The Blue Clan has taken on the endeavor of repairing the tribal log cabin. There are roof and porch issues that need to be resolved.  The Clan Chief James S. Is leading the fundraising with the backing of his clan. If you, or someone you know is looking to donate to a worthy cause, please consider this cause. To read the history of our cabin, click here.

​To Donate: 

This year, the At-Large and other citizens of the tribe participated in their annual  fundraiser for the Echota Cherokee Tribe’s Festival Committee. This year, the committee, which Gary P. leads, has asked that we donate to create fencing on the tribal grounds. This fencing will replace the orange plastic barricades on the tribal lands. The plastic wall barricades divide the parking area from the actual location where the festival takes place, and there are barricades around the septic tank. It is very unattractive, and Gary asked to help with beautifying the area. We were able to raise over the amount they were asking for. All monies have been forwarded to the Festival Committee.

Saturday a group of tribal citizens came together to begin the work on the grounds. These individuals were our new Chief Wooten, Michelle J., Gary P., Almon M., James S.,  Foy S., Wayne S., Timberland S., Sharon S., Dollie T. and her mom Ms. Flo. Last week we also had the Maxwell's and Donna R. helping out. We appreciate all the hard work our citizens are doing to clean up our tribal grounds and getting our office back to opening soon. 

The Festival Committee will be meeting on April 23, 2022 at noon (12). The meeting will be held in the tribal council meeting house. Anyone that would like to come is welcome!!! The Committee needs all Clan Representatives to be there and anyone that would like to help or have input. We look forward to a great meeting!!!

We would like to let you know that our tribal election ballot count was today. We wish to thank the Alabama Indian Affairs Commission for assisting us with the elections and the ballot counting. We appreciate the time they extended to our tribe. We wish to congratulate our new Chief and Vice-Chief. Our tribe is growing and we look forward to working with our new leaders for the betterment of our tribe.

L. Nancy Massey
Wolf Clan
901 6th Ave NW
Alabaster, AL 35007
L2massey @yahoo.com
Thank you for the nomination to serve our tribe in the office of Principal Chief. I look to the future as we, as a like minded group of people set aside our differences to serve, educate and strengthen our citizens. As we bind our hearts together in unity, love and dedication the future of the ECHOTA Cherokee Tribe of AL will flourish. Let your voice be heard. Every vote counts.
A confirmation vote for me to continue the term as Vice Chief by the Governing Body was held

July 31, 2021.
Motion by Rita Majors to make the position official.
Second by Misty Henderson.
Motion passed.
List of Governing Body members present: Charlotte Hallmark, Sharon Keith, Nancy Massey, Misty Henderson, Julie Schumacher, Rita Majors, Martha Gann, Hans Friedrich.
I have served on the governing body for 10 years as the Recording Clerk. (Which was previously called Recording Secretary)

I became a citizen in the early 80’s.
I have been a citizen since before we had a plot of land to call our own.
I have traveled to various venues to attend both Clan and State meetings.
I danced on the dance team until I married in 1985.
I have supported the tribe along with the Governing Body and other citizens to bring awareness of our tribe and developing our tribal property.
The tribal property has increased from the original purchase of 24. acres with an addition purchase of 25.7 acres after the original loan was paid off. We now trod on 49 + Acres of a well developed tribal complex.
The trailer was placed on the property to establish an office.
The shed was added for storage.
The bathhouse was added to meet the needs of citizens and visitors.
I have been proud to participate in the following efforts:
Work on the log cabin.
Help landscape around the bath house.
Work on Pavilion #1, which later was developed into the first meeting room, office and kitchen.
I helped along side the Governing Body members and many others with the construction design, clean up and decorating of the tribal house.
Pavilion #2, which later became the meeting house we enjoy today.
I helped along side the Governing Body members and many others with the construction design, and clean up of this project.
I gather and clean donations for the museum.
I have served on the Festival Committee.
There have been so many more additions to our complex. I know I haven’t been involved with everything but I have truly enjoyed seeing us all work together and use our gifts and talents that the good Lord has given us to grow our complex into such a beautiful campus thus far.
I support the tribe with donations to the gift shop and office.
I participate in the tribal festival both here at present on our tribal grounds and at other locations in the past.
I travel to other festivals and Pow Wows encouraging wholesome family gatherings, education and unity.
I have served as Secretary of the
Wolf Clan.
I am a full time bus driver for the Alabaster city School System, and have done so for 20 years.
I have passed the background check necessary for the school system.
I am randomly drug tested at my job.
I help coordinate buses for the field trip schedule at THS and have done this for 10 years.
I also have a substitute teachers certificate. I work through Kelly Services to fill positions at Thompson High School-9-12-grade.
I am a member of The Alabaster Church of God, where I am on the Praise Team and I’m a substitute Sunday School Teacher.
I help with the food bank at ACOG.
I have attended ACOG for 30 years.
I was wife to Yogi Massey for 33 years until he went to be with the Lord in Sept. 2018. I have 5 children, 5 grandchildren and 1 great grand child.
I served 3 years total in the ACESP. One year as secretary and two as as Vice President.
I am an avid crafter and artisan. I design and create jewelry as well as many other items. Vending from my unique portable jewelry cabin.
I promote and encourage strong, peaceful and harmonious relationships with tribal citizens. Everyone is welcome…We are ECHOTA.

My goal for the tribe as Principal Chief.
To be implemented over a 8-12 month period. All citizens are encouraged to offer your opinions, services and to
volunteer. In this phase of growth and change no disrespect, rude behavior, gossip or bullying will be tolerated. There has been quite enough of that and it will not be allowed to continue amongst our people.

Month 1-3
Assess the condition of the tribe as a whole.
Establish a membership board. That will include a Governing Body member. This board will be reviewing personal information and members will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement due to the sensitive personal information on the applications. Expulsion from the tribe is a possible punishment for violating the confidentiality agreement. This board will review files and determine why cards haven’t been mailed out. The report will be presented to the Governing Body. When approved it will then and only then be presented to the tribal citizens. The members of this board may be required to submit to a back ground check.
I welcome everyone to get involved. We must move forward in unity.
The locks will be rekeyed and the codes changed to prevent unauthorized individuals from having access to the buildings.
Meet with the Governing Body on April 9, 2022. Go over the By-Laws to reinforce duties, share concerns and take recommendations. Clarify all questionable sections. Confidentiality Agreements will be signed and placed on file in the tribal office. This board is a representation for all clans, out of state citizens and our tribe as a whole. Delegation of board duties and expectations of each Governing Body board member will be reviewed. I realize being on The Governing Body is not a paid position however to sit on the Governing Body is a privilege given due to the respect and confidence your clan members and officers have in you.
Compile a financial statement for review and have available for qualified tribal citizens.
Take applications from individuals interested in working in the Tribal office, Gift shop, Museum, web page and public relations of the tribe. These individuals may be required to submit to a back ground check. This application will be ready for distribution on April 9th.
A US post office box will be established in Alabaster for my access for communication purposes. This will not take the place of the tribal P. O. Box. It is simply a safe secure place for individuals to be able to send correspondence. I will be paying for this box. I included this now for transparency. I will have a key. A key will be kept in the tribal office. A named individual will hold the 3rd key. (If 3 keys are issued). I live in Alabaster.
Required forms will be organized and stored in a secure place in the tribal office for review for qualified citizens and authorities, if they are not already available for review.
Cut unnecessary expenses.
​
Months 4-8
Establish a finance board that will include a Governing Body member to keep a check and balance system for our finances. This board will be established solely to track expenses and report irregularities and detailed expenses of the tribe. This is not a paid position. The report will be presented to the Governing Body. When approved it will then and only then be presented to the tribal citizens. That will hopefully eliminate individuals from spreading panic about the tribes solvency. A confidentiality agreement will be required to be signed by each board member with expulsion from the tribe as a possible punishment for violating the agreement. These individuals may be required to submit to a back ground check. Trust is vital and Misinformation is poisonous.
Build a competent office staff of volunteers to operate the tribal office during set business hours. A confidentiality agreement will be required to be signed by each volunteer working in the tribal office. Expulsions from the tribe is a possible punishment for violating the agreement. These individuals may be required to submit to a back ground check. A sponsor from the Governing Body will oversee process.
Place a representative to the out of state citizens that has the tribe at heart not just growing numbers but educating, acknowledging and including them in our tribal news and Cherokee culture.
Develop a zoom group to: Include our meetings, exchange official information, share ideas, take recommendations and to build relationships with tribal citizens.
This resource will be sponsored by a minimum of one Governing Body member, a citizen sponsor to help coordinate and set up this resource and 2 citizens to support the group to share the scheduling and approval of material to be covered. This group will be set up under a trial basis. At any point lack of participation or the zoom program becomes less than a resource beneficial to the tribe it may be terminated.
Develop a welcome/information center for campus visitors. Accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A sponsor from the Governing Body will oversee this project volunteers are encouraged/needed to participate to make it a success.
Establish a grounds team that has access to tools to keep our campus looking its best. There will be a sign out and in sheet for documentation on who removed, used and returned tools. A detailed policy/procedure/use agreement to be signed and returned to the tribal office will need to be developed so individuals know what is required to use tribal tools and equipment.
A service sheet for the equipment and tools will be posted in the shed to ensure upkeep and maintenance on these items. A sponsor from the Governing Body will oversee this team.
A directory of tribal citizens that have businesses or offer services to utilize will be composed. A sponsor from the Governing Body will oversee this directory to keep it up to date.
Tribal citizens will be offered the opportunity to do the work that is resourced out whenever possible on paid jobs needed by the tribe.
Bids, bonding and brotherhood will be encouraged.
Volunteers for classes and skills to be taught will be encouraged. Disrespect, rude behavior will not be tolerated. We should share our knowledge and skills in a positive teaching environment. No talking down to anyone due to their lack of understanding or knowledge of the class being taught. We all have to start somewhere. Knowledge is power…let’s empower our people. A sponsor from the Governing Body will oversee this project.
This process may seem extreme however when goals are set and expectations are put in place we know what we can expect of others and declare what can be expected from us.
We are all ECHOTA. We are a like minded people. Growth and unity go hand in hand. We are not split despite this being an election year. Whoever is our next Principal Chief will need support, respect, encouragement, help and prayers. I would appreciate your vote and future support.
Respect the position even if your first choice does not prevail. This is not a win loose election…it is a restructuring. Look to the future, learn from the past and walk a clear path today.
We are all ECHOTA.
Blessings.
I am adding this 12/14 to make something perfectly clear…it is not my intention to purge the tribe. Removal from the tribe is the absolute last resort. When job duties are explained along with the severity of misinformation or misuse of information to bring harm to the tribe or an individual it will be dealt with. Documentation including a written complaint will be required. This will be presented to the GB upon which time the follow up will be determined. Telling lies, twisting the truth, being disrespectful, spreading rumors needs to stop. Unity, truth, honor and love will mend the heart and bring peace.

Respect the position even if your first choice dies not prevail. This is not a win loose election…it is a restructuring. Look to the future, learn from the past and walk a clear path today.
We are all ECHOTA.
Blessings.
Nancy Massey