors lived. We are all thankful for the state of Alabama acknowledging us and the hardships put on our ancestors.   Wolf Clan Makes Donation to AWCAnnually the AWC (Alabama Wildlife Center) releases rehabilitated birds at our Festival. They plan to return this year. It is a wonderful experience to see these birds released. For more information, visit their website at: https://www.alabamawildlifecenter.org/ Our Wolf Clan donates items to help support the AWC. Thanks go out to the Wolf Clan!!!  On August 12, 2022, Ron Howard presented a check to Chris Sykes, along with the other items shown in the photograph on behalf of the Wolf Clan. This year, Mr. Sykes replaced Doug Adair as the Alabama Wildlife Center's (AWC's) Executive Director. Mr. Adair, a long-time friend and supporter of our tribe, passed away unexpectedly in December 2021. The AWC participates in our yearly Festivals at no cost to the tribe. However, to show our appreciation, members of the Wolf Clan voluntarily make a small donation each year to help cover the AWC's expenses. The tribe looks forward to continuing its great relationship with the AWC under Mr. Sykes' leadership in the coming years. For additional information on the AWC, please visit its website at https://www.alabamawildlifecenter.org/  Andrew Arnold expresses his appreciation for the March 23, 2022, donation of items to support the Alabama Wildlife Center (AWC) by members of the Wolf Clan. Mr. Arnold is the Director of Education and Outreach at the AWC, and coordinates the AWC's participation in our yearly Festivals with educational displays and the release of rehabilitated birds. Members of the Wolf Clan have volunteered at the AWC for many years and additionally have made over fifty visits to the AWC to donate items similar to those shown in the photograph.
Governing Body Meeting Set for May 21stThe new Chief has called a governing body meeting for this Saturday, May 21st to begin at noon. The meeting will be held in the council house (long house) on the tribal property at 630 County Rd 1281, Falkville Alabama. There will be a great deal of business to discuss so our leaders have asked that no children be brought to the meeting. Feel free to bring a bag lunch as the meeting will take some time. The leadership ask that all who are present follow the procedures of the meeting and all come in a good way. We are all gathering together to make the tribe the best it can be, not only for ourselves, but for the generations after us. We all need to come together to make this happen. If you are a tribal citizens (active or inactive) we encourage you to fill out our online form to update your information. This will help us know the best way to send you tribal information. We suggest email, but do honor those who wish to have mail only. Please take a moment to fill out the online form or paper copy form. Here is the link: https://echotacherokee.org/citizensinformation.html We look forward to a great meeting and hope to see you there. If you cannot make the meeting, we will send out a newsletter with information via email or quarterly with the Smoke Signals created by Charlotte Hallmark.  Oakville Event in Person This oil painting that appears in this year's flyer was generously created for Oakville by artist Carol Carraway Terry and features Little Rup Bird performing a hoop dance at a past Oakville Festival. Our Blue Clan has been working closely with Anna Mullican and will have a booth set up at this event. Ms. Mullican invites all Echota Citizens to come to the event and represent our tribe. WHAT: 33rd ANNUAL OAKVILLE MULTICULTURAL INDIAN FESTIVAL
WHEN: SATURDAY, MAY 14TH, from 10 am - 5 pm WHERE: OAKVILLE INDIAN MOUNDS EDUCATION CENTER 1219 COUNTY ROAD 187 DANVILLE, AL 35619 COST: SUGGESTED DONATION OF $5 PER CAR (not per person) AGENDA: TO BE POSTED ON OAKVILLE INDIAN MOUNDS FACEBOOK PAGE ON MONDAY, MAY 9TH (https://www.facebook.com/OakvilleIndianMounds) INFORMATION: Contact Anna Mullican, Cultural Resource Specialist, on the Oakville Indian Mounds Facebook page, or via email at: [email protected] |
