Official Recognition

We are not a United States Federally Recognized Tribe and do not plan to seek Federal Recognition since our ancestors never signed a Treaty with the United States Government.
We are recognized by the Free and Sovereign State of Coahuila de Zaragoza and Federally Recognized by the Republic of Mexico under the San Andres Accords, as well as recognized by the State of Texas and a member of the National Congress of American Indians.

San Andres Accords, August 2001, Recognition by the Free and Sovereign State of Coahuila de Zaragoza and The Republic of Mexico.

In August of 2001, a 40 person entourage which included citizens of the Cherokee Nation of Mexico the Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Tribe and Oklahoma Cherokee headed by Chief Charles Rogers, Chief D.L. Hicks and Chief Al Herrin, traveled by bus from San Antonio, Texas to Saltillo the 421 year old, mile high Capital of Coahuila Mexico.

The Congress of the Republic of Mexico had recently passed legislation permitting recognition of Indigenous Tribes, and Governor Enrique Martinez y Martinez was the first in Mexico to act on it with the Official Recognition of the Cherokee in Coahuila. The recognition pronouncement and ceremonies took place at the Palacio Estatal in the Salon de Venustiano Carranza in Saltillo the Capitol City of Coahuila.

Coahuila Governor Enrique Martinez y Martinez declared the Cherokee Nation of Mexico including the Tsalagiyi Nvdagi (Texas Cherokee) to be an authentic tribe in Northern Coahuila and on August 31, 2001 signed the recognition document making the recognition of the Cherokee an Official Act. The Governor then presented several gifts to the Cherokee delegation, among them a handsome bronze bust of an Eagle. The Mexican Eagle, whose feathers were more coveted than the Bald Eagle for their power, is the State symbol of Coahuila de Zaragoza.

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The Bus Ride
Cherokee Diplomatic Delegation to Saltillo, Coahuila Mexico headed by Chief Charles Rogers and White Chief Al Herrin of the Cherokee Nation of Mexico and Chief D.L. Hicks of the Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Tribe.
Official State Historian, Sr. Perez, opened the official proceedings with his presentation of historical Cherokee documents granting them 'Amparo' or political amnesty.
Governor Enrique Martinez y Martinez of the State of Coahuila forcefully makes his position in complete recognition of the Cherokee Nation of Mexico and the Tsalagiyi Nvdagi (Texas Cherokee).
Chief D.L. Hicks (Tsalagiyi Nvdagi) and Chief Charles Rogers (Cherokee Nation of Mexico) holding the bronze Eagle bust given to us by Governor E. Martinez y Martinez on behalf of the State of Coahuila.
Chief D.L. Hicks, Chief Charles Rogers, White Chief Al Herrin with Eagle bust
The Bus Ride
Diplomatic delegation
Official State Historian, Sr. Perez, opened the official proceedings with his presentation of historical Cherokee documents granting them 'Amparo' or political amnesty.
Governor Enrique Martinez y Martinez of the State of Coahuila forcefully makes his position in complete recognition of the Cherokee Nation of Mexico and the Tsalagiyi Nvdagi (Texas Cherokee).
Chief Hicks and Chief Rogers
Chief D.L. Hicks, Chief Charles Rogers, White Chief Al Herrin with Eagle bust
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The Bus Ride
Diplomatic delegation
Official State Historian, Sr. Perez, opened the official proceedings with his presentation of historical Cherokee documents granting them 'Amparo' or political amnesty.
Governor Enrique Martinez y Martinez of the State of Coahuila forcefully makes his position in complete recognition of the Cherokee Nation of Mexico and the Tsalagiyi Nvdagi (Texas Cherokee).
Chief Hicks and Chief Rogers
Chief D.L. Hicks, Chief Charles Rogers, White Chief Al Herrin with Eagle bust
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Texas State Recognition

On October 10, 2019 the Honorable Governor Greg Abbott on behalf of the State of Texas granted the Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Tribe Official Recognition on the occasion of our 200th Anniversary and permanent settlement in what is now the State of Texas 1819-2019.

This Official Recognition comes 180 years after the Republic of Texas forces tried to drive the Texas Cherokee and associated bands from our tribal treaty territory in East Texas by gun and knife on July 16, 1839.

Governor Greg Abbott signed his name and caused the Seal of the State of Texas to be affixed to the Official Recognition document at the City of Austin, on the 10th day of October, 2019.

The Official Tribal Recognition was read and presented to all Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Tribal Citizens and Supporters in attendance, on Saturday October 19, 2019 at Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Tribal lands in Troup, Texas.

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Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Tribe Official Texas State Recognition document
Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Tribe Official Texas State Recognition document
Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Tribal Officers celebrating our Bicentennial and Official State Tribal Recognition
Ugu Ron Trussell and Tribal Secretary Linda Trussell
Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Tribal Citizens and supporters gathered for the Bicentennial and State Recognition celebration
Tribal Fire Keeper Gordon Kemp keeping the sacred fire burning
Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Tribal Ani Awi Deer Clan mother Janice Hall at the women's drum
Kamama Trussell Buchmann and daughter celebrating our Bicentennial and Official State Recognition
Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Tribe Official Texas State Recognition document
Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Tribe Official Texas State Recognition document
Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Tribal Officers celebrating our Bicentennial and Official State Tribal Recognition
Ugu Ron Trussell and Tribal Secretary Linda Trussell
Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Tribal Citizens and supporters gathered for the Bicentennial and State Recognition celebration
Tribal Fire Keeper Gordon Kemp keeping the sacred fire burning
Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Tribal Ani Awi Deer Clan mother Janice Hall at the women's drum
Kamama Trussell Buchmann and daughter celebrating our Bicentennial and Official State Recognition
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Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Tribe Official Texas State Recognition document
Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Tribe Official Texas State Recognition document
Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Tribal Officers celebrating our Bicentennial and Official State Tribal Recognition
Ugu Ron Trussell and Tribal Secretary Linda Trussell
Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Tribal Citizens and supporters gathered for the Bicentennial and State Recognition celebration
Tribal Fire Keeper Gordon Kemp keeping the sacred fire burning
Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Tribal Ani Awi Deer Clan mother Janice Hall at the women's drum
Kamama Trussell Buchmann and daughter celebrating our Bicentennial and Official State Recognition
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National Congress of American Indians, Embassy of Tribal Nations

The Tsalagiyi Nvdagi Tribe has been a proud member Tribe/Nation of National Congress of American Indians, Embassy of Tribal Nations, since 2020.

NCAI was founded in 1944, is the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization serving the broad interests of Tribal governments and communities.

PSA: It is the prerogative of each U.S. Federal Agency to decide through their own specific criteria whether or not they honor or acknowledge State Recognized Tribes or specific State recognition processes.