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Alabama Quassarte (U.S.)

Native American

image by Donald Healy, 22 December 2007

The band
The flag

See also:

The Band

map image by Peter Orenski based on input from Don Healy

Alabama Quassarte - Oklahoma

The Alabama people originated in the southeastern part of the United States in the state that today bears their name, Alabama. As French allies in the French and Indian War, the Alabama moved west after the British victory, into lands now part of Louisiana and Texas. Those who remained in their original lands became close allies of the Creek (Muskogee) Indians. When the Creek were removed to the Indian Territory in 1830, their Alabama allies left with them (ENAT, 6).

Today the only recognized distinctive Alabama Tribe is located in Texas, where they have united with the Coushatta Nation. The Alabama, whose name means "weed gatherers", also live on as part of the Creek Nation in Oklahoma. There they share the town of Eufaula with the Quassarte, their spelling of what in Texas are the Coushatta.

The Quassarte (Coushatta) also originated in what is now Alabama and shared much of the same recent history as their Alabama cousins. Those who merged with the Creek in the early 19th century were sent to Oklahoma with the Creek. The remnants of these two Nations, as existing in Oklahoma, are now considered to be Creek rather than their ancient tribes.

The Flag

The flag of the Alabama Quassarte consists of a white square with a red panel half the size of the white on either side (this form is known as a "Canadian Pale", since the flag of Canada was the first national flag to employ three vertical stripes in these proportions). Centered on the white area is a representation of a Red Tailed Hawk. The hawk's outspread wings reach nearly to the edges of the white square. It is depicted with a black face, brown body and upper part of the wings, yellow central wings and tail feathers, and red wing-tips. All feathers are outlined in black. In its talons the hawk holds a white scroll bearing "ETVLWVOMVLKV YRVKKV" in black (presumably the tribal name). Over the hawk in black in two lines is the official name "Alabama Quassarte Tribal Town"; below is "Est. 1939", the date of its founding.

© Donald Healy 2008
information provided by Peter Orenski, 22 December 2007