Native American tribes in Texas explained

Native American tribes in Texas are the Native American tribes who are currently based in Texas and the Indigenous peoples of the Americas who historically lived in Texas.

Many individual Native Americans, whose tribes are headquartered in other states, reside in Texas. The Texas Historical Commission by law consulted with the three federally recognized tribes in Texas and as well as 26 other federally recognized tribes headquartered in surrounding states.^[1]

In 1986, the state formed the Texas Commission for Indian Affairs, later renamed the Texas Indian Commission,^[2] to manage trust lands and assist three federally recognized tribes headquartered in Texas. However, the commission was dissolved in 1989.^[3]

Federally recognized tribes

Texas has three federally recognized tribes.^[1] They have met the seven criteria of an American Indian tribe:

1. being an American Indian entity since at least 1900
2. a predominant part of the group forms a distinct community and has done so throughout history into the present
3. holding political influence over its members
4. having governing documents including membership criteria
5. members having ancestral descent from historic American Indian tribes
6. not being members of other existing federally recognized tribes
7. not being previously terminated by the U.S. Congress.^[4]

The three federally recognized tribes in Texas are:

• Alabama–Coushatta Tribes of Texas, originally from Tennessee and Alabama
• Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, originally from the Great Lakes
• Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo of Texas^[5] originally from New Mexico.

These three tribes are served by the Southern Plains Regional Office of the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs located in Anadarko, Oklahoma.^[6]

American Indian reservations

These are three Indian Reservations in Texas:

• Alabama–Coushatta Reservation, in Polk County, Texas
• Kickapoo Reservation, in Maverick County, Texas
• Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, in El Paso County, Texas.

State-recognized tribes

State-recognized tribes do not have the government-to-government relationship with the United States federal government that federally recognized tribes do. Texas has "no legal mechanism to recognize tribes," as journalists Graham Lee Brewer and Tristan Ahtone wrote.^[7] The Texas Commission for Indian Affairs, later Texas Indian Commission, only dealt with the three federally recognized tribes and did not work with any state-recognized tribes before being dissolved in 1989.^[2] Texas has no state-recognized tribes.^[8]

Several groups have claimed to be state-recognized based on congratulatory resolutions; however, "Resolutions are statements of opinions and, unlike bills, do not have the force of law."^[9] For example, the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas were honored in Texas Senate Resolution 438 in 2009^[10] and Texas State Concurrent Resolution 61^[11] and Texas House Concurrent Resolution 171, both in 2019.^[12]

Texas Senate Bill 274 to formally recognize the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas, introduced in January 2021, died in committee,^[13] as did Texas Senate Bill 231 introduced in November 2022.^[14] Texas Senate Bill 1479, introduced in March 2023, and Texas House Bill 2005, introduced in February 2023, both to state-recognize the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation also died in committee.^{[15] [16]}

Historical tribes of Texas

These are some of the tribes that have existed in what is now Texas. Many were forcibly removed to Indian Territory, now Oklahoma, in the 19th century, and few to New Mexico or Louisiana.^[1] Others no longer exist as tribes but may have living descendants.

• Adai people, formerly eastern Texas^[17]
• Apache people, western Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma

• Lipan Apache, southwest

• Salinero, formerly west^[18]

• Teya, formerly Panhandle^[19]

• Vaquero, also Querecho, formerly northwestern Texas, possible ancestral Apache people^[20]
• Aranama,^[21] formerly southeast
• Atakapa, formerly Gulf Coast^[22]

• Akokisa, formerly Galveston Bay, Gulf Coast^[22]

• Bidai, formerly Trinity River, Gulf Coast^[22]

• Deadose, formerly southeast^[23]

• Patiri, formerly San Jacinto River^[22]
• Biloxi, formerly Neches River in the 19th century,^[24] now Louisiana
• Caddo, formerly eastern Texas, now Oklahoma^[25]

• Cacachau, formerly eastern, now Oklahoma^[25]

• Eyeish, formerly eastern, now Oklahoma^[25]

• Hainai, formerly eastern, now Oklahoma

• Kadohadacho, formerly northeast, now Oklahoma^[25]

• Nabedache, formerly eastern, now Oklahoma^[25]

• Nabiti, formerly eastern, now Oklahoma^[25]

• Nacogdoche, formerly eastern, now Oklahoma^[25]

• Nacono, formerly eastern, now Oklahoma^[25]

• Nadaco, formerly eastern, now Oklahoma^[25]

• Nanatsoho, formerly Red River, now Oklahoma^[25]

• Nasoni (Upper), formerly Red River, now Oklahoma^[25]

• Natchitoches, formerly Red River, now Oklahoma^[25]

• Nechaui, formerly eastern, now Oklahoma^[25]

• Neche, formerly eastern, now Oklahoma^[25]

• Comanche, formerly north and west, now Oklahoma
• Coahuiltecan, formerly southern

• Comecrudo, formerly southern^[26]

• Ervipiame, formerly south and central Texas^[27]

• Geier, formerly south central^[28]

• Pajalat, formerly central^[29]

• Pastia, formerly south-central^[30]

• Payaya, formerly south-central^[31]

• Quepano, formerly south-central^[32]

• Unpuncliegut, formerly south coast^[33]

• Xarame, formerly south-central^[34]
• Dotchetonne, formerly northeastern^[35]
• Escanjaque Indians, formerly north-central^[36]
• Jumano, formerly southwestern^[37]
• La Junta, formerly west
• Karankawa, formerly south coast^[38]
• Kiowa, formerly panhandle,^[39] now Oklahoma
• Manso, formerly west^[40]
• Quems, formerly southwest^[41]
• Quicuchabe, formerly west^[42]
• Quide, formerly west^[43]
• Suma, formerly west, joined Apaches^[44]
• Teyas, Panhandle^[45]

• Tonkawa, formerly southeast,^[39] now Oklahoma

• Mayeye, formerly south^[46]

• Yojuane, formerly east-central^[47]
• Wichita, formerly north-central,^[39] now Oklahoma

• Kichai, formerly north, now Oklahoma^[48]

• Taovaya, formerly north in the 19th century, now Oklahoma^[49]

• Tawakoni, formerly north and east in the 19th century, now Oklahoma^[50]

• Waco, formerly north, now Oklahoma^[51]

Contemporary tribes headquartered outside of Texas

Descendants of the tribes with historical ties to Texas that are now headquartered in surrounding states are:

• Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma^[1]
• Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town,^[1] Oklahoma
• Apache Tribe of Oklahoma^[1]
• Caddo Nation,^[1] Oklahoma
• Cherokee Nation,^[1] Oklahoma
• Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes,^[1] Oklahoma
• Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma^[1]
• Comanche Nation,^[1] Oklahoma
• Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana^[1]
• Delaware Nation,^[1] Oklahoma
• Jena Band of Choctaw Indians,^[1] Louisiana
• Jicarilla Apache Nation,^[1] New Mexico
• Kialegee Tribal Town,^[1] Oklahoma
• Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma^[1]
• Mescalero Apache Tribe,^[1] New Mexico
• Muscogee (Creek) Nation,^[1] Oklahoma
• Osage Nation,^[1] Oklahoma
• Quapaw Nation,^[1] Oklahoma
• Seminole Nation of Oklahoma^[1]
• Shawnee Tribe,^[1] Oklahoma
• Thlopthlocco Tribal Town,^[1] Oklahoma
• Tonkawa Tribe,^[1] Oklahoma
• Tunica-Biloxi Tribe,^[1] Louisiana
• United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians,^[1] Oklahoma
• Wichita and Affiliated Tribes,^[1] Oklahoma

Unrecognized organizations

More than 30 organizations claim to represent historic tribes within Texas; however, these groups are unrecognized, meaning they do not meet the minimum criteria of federally recognized tribes^[5] and are not state-recognized tribes.^[52] Some of these cultural heritage groups form 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.

See also

• • Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains
• Aridoamerica cultures

External links

• Tribal Contacts, Texas Historical Commission
• American Indians, Texas State Historical Society
• "What happened to Native American tribes that once existed in North Texas? Curious Texas investigates", Dallas Morning News

Notes and References

1. Web site: Tribal Consultation Guidelines . Texas Historical Commission . 16 July 2024.
2. Web site: Texas Indian Commission . Texas Sunset Advisory Commission . 16 July 2024 . 1 . April 1988.
3. Web site: Wunder . John R. . Texas Indian Commission . Texas State Historical Association . 26 May 2022.
4. Web site: Newland . Bryan . Federal Tribal Recognition . Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs . US Department of the Interior . 23 November 2021 . 30 April 2022.
5. Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior . Indian Entities Recognized by and Eligible To Receive Services From the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs . Federal Register . 30 April 2022 . 86 FR 7554 . 7554–58 .
6. Web site: Tribes Served by the Southern Plains Region . Indian Affairs . U.S. Department of the Interior . 16 July 2024.
7. News: Brewer . Graham Lee . Ahtone . Tristan . In Texas, a group claiming to be Cherokee faces questions about authenticity . 30 April 2022 . NBC News . 27 October 2021.
8. Web site: State Recognized Tribes . National Conference of State Legislatures . 30 April 2022.
9. Web site: Bills and Resolutions . Governmental Relations . University of Houston System . 16 July 2024.
10. Web site: Bill: SR 438 . History . Texas Legislature Online . 16 July 2024.
11. News: Texas Senate Concurrent Resolution 61 . 16 July 2024 . LegiScan . 4 June 2019.
12. Web site: HCR 171 . History . Texas Legislature Online . 16 July 2024 . 25 May 2019.
13. Web site: Texas Senate Bill 274 . TX SB274, 2021-2022, 87th Legislature . LegiScan . 30 April 2022.
14. Web site: Texas Senate Bill 231. LegiScan . 26 February 2024.
15. Web site: Texas Senate Bill 1479 . LegiScan . 26 February 2024.
16. Web site: Texas House Bill 2005 . LegiScan . 26 February 2024.
17. Web site: Los Adeas . Texas Beyond History . 1 May 2022.
18. Web site: Campbell . Thomas N. . Salinero Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
19. Web site: Anderson . H. Allen . Teya Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
20. Web site: Campbell . Thomas N. . Vaquero Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
21. Web site: Campbell . Thomas N. . Aranama Indiams . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022 . 1 June 1995.
22. Web site: Wilhelm . Kerri . The Akokisa and the Atakapans . Texas Archaeological Research Laboratory . 10 February 2015 . University of Texas, Austin . 1 May 2022.
23. Web site: Campbell . Thomas N. . Deadose Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
24. Web site: Biesele . Megan . Biloxi Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
25. Book: Rogers . J. Daniel . Sabo III . George . Caddo . Fogelson . Raymond D. . Handbook of North American Indians: Southeast, Vol. 14 . 2004 . Smithsonian Institution . Washington, DC . 0-16-072300-0 . 617.
26. Web site: Campbell . Thomas N. . Comecrudo Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
27. Web site: Campbell . Thomas N. . Ervipiame Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
28. Web site: Campbell . Thomas N. . Geier Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
29. Web site: Campbell . Thomas N. . Pajalat Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
30. Web site: Campbell . Thomas N. . Pastia Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
31. Web site: Campbell . Thomas N. . Payaya Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
32. Web site: Campbell . Thomas N. . Quepano Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
33. Web site: Campbell . Thomas N. . Unpuncliegut Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
34. Web site: Campbell . Thomas N. . Xarame Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
35. Web site: Campbell . Thomas N. . Dotchetonne Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
36. Web site: Campbell . Thomas N. . Escanjaque Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
37. Web site: Hickerson . Nancy P. . Jumano Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
38. Web site: Karankawa Indians . Calhoun County Museum . 1 May 2022.
39. Book: DeMallie . Raymond J. . Key to Tribal Territories . Handbook of North American Indians: Plains, Vol. 13, part 2 . 2001 . Smithsonian Institution . Washington, DC . 0-16-050400-7 . ix.
40. Web site: Campbell . Thomas N. . Manso Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
41. Web site: Campbell . Thomas N. . Quems Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
42. Web site: Campbell . Thomas N. . Quicuchabe Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
43. Web site: Quide Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
44. Web site: Campbell . Thomas N. . Suma Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
45. Web site: Anderson . H. Allen . Teya Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
46. Web site: Campbell . Thomas N. . Mayeye Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
47. Web site: Campbell . Thomas N. . Yojuane Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
48. Web site: Sanchez . Joe . Kichai . Oklahoma Historical Society . 1 May 2022.
49. Web site: Jelks . Edward B. . Taovaya Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
50. Web site: Krieger . Margery H. . Tawakoni Indians . Texas State Historical Association . 1 May 2022.
51. Web site: Pool . Carolyn Garrett . Waco . Oklahoma Historical Society . 1 May 2022.
52. Web site: State Recognized Tribes . National Conference of State Legislatures . 6 November 2021.