The Forgotten Creeks

“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.

More than two years in the making, this documentary was produced by Jacksonville State University’s Longleaf Studios and is being aired on Alabama Public Television. The trailer and full documentary can be seen below. If you are interested in hosting a screening of the Forgotten Creeks, please fill out our screening request form and a member of our team will follow up with you soon.

Forgotten Creeks Trailer:

“When you belong to something you hold it dear to your heart.” The Forgotten Creeks documentary trailer provides a brief glimpse into the struggles and determination of The Poarch Band of Creek Indians that ultimately led them to become a sovereign nation and Alabama’s only federally recognized Native American tribe.

Forgotten Creeks Full-Length Documentary:

Jackson State University produced the Emmy award-winning Forgotten Creeks documentary that originally aired on Alabama Public Television. The documentary recalls the history of Alabama’s Creek Indians from Spanish contact in the 1500’s up to modern times after the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Determined leaders fought to reclaim their lost culture. The result was recognition in the form of sovereignty and the beginning of a success story built on education, family values, and preservation of culture. Of the 574 federally recognized sovereign nations in the United States, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians is Alabama’s only federally recognized Native American tribe.