Miss Indian Alabama Meets the GovernorWe are pleased to announce that the Governor of Alabama, Ms. Kay Ivey, signed the proclamation for Miss Indian Alabama. Reagan Bonner is a tribal citizen of the Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama.
New Benches Donated to the Tribe We extend a huge thank you to Deer Clan member, Gary P. for the new benches at the tribal grounds. They are a great addition to our tribal buildings.
 Work on Tribal GroundsWork continues on the tribal grounds monthly. We are cleaning up the walking trails, around our tribal buildings and more. Many thanks to those who come out to help.
Our Deepest SympathiesWe would like to extend our deepest condolences to Elmer Eugene Godsey’s family. He passed away May 29th. Elmer Eugene Godsey, age 86 of Bear Creek, Alabama passed away Saturday, May 29, 2021 at Lakeland Community Hospital. He served in the United States Army, was a member and former President of the Haleyville Historical Society and a member of Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama. Visitation will be Sunday, May 30, 2021 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Pinkard Funeral Home, Haleyville, AL. Graveside service will be 2:30 p.m. at Winston Memorial Cemetery with Alan Atkins officiating. Mr. Godsey is survived by family members, Rickey (Liz) Godsey and Kenneth (Margaret) Ward. He is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Annie Lee Godsey; and his wife, Betty Tidwell Godsey. The Echota Cherokee at The DARS Heritage Festival
The Athens John Wade Keyes Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) hosted a Heritage Festival benefiting the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives at the new museum, on Sunday afternoon, May 23rd. Several Alabama State lineage societies were present to inform interested attendees of their society's purpose and requirements for membership. In addition, The Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama was represented. A team of genealogists were available to demonstrate the approach used to do ancestral research. An array of talent entertained with patriotic vocal and instrumental renditions and dance routines. The event was a fun-filled, educational, patriotic, and historic afternoon. To see the Sons of the American Revolution Post and Retreat the Colors was an unforgettable, moving experience. Best of all, the new Alabama Veterans Museum was open for all to enjoy, as well! Citizens attending were Almon & Rita M., Dennis W., Hans F. & Maria D.  Paint Clan Meeting Osiyo, The next Paint Clan meeting will be May 15, 2021 at 12:00 noon at the Historic Train Depot in Guntersville, Alabama. Lets try and learn some Cherokee language this Saturday. I will also dig up some more elderberry plants to bring for those that missed them last meeting or are having trouble getting them to live. I am still finding an abundance of dandelion, crossvine has already bloomed early, mullein is emerging, smilax shoots are above ground, and this cool, wet weather should kick start a few tried and true mushrooms such as chanterelles and turkey tails. There is no mailing address to the museum, but it is very easy to find. It is located at the corner of Blount Ave and Greenwood St about a mile South of the big river bridge in Guntersville, and also located just behind Ross Graden Lumber that is on Blount Ave. There is a Historic Train Depot sign on Blount Ave and just follow it a couple hundred feet to the end of the road where the rail road tracks and Depot are located. Wado, Chief Reginald H. Graduating Seniors
Election Year
Deer Clan Meeting
Cancelled Clean Up Day
Echota Tribe Looking for VendorsThis years festival of The Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama will be celebrating our 3rd year having our festival/powwow on our tribal grounds. This years event will be held September 25 & 26th. We are currently looking for vendors for our festival. If you are interested in being a vendor the cost is $200 for a food vendor and $100 for a merchandise vendor. Contact Information: Dennis Wooten, Festival Coordinator: 205.945.5616 Tribal Office (message): 256.734.7337 Feel free to print off the application(s) below, fill it out and follow the instructions in the application of where/who to send it too. Benefits of Being a Tribal Citizens of |
 | Condolences to the Parsons Family It is with great remorse to inform our citizens that we lost one of our elders, Wolf Clan Barry Parsons on April 9, 2021. The funeral will be Tuesday, April 13th at 2 pm. It will be held at Adger Cemetary. Viewing for the family will be at 12:00 noon and friends at 12:30 pm at the Adger Baptist Church. We extend our sincere condolences to the Parsons family at this delicate time. |
Wolf Clan Assists Homeless Veterans
At the March 13, 2021 meeting, the Wolf Clan continued its support of our veterans by donating needed items to Three Hots and A Cot. This donation continues the Wolf Clan's ongoing backing of this organization.
Three Hots and A Cot was formed by veterans to assist the homeless military veterans' transition from life on the streets into a self-sustained lifestyle. Assistance provided includes temporary housing, meals, counseling, medical, dental, and job placement services. To Learn more about Three Hots and A Cot, please visit its website at: www.cotsforvets.org. Should you wish to join the Wolf Clan in helping this organization, you may view a list of current need at: www.cotsforvets.org/needs-list.
Three Hots and A Cot was formed by veterans to assist the homeless military veterans' transition from life on the streets into a self-sustained lifestyle. Assistance provided includes temporary housing, meals, counseling, medical, dental, and job placement services. To Learn more about Three Hots and A Cot, please visit its website at: www.cotsforvets.org. Should you wish to join the Wolf Clan in helping this organization, you may view a list of current need at: www.cotsforvets.org/needs-list.
Spotlight on Deer Clan Members
 | Back on March 7, Pam K., Barbara and Dylan M., represented our Tribe at the Seventh day Adventist Church in a celebration for International Day. Pam brought a nice display of Echota Cherokee items and tools. She explained how they were used. Barbara made a traditional Cherokee meal which she shared. This consisted of a stew made with the vegetables known as our Three Sisters, corn, beans and squash. They served this along with frybread and honey water. There was a special treat of grape dumplings for dessert. All enjoyed the presentations and the meal. We hope to have more opportunities to do this kind of interacting with the public. Many thanks to Pam, Barbara and Dylan. |
Monthly Work Days on the Tribal Land
| Every first Saturday of each month is the tribal land clean up. Please come if you can. Bring your work gloves and any tools you may need. The walking trails need to be cleaned up, along with all of the grounds. The bath house/restroom building needs cleaning each month. This is a great opportunity for those seeking a scholarship. This counts towards volunteer hours. We hope to see you soon!!! |  |
Condolences to Our Tribal Families
 | Condolences to the Vann Family We sadly report of the passing of Echota Citizen Robert L. Vann, Sr. He passed on March 12th at the age of 82. Everyone called him Bob. He was the Chief of the "Deer Clan West" and worked tirelessly with the clan for many years. Bob was an active citizen and so is his family. He was a Navy Veteran. He will be truly missed. |
| Condolences to the Rucker Family It is with much sadness that we announce another Tribal Citizen has gone to walk among the stars. DeWayne Rucker of Green Cove Springs, Florida left us on March 8. He lived most of his life in Alabama and the last 28 in Florida. He worked for LNL Railroad and CSX Railroad. His wife, Rebecca made the Cherokee Masks located in the Tribal Museum and he made the display case that contain them. Both were active in the Tribe and did much for the Tribe even after moving to Florida. he will be missed. |  |
Paint Clan Announcement
By: Harry Buddha Palm
Osiyo,
The next Paint Clan meeting will be March 20, 2021 at 12:00 noon at the Historic Train Depot in Guntersville, Alabama. The March meeting will be our Plant and Seed Swap meeting, which in previous years was in April. If you haven’t already, today is a good time to get those fast germinating native or heirloom seeds in some soil for next weekend. I will be bringing egg gourd seedlings that were given to me at a previous Echota Cherokee seed swap. I will also dig up some elderberry plants to bring. Elderberry harvesting for syrup has provided my family with good health throughout the winter months. So I hope you will do the same for next year.
There is no mailing address to the museum, but it is very easy to find. It is located at the corner of Blount Ave and Greenwood St about a mile South of the big river bridge in Guntersville, and also located just behind Ross Graden Lumber that is on Blount Ave. There is a Historic Train Depot sign on Blount Ave and just follow it a couple hundred feet to the end of the road where the rail road tracks and Depot are located.
Wado,
Chief Reginald H.
The next Paint Clan meeting will be March 20, 2021 at 12:00 noon at the Historic Train Depot in Guntersville, Alabama. The March meeting will be our Plant and Seed Swap meeting, which in previous years was in April. If you haven’t already, today is a good time to get those fast germinating native or heirloom seeds in some soil for next weekend. I will be bringing egg gourd seedlings that were given to me at a previous Echota Cherokee seed swap. I will also dig up some elderberry plants to bring. Elderberry harvesting for syrup has provided my family with good health throughout the winter months. So I hope you will do the same for next year.
There is no mailing address to the museum, but it is very easy to find. It is located at the corner of Blount Ave and Greenwood St about a mile South of the big river bridge in Guntersville, and also located just behind Ross Graden Lumber that is on Blount Ave. There is a Historic Train Depot sign on Blount Ave and just follow it a couple hundred feet to the end of the road where the rail road tracks and Depot are located.
Wado,
Chief Reginald H.
Youth Spotlight
We would like to congratulate one of our youth, Aubrey L., age 12 for becoming a member of the National Junior Honor Society. She is an Echota Citizen living in Orlando, Florida. Her parents are Rob and Tracey who are Echota as well. Her grandparents Rita & Almon M. of Athens are all members of the Deer Clan.
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Pow Wow Committee Meeting
 | This Saturday, March 6th, is the second Pow Wow committee meeting and it starts at 10 A.M. The meeting will be held at the tribal grounds. I would love to see all the reps. from each Clan present. I'm hoping this year is going to be the one where all the Clan reps. will take part in. We've had very successful events in the past so I want to take this year's to the next level. We can do it because I believe in our Tribe. Chief Dennis, Event Coordinator |
Helping to Make a Difference
| Our tribal citizen, Benn M. and his wife Alfreda do many things for their community and surrounding communities. They have been running a food distribution program in California for years. In her spare time, Alfreda knits baby booties and Benn distributes them. At the moment, they have donated several boxes of these precious little booties to the Tribe to be sold in the tribal gift shop. They have also donated hundreds of booties to hospitals. If you are interested in purchasing a pair, they are $6 a pair. You can find them at our gift store on the tribal grounds. |  |
Clan News
The Deer Clan met at the tribal complex to put together socks to be delivered to the Tut Fanning Veterans Home. This annual tradition was started by the late Lucky Bates many years ago. The clan wishes to continue this tradition and the program will be under the direction of Wayne S. and Carl B.
The Paint Clan will be meeting March 20, at 12 noon at the Historic Train Depot. It will be their Plant and Seed Swap meeting.
The Wolf Clan has appointed two members of the Clan to serve on the Festival/Powwow Committee. This will be Barry P. and Eddie B. who will volunteer. They also had a guest speaker for Shelby County, Deputy Sheriff Robert. The Wolf Clan presented the Deputy with a donation that was spear headed by Ron H. The Clan donated tarps, tape measures and scissors. These are items that are needed in every car in the department. The Wolf Clan's next meeting will be the second Saturday in March. Lunch will be at 12 noon with the meeting to follow.
The Paint Clan will be meeting March 20, at 12 noon at the Historic Train Depot. It will be their Plant and Seed Swap meeting.
The Wolf Clan has appointed two members of the Clan to serve on the Festival/Powwow Committee. This will be Barry P. and Eddie B. who will volunteer. They also had a guest speaker for Shelby County, Deputy Sheriff Robert. The Wolf Clan presented the Deputy with a donation that was spear headed by Ron H. The Clan donated tarps, tape measures and scissors. These are items that are needed in every car in the department. The Wolf Clan's next meeting will be the second Saturday in March. Lunch will be at 12 noon with the meeting to follow.
Introducing Miss Indian Alabama
 | Our tribal family would like to introduce our own, Miss Indian Alabama, Reagan Bonner. She was crowned "Miss Indian Alabama" in November and will serve until November of 2021. We are very proud of her. She is 20 years old and is a Sophomore at the University of South Alabama as a Mechanical Engineering student. Megan says, " I am so thrilled to hold the title of Miss Indian Alabama for the 2021 year because of the unlimited opportunities that await me, to embrace my culture and dive into it more than I ever have before...it is truly a blessing." We look forward to seeing the wonderful things you will accomplish with this unique opportunity. |
Association on American Indian Affairs Scholarships
The site is now open to accepting scholarship applications. Here is a link to scholarships for Native American students. Make sure to watch the 3 minute video for instructions for applying. Also review the FAQ's page. It will answer questions you may have. These scholarships are open to federal and state recognized tribes.
https://www.indian-affairs.org/scholarships.html
To see more scholarship opportunities, visit our scholarship page on this website.
https://www.indian-affairs.org/scholarships.html
To see more scholarship opportunities, visit our scholarship page on this website.
Festival Committee's First Meeting to Be Held
 | The festival committee is holding its first committee meeting of 2021 on February 6th at 10 A.M. Each Clan needs to send their two representatives that they have elected to represent their Clan. The meeting will be held at the Tribal grounds. If you want to offer suggestions and contribute to the annual festival, please attend. - D.W. Event Coordinator |
Youth Spotlight for January
 | Alyssa L., age 17, is a senior at Sparkman High School. She is a passionate reader and artist. She interns at Earth to Sky and has applied for a Bachelor of Business Degree at University of the Cumberlands. Alyssa is the daughter of Ryan L. and Rhonda N. She is an Echota Citizen and is in the Paint Clan. |
Happy New Year!!!
| From the tribal government to all citizens and their families, we extend a very Happy New Year for 2021. We wish for you and yours a great year of all good things. We wish to extend a huge thank you to all who have worked with the tribe and along side the tribal government for a successful 2020. We made huge strides this last year and look forward to having greater successes in the year 2021. Let's make it a great year for all!!! |  |