Poarch Stories

Today, we’re continuing our conversation about the Consolidated School. James and Benjamin Colbert join us to discuss their time attending various schools. From learning how to read and write to learning basic Alabama history, Benjamin reminisces about his time at the Consolidated Schoolhouse.

Today, we’re continuing our conversation about the Consolidated School. Sheila Odem joins us to discuss her time attending the Consolidated School and how it differs from school life today. We listen in as she reminisces about “the good ole days”.

Today, we’re continuing our conversation about the Consolidated School. Ronnie Jackson and Kent McGhee join us to discuss her time attending the Consolidated School and how it differs from school life today. The two men reminisce about their time in school, from their first jobs to what they’re doing now.

Today, we’re continuing our conversation about the Consolidated School. Maxine Lassiter joins us to discuss her time attending the Consolidated School and how it differs from school life today. We listen in as she reminisces about her early years attending school to becoming the school’s bus driver.

In the 1940s, Escambia County opened the Poarch Consolidated School to provide Indian children with a “separate but equal” education.

Today, Ethel Walker and Eloise Hall join hosts Billy Baily, Brandy Chunn and Blake Crook to continue the conversation about education in the Poarch Creek community.  The two women share stories about their experiences in the Poarch Consolidated School. They reminisce not only about their school but also their memories of growing up in the Poarch Creek Community.

Education is one of the most important things to the Poarch Creek people. But it wasn’t always easy. Segregation and poverty were just two things the Poarch Creek people had to contend with as they strived for quality education.

Today, Lori Sawyer joins hosts Billy Baily, Brandy Chunn, and Blake Crook to discuss the long and sometimes complicated history of education in the Poarch Creek community. We learn about how the Tribe’s perseverance helped pave the way for students today.

For this episode, the PBCI Tribal Historic Preservation Office interviewed Dr. Gregory Waselkov, a retired professor of archeology for the University of South Alabama. He shared his knowledge on Creek history from first contact with Europeans up to the Creek War, primarily focusing on trade between the Creeks and the Europeans.

In this episode, we discuss the time period after Creeks were removed from Alabama. Our Poarch Creek ancestors were able to utilize the land, which provided everything they needed for survival. We dive into how the cattle and timber industry gave our ancestors a glimpse into the outside world.

From Baptist to Pentecostal to Episcopal, The Tribe has always had a strong connection to Christianity. Though the Poarch community was so small when all of these denominations got their start, they were still able to thrive. Their success was due, in part, to each denomination leader’s willingness to allow the religion to adapt to the Poarch community’s way of life.