who we are
About the Machis Tribe
Ma-Chis Lower Creek Indian Tribe of Alabama (Ma-Chis Nation) citizens are remnants of the “Creek Confederacy” as European Explorers knew it at the first contact with white settlers during the European expansion into what is now the southeastern part of the United States of America. This area of America was inhabited by the Muskogee language speaking Native Americans and was also known as “friendlies” and, of the “Five Civilized Tribes”.
We loved our homeland to the extent of denying that we were Indians, and blended with the “settlers,” instead of being relocated to the west during forced removal under the Indian Removal Act of the 1830’s.
Around 100 hundred years later the United States of America gave citizenship to Native Americans, and in 1927/1929 the State of Alabama passed a law making it unlawful to kill Native Americans. (Yes, the dates are correct. Until this time span, Native Americans were considered subhuman, and it took an act by the Alabama Legislature to make the killing of a Native American unlawful).
After the passage of the Civil Rights Act of the 1960’s, the Native American Civil Rights Act was made law by the United States of America. Then in the 1980’s the State of Alabama formally recognized seven Native American Tribes and formed the Alabama Indian Affairs Commission to have the “Government to Government” relation between the tribes and governments.
Today, as our tribe works to earn self-sufficiency, the U. S. Small Business Administration has certified us as 8(a) SDB (Small Disadvantaged Business). This certification will allow us to bid government contracts and earn money as we put our people to work through teamwork, joint ventures, joint ownership, etc.
We are a God fearing nation, anti gaming, active in historical preservation with the Samson Museum Commission in Samson, Alabama along with our world-class collection of biblical manuscripts, which include a “TORAH” (Books of Moses) scroll some 1100 years old. This Torah is important to both our spiritual culture and Tribe. The Torah is written in the original Hebrew text, before multiple translations and retranslations presented the opportunity for man to impose his interpretation on the Word of God. Our Torah, donated to the Tribe, is one of the most complete, as well as best artifact known in existence today. With the history of interpretation being spotty at best, our Torah is one of a very select few that is considered the original Word of God.
Also “Helping Hands of Ma-Chis Nation” is one of the assistance programs that help people in need through charity and volunteers. This type of unfailing commitment, by devoted tribal members, is driving this tribe to a successful leadership position for our tribe, community, state, and nation.
Part of our ceremonial duties have included unveiling historical markers, welcoming ceremonials, being part of the “Native American Heritage Day/Columbus Day” Celebration which allowed the State of Alabama to be the first State to redesignate Columbus Day in recognition for the Native Americans, and we were participants in the 2004 grand opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of Native Americans that is located on the mall next to the U.S. Capital in Washington.
On May 5, 2001, Fort Mitchell had a homecoming for the Creek Indians. It was the first welcome for the Creek Indians since the Indian Removal Act of the 1830’s. Chief Wright got a delegation together from the Ma-Chis Lower Creek Indian Tribe of Alabama to be present at the Official Ceremonial to represent the Creek Indians that did not leave Alabama. This delegation represented the Indians who mixed with the settlers and denied their heritage in order to stay in their homeland.
After some 140 years, we were recognized by the State of Alabama as Native Americans, and the State commissioned the “Alabama Indian Affairs Commission” to serve the Native Americans in Alabama.
