Timber as Currency
by Nolan Green
Thesis
Since being granted stewardship and timber rights to the land encompassing their reservation, the Alabama-Coushatta tribe has become fiscally successful and culturally wealthy from proper management of their natural resources.
Alabama-Coushatta and Timber: A Brief History
The Alabama and Coushatta tribes have long been working in the timber industry since the early nineteenth century because of their close residency to the Big Thicket woods/nature preserve. This tradition continued as the two tribes merged in 1859 on the Polk County reservation. [1] As more and more rights were being given to the tribe by the National Government, talks between then Governor Allan Shivers and Andrew Battise emerged in 1951, suggesting the possibility of a Forestation program in which the Alabama-Coushatta could cut timber with the speculation that 75% of the revenue would be put towards purchasing more tribal land. [2]
It wasn't until 1957 when the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe was granted stewardship and management of the woodland (and mineral rights) that existed on their reservation. There were stipulations placed on the tribe's management of the woodland however. They Alabama-Coushatta were required to work closely with the Texas Forest Service in the proper togging techniques as to not quick cut and not give the timber enough time to regrow. [2][3][4]
This continued attention to proper harvesting technique led to the state of Texas awarding the tribe the top award in forest conservation in 1971. More impressive, this award came at a time when the timber industry was struggling. [4]
As of 2000, the Alabama-Coushatta reservation consists of over 4500 acres that is classified under Federal Trust, 90% of which is commercial forest land which the tribe manages, leases or harvests themselves. This trust falls in between Federally managed trusts and privately owned land, the latter making up 92% of all timberland. [3][5]
Crucial to the Alabama-Coushatta's culture and economy are their longleaf pine baskets. These baskets are made out of the needles of a very specific tree that exists around the area of the reservation. As well as the tribe has managed their lumber harvesting, there was only an estimated one acre of Longleaf pines on the Alabama-Coushatta reservation and the tribe's members were forced to travel off campus to harvest these needles. This forced the tribe to create the WHIP program. [6]
It wasn't until 1957 when the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe was granted stewardship and management of the woodland (and mineral rights) that existed on their reservation. There were stipulations placed on the tribe's management of the woodland however. They Alabama-Coushatta were required to work closely with the Texas Forest Service in the proper togging techniques as to not quick cut and not give the timber enough time to regrow. [2][3][4]
This continued attention to proper harvesting technique led to the state of Texas awarding the tribe the top award in forest conservation in 1971. More impressive, this award came at a time when the timber industry was struggling. [4]
As of 2000, the Alabama-Coushatta reservation consists of over 4500 acres that is classified under Federal Trust, 90% of which is commercial forest land which the tribe manages, leases or harvests themselves. This trust falls in between Federally managed trusts and privately owned land, the latter making up 92% of all timberland. [3][5]
Crucial to the Alabama-Coushatta's culture and economy are their longleaf pine baskets. These baskets are made out of the needles of a very specific tree that exists around the area of the reservation. As well as the tribe has managed their lumber harvesting, there was only an estimated one acre of Longleaf pines on the Alabama-Coushatta reservation and the tribe's members were forced to travel off campus to harvest these needles. This forced the tribe to create the WHIP program. [6]
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)
Natural Resources Conservation Service Texas
The epitome of their continued stewardship to the land and the continuation of their cultural heritage, the WHIP program was enacted in 2010.
This program, with assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture and the Natural Resources Conservation Service set out to reverse the decimation of the Longleaf Pines in the East Texas area, this is the first time the Alabama-Coushatta and these specific government agencies have interacted.
Prior to this program, much of the tribe's supply of the needles needed to weave the traditional baskets came from outside the state of Texas. The Alabama-Coushatta are in the process of clearing over 400 acres of brush and vegetation to plant roughly 700 seedlings an acre or 280,000 new Longleaf Pine trees. The clearing and seeding of the land has already created jobs for the Alabama-Coushatta tribesmen and will continue to do so as the trees grow, requiring harvesters for the trees' needles which are used for the basket weavings that sell so well to tourists who come to visit the reservation.
Economy isn't the only reason these pines are important. By creating a localized supply of needles, the requirement for weavers will rise and more youth and normally inactive members of the tribe will learn the traditional basket weaving methods that are so treasured by the tribe. These saplings are helping to revive the culture by passing it on to the younger members of the tribe, thus creating a mutually beneficial act, both economy and culture benefit. [6][7]
This program, with assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture and the Natural Resources Conservation Service set out to reverse the decimation of the Longleaf Pines in the East Texas area, this is the first time the Alabama-Coushatta and these specific government agencies have interacted.
Prior to this program, much of the tribe's supply of the needles needed to weave the traditional baskets came from outside the state of Texas. The Alabama-Coushatta are in the process of clearing over 400 acres of brush and vegetation to plant roughly 700 seedlings an acre or 280,000 new Longleaf Pine trees. The clearing and seeding of the land has already created jobs for the Alabama-Coushatta tribesmen and will continue to do so as the trees grow, requiring harvesters for the trees' needles which are used for the basket weavings that sell so well to tourists who come to visit the reservation.
Economy isn't the only reason these pines are important. By creating a localized supply of needles, the requirement for weavers will rise and more youth and normally inactive members of the tribe will learn the traditional basket weaving methods that are so treasured by the tribe. These saplings are helping to revive the culture by passing it on to the younger members of the tribe, thus creating a mutually beneficial act, both economy and culture benefit. [6][7]
Conclusion
As the Alabama-Coushatta move closer to independence, (via the lawsuit and the possibility of a casino being built on the reservation), timber will continue to play a major economical and cultural role for the tribe. The WHIP program has started to restore the resources needed to boost production of traditional items that will also bring economic opportunity to the tribe.
Endnotes
[1] "Indian Nations in Texas," Last modified September 2, 2011, accessed April 16, 2013. https://www.tsl.state.tx.us/exhibits/indian/intro/page2.html.
[2] Johnathan B. Hook, "Ethnogenesis and Regenesis," in The Alabama-Coushatta Indians, 74-88. College Station, TX: Health Press, 1997.
[3] "The Alabama-Coushattas," First Texans: Sixteen Tribes Of Native People & How They Lived (January 1995), 103. Texas Reference Center, EBSCOhost. (accessed May 1, 2013).
[4] "Forestry," accessed May 1, 2013, http://alabama-coushatta.com/TribalDepartments/NaturalResources/Forestry.aspx.
[5] "Forest Resources," in Texas Almanac 2012-2013 (Texas State Historical Association, 2012).
[6] "Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Begins Longleaf Pine Restoration Efforts," last modified August 2010, http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/tx/newsroom/stories/?cid=nrcs144p2_002536.
[7] Planting Seedlings of Change for Generations to Come, last modified July 2012, accessed May 1, 2013, http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/tx/newsroom/stories/?cid=nrcs144p2_003271.
[2] Johnathan B. Hook, "Ethnogenesis and Regenesis," in The Alabama-Coushatta Indians, 74-88. College Station, TX: Health Press, 1997.
[3] "The Alabama-Coushattas," First Texans: Sixteen Tribes Of Native People & How They Lived (January 1995), 103. Texas Reference Center, EBSCOhost. (accessed May 1, 2013).
[4] "Forestry," accessed May 1, 2013, http://alabama-coushatta.com/TribalDepartments/NaturalResources/Forestry.aspx.
[5] "Forest Resources," in Texas Almanac 2012-2013 (Texas State Historical Association, 2012).
[6] "Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Begins Longleaf Pine Restoration Efforts," last modified August 2010, http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/tx/newsroom/stories/?cid=nrcs144p2_002536.
[7] Planting Seedlings of Change for Generations to Come, last modified July 2012, accessed May 1, 2013, http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/tx/newsroom/stories/?cid=nrcs144p2_003271.