This Texas Group Is Being Accused of Co-opting Indigenous Identity and Heritage

This week from the Texas Observer.

Support Independent Investigative Journalism in Texas During Our Fall Membership Drive! Help us reach 300 new members by November 10. THE LEDE   IN TEXAS, A GROUP CLAIMING TO BE CHEROKEE FACES QUESTIONS ABOUT AUTHENTICITY In this collaboration with NBC News, we looked into the Mount Tabor Indian Community, a group in Grapevine, Texas, that claims to descend from Cherokees, Choctaws, Chickasaws and Muscogees who arrived to the state in the 19th century. But the group is not officially recognized as a tribal nation by the federal government, and has been unable to document its claims.   Federally recognized tribes, including the Cherokee Nation, have accused Mount Tabor of being one of many organizations that have attempted to manufacture claims of tribal status, co-opting Indigenous identity and positioning themselves to profit from it.   From the story: "​​Cherokee people and the Cherokee Nation, we are trying to save our own culture and language and lifeways to the extent that it's left." KEEP READING View this email in your browser. MUST-READS ENVIRONMENT TEXAS IS WATERING DOWN FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDS Across Texas, water infrastructure systems have fallen into disrepair. The state needs to invest more than $60 billion in water infrastructure over the next 50 years—instead, the Legislature spent federal money on cops, jailers and cybersecurity. KEEP READING POLITICS SENATOR KEL SELIGER BECOMES THE FIRST VICTIM OF REDISTRICTING IN TEXAS Senator Ken Seliger announced last week he would not run for re-election, opening a power vacuum for Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who controls the Senate, to install the puppet of his choice. With the latest changes in redistricting, Seliger told the Observer that fellow Republicans shifted his district "maliciously" with the intent of unseating him. KEEP READING BOOK EXCERPT CRIMINAL JUSTICE 'CODE OF SILENCE' REVEALS HOW COURTS SYSTEMS PROTECT FEDERAL JUDGES ACCUSED OF MISCONDUCT The Texas Observer's senior reporter Lise Olsen debuts her new book, which illustrates how complaints are often suppressed—even in the case of a Galveston judge who sexually assaulted employees in his chambers. KEEP READING Support the Texas Observer with a tax-deductible donation or subscribe to the magazine. DONATE GET THE MAGAZINE THE ISSUE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 The Final Frontera: Elon Musk wants to go to Mars. Money, regulations, and public beaches are no object. No Other Option: Across the country, medical boards allow abusive doctors to keep seeing patients. And patients addicted to opioids keep going back.   You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. Copyright © 2021 Texas Observer, All rights reserved. Thank you for subscribing to The Texas Observer's weekly newsletter. Our mailing address is: The Texas Observer P.O. Box #6421 Austin, Texas 78762 The Texas Observer, a nonprofit, tries to save paper and money by contacting you via email.