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Poarch Creek Indians, Thanksgiving Pow Wow
Native American Heritage Month — Native American Heritage Month is observed every November. (Poarch Creek Indians)

The Poarch Creek Indians, native to our beautiful state, proudly share their culture with the world, and they’ve been doing so for over 200 years.

Every November, we celebrate the rich cultural history of Indigenous peoples during Native American Heritage Month.

Keep reading for what you need to know when observing Native American history this month in Alabama.

Native American Heritage Month

Poarch Creek Indians, Thanksgiving Pow Wow — (Poarch Creek Indians)

In 1990, President George H.W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November as National American Indian Heritage Month, now called National Native American Heritage Month.

In addition, Indigenous Peoples’ Day is recognized on the second Monday of every October. Since 2021, this holiday has paid tribute to the American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians who stand as pillars of resilience.

History of the Poarch Creek Indians

The Poarch Creek Indians (PCI) are unlike many Native American tribes. They were not removed from their tribal lands and have lived together for nearly 200 years.

Now, the Tribe continues to keep both their identity and inherent right to self-govern through preserving their Tribal culture and improving their community.

Proudly calling Alabama home, PCI has journeyed from its history as a nearly forgotten people to a sovereign nation that builds success stories for all Tribal Citizens and neighbors.

Check out PCI’s economic impact, tourism and community efforts.

How we can honor Native American culture

Tour the PCI Museum—it’s open year-round in Atmore, Alabama. (Poarch Creek Indians)

Whether we’re immersed in events or seeking information through books, movie or podcasts, there are plenty of ways for us to honor the heritage of Native Americans.

Here are a few ways:

Reflect: Acknowledge the contributions of Native Americans, past and present, and deepen your understanding of their diverse cultures.
Learn: Watch The Forgotten Creeks documentary, Read Native American literature, tour the PCI museum (open year-round!) + more.
Engage: Celebrate with PCI at their biggest event of the year—the Thanksgiving Pow Wow in Atmore.

Psst, learn about the history of the Tribe through educational articles on PCI’s website all November long.