Back “Poarch” Politics: States, “States,” and Indigenous Sovereignty in Alabama

Abstract

AbstractThe Poarch Band of Creek Indians provides a complex look into the negotiation of heritage from a tribal nation. While Poarch operates a successful gaming business, Alabama has not been supportive of this exertion of sovereignty, particularly given its location in the Bible Belt. While Poarch has always operated legally under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (1988), Alabama has often attempted to deny the Poarch Creeks the rights to gaming that it may freely grant business owners with relationships to state government officials. Given that scholars have argued that there is a shift toward heritage “as a discourse and system of values” (Geismar 78), this paper explores how Poarch has differentiated their system of values from others seeking to operate gaming facilities in Alabama. Through the examination of the PR campaigns put forth by the tribe this paper will consider how each of these examples has contributed to showcasing Poarch Creek heritage and the Poarch Creek system of values to the larger Alabama public. I argue that the Poarch Creeks have been forced to present a type of heritage and values that are palatable in larger Alabamian politics and able to sway public opinion, particularly of the religious right.