Extensive categorization and cross-reference of all North American native american indian tribes of the US and Canada First Nations, by nations, bands, rancheria, pueblo, federally recognized, state recognized, unrecognized, petitions for recognition, by state or providence, and by language group and region of original occupation. You can also find a listing of official tribal web sites on the Internet.
TENNESSEE INDIAN TRIBES
Federal list last updated 3/07
FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBES
None
STATE RECOGNIZED TRIBES (Not recognized by the Federal Governemnt)
Tennessee Code authorized the state Commission of Indian Affairs from 1983 to 2000 and from 2003 to today (TCA 4-34-103 §6) to develop recognition criteria and to recognize tribes other than those with federal recognition. The recognition rule, TNCIA Rule 0785-1 (2007), modeled on federal recognition criteria (25 CFR 83.7), has been currently suspended by the Commission pending legislative review of the rule.
To date, Tennessee has not recognized any tribes using this process. One group was recognized in 1978 by the governor, but the state Attorney General's opinion of December 5, 1991 contends that such authority rests exclusively with the state legislature and does not consider the gubernatorial proclamation as legally valid.
In 2004 a Native American-related organization began soliciting recognition of itself as a clan on the county level, and has received some such recognition by county government resolution.
UNRECOGNIZED / PETITIONING TRIBES
Cherokees of Lawrence County, Tennessee, Sugar Creek Band of the SECCI. Letter of Intent to Petition 9/14/2000.
Chickamauga Circle Free Cherokee
Chikamaka-Cherokees
Cumberland Creek Indian Confederation
Elk Valley Council Band of Free Cherokees
Etowah Cherokee Nation.
Letter of Intent to Petition 12/31/1990; certified letter returned undeliverable 10/1997. This group's recognition is contested, and is based in Cleveland, cites a Proclamation of Recognition by the Governor of Tennessee dated May 25, 1978.
Free Cherokee Tennessee River Band Chickamauga
Kwatani Mission of Chickamuga Cherokee
Red Clay Band of Southeastern Cherokee Confederacy. Letter of Intent to Petition 3/9/1978; Declined to Acknowledge 11/25/1985 50 FR 39047.
Tennessee River Band of Chickamuga Cherokee
Tennessee River Band of Chickamuga
FIRST CONTACT TO PRESENT
The first Europeans to explore the area were led by Hernando de Soto in 1541 as part of de Soto’s futile search for gold and silver. Two later expeditions led by Juan Pardo introduced firearms and deadly European diseases to the native populations.
Both of these prompted a sharp decline in the populations of native tribes. Guns changed the way the natives hunted and battled with neighboring tribes, and made the native people dependent upon the colonial fur trade. Natives supplied deer and beaver hides to European traders in return for guns, rum and manufactured articles. Indian tribes began to be more and more impacted by European settlers and politics.
In the 150 years after de Soto first came to Tennessee, new native tribes moved into the area, defeating the less developed tribes. The Cherokee, the Chickasaw and the Shawnee tribes began to increase their influence in the area, but by 1715, the stronger Cherokee and Chickasaw had driven out the Shawnee.
PRE-CONTACT TENNESSEE TRIBES
PRE-HISTORIC CULTURES IN TENNESSEE
12,000-15,000 years ago - Paleo Indians. Humans first inhabited the land now known as Tennessee when the last of the Ice Age glaciers retreated. Early man hunted mastodon that roamed during the last Ice Age.
12,000 years ago - Archaic period.During the Archaic period, descendants of the Paleo-Indians began to settle on river terraces, where they gathered wild plant food and shellfish in addition to hunting game. The mastodons died out and they began hunting smaller game. With a more secure food supply, populations expanded rapidly.
300 BC - 1000 AD - Woodland Period of permanent houses, embellished pottery, bows and arrows, and maize and squash cultivation.
700 AD - 1300 AD - Mississippian period. The peak of prehistoric cultural development in Tennessee occurred during the Mississippian period. Cultivation of new and improved strains of corn and beans fueled a large jump in population.
1770s -Explorers including Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton violated the British Fort Stanwix treaty line, moving into Kentucky and Tennessee and establishing illegal settlements.
Humans first inhabited the land now known as Tennessee when the last of the Ice Age glaciers retreated, some 12,000-15,000 years ago. Early man hunted mastodon that roamed during the last Ice Age.
About 12,000 years ago, the region's climate began to warm and the predominant vegetation changed from conifer to our modern deciduous forests. Abundant acorns, hickory, chestnut and beech mast attracted large numbers of deer and elk. Warmer climate, the extinction of the large Ice Age mammals, and the spread of deciduous forests worked together to transform Indian society.
During what is known as the Archaic period, descendants of the Paleo-Indians began to settle on river terraces, where they gathered wild plant food and shellfish in addition to hunting game.
Sometime between 3,000 and 900 BC, natives began to cultivate plants such as squash and gourds, and could therefore depend upon a regular food supply. This caused the native population to increase, and groups of nomadic hunters began to settle into larger villages. With a more secure food supply, populations expanded rapidly and scattered bands combined to form larger villages. This period is known as the Archaic phase of north american civilization.
The next major stage of Tennessee pre-history, lasting almost 2,000 years, is known as the Woodland period. During this period, we see the introduction of pottery, the beginnings of settled farming communities, the construction of burial mounds and the growing stratification of Indian society. Native Americans in Tennessee made the transition from societies of hunters and gatherers to well-organized agriculturists.
It was at this time that groups of natives began to battle each other for territory and develop tribal identity. The construction of ceremonial temples and public structures indicate the growing role of chieftains and tribalism in Indian societies. Archaeologists have found elaborate pottery, and personal items like combs, pipes and jewelry which demonstrate the complexity of these native societies.
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