The Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation is situated in Polk County, just east of Livingston, Texas. The area has been occupied by the tribe, and its ancestors since prior to European-American settlement and prior to Texas even becoming a state. Their traditional territory has been recognized in this part of the state since the late 1700’s, and they’re welcoming you to take the trip out to the reservation to learn more about their culture, camp out at their local campground, and perhaps attend a forthcoming traditional pow-wow.
Things to Do
Culture That Runs Deep: Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas
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Two Nations, One Territory
Photo: Facebook/Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas
One of six tribes that are Federally recognized and descended from the Creek Confederacy of the Southeast, the Alabama-Coushatta are actually a combination of two nations (as the hyphenated name suggests). The Alabamas are a Southeastern people originating in Alabama (hence the naming of the state and the river, along which they traditionally resided.) The earliest acknowledgment of their name in written form came in the journals of Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto from the 1500’s. The Coushatta (or Koasati from their traditional Muskogean language) traditionally lived in present-day Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. They have long been allies of the Alabama, and post-Indian Removal efforts, are now found in only three Federally recognized tribes, one of which is this one, in Texas.
Tourism, History, Culture, & Growth
Photo: Facebook/Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas
The Reserve was formally established in 1854. Since that time, changes to their territory reflected in the additional purchase of adjacent lands expanded the reservation to encompass more than 4,000 acres (four times the original size that they were consigned to in the 1800’s). A full history of their nation’s timeline to present day development is available on their website found here. They are presently in the process of coordinating Alabama-Coushatta Day at the state capitol on February 15, in addition to which, they welcome visitors, tourists, history and culture enthusiasts, in general, to visit their territory to learn more about their community and their culture.
Camping, Fishing, & Community Events
Photo: Facebook/Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas
The Alabama-Coushatta tribe annually holds a pow-wow event in June (this year will be their 49th annual) that they welcome visitors to attend and enjoy. However they also maintain on-reserve campground facilities at which tourists can camp, relax, and enjoy fishing in their 26-acre TomBigBee Lake. If you have questions about the campground and fishing, you’re invited to contact their Band administration for more information, at the TomBigBee campground link on their website. They also have a Facebook page which they keep regularly updated with community news and events, including upcoming awareness events, fundraising pow-wows and economic and community development initiatives.
