AMISTAD American Indian Tribal Affiliation Study Phase I: Ethnohistoric Literature Review

In accordance with the terms of contract number 1443PX700094C12, we identified certain federally recognized Native American tribes that could potentially have historical ties to the land of the Amistad NRA at the beginning of the contract period. A letter was prepared and signed by Superintendent Sontag, and sent to each of the tribes listed below.

At the conclusion of the study, we found that the associations of the above groups with the lands of the Amistad NRA are variable. Strong ties are held by many of these tribes. However, there was no evidence of the Pawnee in the Amistad NRA area. Moreover, we found no direct evidence that the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo had ties to the region, but, given their affiliation with a number of Apache bands, we do not exclude that possibility.

The research also indicated that several additional tribes, not on the above list, also have strong historical ties to the lands of the Amistad NRA. Among these, the Mescalero have the strongest ties. Other tribes may have ties to these lands as members of their group passed through and/or resided nearby for a period of time, particularly during the mid-nineteenth century. In addition, certain Native Americans with ties to the Amistad NRA, such as the Kickapoo, divided into separate federally recognized tribes. Each subdivision should be contacted during Phase II. At the conclusion of the ethnohistoric review, we realized that several additional tribes and groups were historically present and should be contacted. In the United States, these are the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, the Creek Nation, the Cherokee Nation, the Alabama-Coushatta Tribes, the Shawnee, and the Delaware.

Below is a list of these groups:

At least two groups that should be contacted reside in Mexico. These are the Seminole Maroons in Nacimiento, and the Kickapoo in Muzquiz, some of whom also reside near Eagle Pass. Rather than send these groups and tribes a copy of the May 1998 letter, they were sent a draft of the present study along with a cover letter explaining the study and requesting any comments they wish to provide. Again, telephone communication was made and any comments received will be addressed in the final document.

Finally, several Native American organizations have recently formed in Texas. While none of these organizations are federally recognized, they are mentioned here because some members of these groups have spoken with one of us (Kenmotsu) and stated that they may have among their members lineal descendants (as defined under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3001) of historic groups who were affiliated with the lands of the Amistad NRA. These are the The People of LaJunta (Jumano/Mescalero), Lipan Apache Band of Texas, Tap Pilam-the Coahuiltecan Nation, Comanche Penateka Tribe, and the Tribal Council of Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation of Texas. Each of these groups has submitted a letter of intent to petition the Bureau of Indian Affairs for federally recognized tribal status. We recommend that each be contacted during Phase II.