poarch creek indians – That '70s Girl 2

Big wheels keep on turning, carry me home to see my kin. Singing songs about the southland, I miss ‘ole’ ‘bamy once again and I think it’s a sin…Sweet home Alabama, where the skies are so blue. Sweet home Alabama, Lord, I’m coming home to you.

— Sweet Home Alabama, Lynyrd Skynrd

It’s a road trip – to Alabama!

Sister and I are headed to Atmore, Alabama – home of my father’s family – home of the Poarch Creek Indians. We have some business to take care of since I’m working with the committee on a new coffee table book – Woven Together: The Story of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. We had our final review before it goes to press – a very exciting project due out at Thanksgiving during our annual Pow Wow.

Come along for the ride…

Picking up Kimberly in Terrell, Texas. She’s a good one to take on a road trip – better than me – because she had a basketful of goodies to make the long ride much more enjoyable. Take a look at her homemade banana pudding…

Now tell me, who gets banana pudding on a road trip?

We’re making progress through Shreveport, Ruston, and Monroe, Louisiana and finally hit Vicksburg and the mighty Mississippi River.

To remember the history of this great waterway is to pay homage to the growth of the United States. Going across Mississippi, you certainly can’t miss Jackson …

My daddy used to sing this one to us when we were growing up … although I’m really not much of a country & western girl.

No road trip would be complete without a stop (or two) for gasoline and those bathroom breaks. It’s amazing the older you get, the more times you have to stop. I can remember when I would drive to college in Phoenix from Dallas, and I might only have to stop one time for a bathroom break … truly. In those days, you had to stop at truck stops, and all I can say is YUCK…

Next, it’s Hattiesburg and then finally, we hit the Alabama state line. This is really hard for Kim since she’s such an Aggies fan – that’s what happens when you join the SEC.

We’ve made it to our destination staying the night at Wind Creek Casino & Hotel. As tribal members, we get a few benefits, and this is one that we take advantage of when we’re in Alabama.

We met with the committe the next day, did a little gambling at the casino, and then it was time to head back to Texas where we passed the time by doing a little Karpool Karaoke…

I’m still grieving for Aretha…

XOXO

Took away our native tongue and taught their English to our young. And all the beads we made by hand are nowadays made in Japan.

— Indian Reservation, Paul Revere & the Raiders

I’m proud to be a Native American Indian. My tribe – the Poarch Bank of the Creek Indians – is the only federally recognized tribe in Alabama, and remained in and around Atmore, Alabama despite the Indian Removal Act of 1830 – the Trail of Tears.

Kimberly McGhee Long * Lisa McGhee Morris * Amy McGhee Ochs

What’s even more remarkable about the Poarch Creek Indians is that we have a woman as our leader, Chairwoman and CEO Stephanie Bryan, my cousin on the Presley side. (YES – that’s like in Elvis Presley!)

Kimberly McGhee Long * Stephanie Abney Bryan * Amy McGhee Ochs

Through gaming and wise economic development, the Poarch Creek Indians have thrived. My paternal grandmother, Earnie Mae Rolin McGhee Barney and great aunt, Ida Bell Rolin Brown, would be so proud of all the tribe has accomplished. They worked hard and did their part to get us to this point of prosperity.

Click on the link here or below, and check out this short video on the Poarch Creek Indians- it will give you chills.

Screen Shot 2018-05-15 at 7.53.51 PM — Poarch Creek Indians

mvto (pronounced: muh-toh; Muskogee Creek means thank you)