Acknowledgements

It was a great day in Alabama when the month of November was officially recognized as American Indian Heritage Month.

On Saturday, October 8, 2022, each of the tribes in the state received a formal letter of apology from the State of Alabama and its church representatives, and our tribe was honored to be among those acknowledged. The apology addressed the many injustices committed against Native people in Alabama, including the invasion of our ancestral lands by settlers, forced removal, the loss of our homelands, and the suffering endured by our people. Along with the letter, each tribe was presented with a symbolic gift—a jar of soil gathered from all 67 counties in Alabama—representing the lands where our ancestors once lived and thrived. This meaningful gesture serves as a reminder of our deep roots in Alabama, and we are grateful for the State’s effort to recognize our history and honor the resilience of our people.

In addition, the Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama is doing its part to care for the land by helping keep our roads and highways free of litter, continuing our tradition of respect and stewardship for the places our ancestors once called home.