The Forgotten Creeks

New JSU documentary explores the story of the Poarch band of the Creek nation from early history through the modern day.

THURSDAY, NOV. 17 at 8:30PM

To celebrate Native American Heritage month, Alabama Public Television, Jacksonville State University and the Alabama Poarch Creeks are pleased to announce a new documentary, The Forgotten Creeks, premiering Thursday, Nov. 17 at 8:30pm.  The documentary will simultaneously be available on APT's website and the PBS video app.

More than two years in the making, this documentary tells the story of the Poarch Creek people through their long and important history. It also traces how the Tribe has evolved from being an impoverished, isolated community to the independent, self-sufficient Indian nation it is today.

“We are honored that our Tribe was selected to be the subject of this documentary produced by Jacksonville State University and Alabama Public Television,” said Stephanie Bryan, Poarch Band of Creek Indians Tribal Chair. “We feel incredibly blessed to have this recounting of both our history and our lives today.”

The Forgotten Creeks recalls the history of Alabama’s Mvskoke Creek Indians from Spanish contact in the 1500’s through the Indian Removal Act of 1830. The documentary explores what happened to those Mvskoke Creeks who remained in Alabama following the Trail of Tears and documents those ensuing years of poverty, assimilation and discrimination that nearly destroyed their indigenous identity.

It also traces how finally, in 1984, after more than 40 years of unwavering advocacy by Tribal Leaders, the federal government recognized the Tribe as a sovereign, or independent, Indian nation with ancestral lands in Atmore, Alabama and elsewhere in the state. Federal recognition was the beginning of a new chapter in the Tribe’s history. Economic development brought self-sufficiency and the Tribe’s focus on educational opportunities, family values, and faith guided its transition to prosperity.

APT's Native American Heritage month celebration continues on Sunday, Nov. 20 with presentation of the 4-part PBS series Native America from 2:00 – 6:00pm followed by a second broadcast of The Forgotten Creeks.