American Indigenous Business Leaders (AIBL): American Indigenous Business Leaders is a nonprofit organization designed to support and promote the education and development of future Native American leaders while maintaining and incorporating cultural values.

American Indian College Fund: The American Indian College Fund provides scholarships and other support for American Indian students. The Fund disburses approximately 6,000 scholarships each year for American Indian students seeking to better their lives through higher education. The Fund also provides support for tribal college needs ranging from capital support to cultural preservation activities.

American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC): The American Indian Higher Education Consortium is the collective spirit and unifying voice of our nation's 37 Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs)—a unique community of tribally and federally chartered institutions working to strengthen tribal nations and make a lasting difference in the lives of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES): Founded in 1977, the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) is a national, nonprofit organization focused on substantially increasing the representation of American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, First Nations, and other indigenous peoples of North America in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) studies, and careers.

AISES has awarded over $11 million in academic scholarships to American Indian STEM students.

Association of American Indian Affairs: The AAIA has played an integral part in drafting a number of important laws, including the Indian Child Welfare Act, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and the Tribal Governmental Tax Status Act.

Indian Law Resource Center: The Indian Law Resource Center is a non-profit law and advocacy organization that advocates for protecting indigenous peoples' human rights, cultures, and traditional lands. The site contains descriptions of casework, newsletter archives, and links to research resources and organizations instrumental to winning recognition of indigenous rights.

Native American Advocacy Program: Initiated by Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL). It has been an ally to national Native American organizations and Indian communities engaged in policy advocacy. 

Native American Capital (NAC): Native American Capital fosters and promotes business and economic development in Indian Country through the investment of private equity capital in promising new and developing high growth businesses in Native American and Alaskan Native communities. NAC also provides the technical assistance necessary to ensure the growth, development, and profitability of these enterprises.

Native American Disability Law Center: The Law Center's mission is to advocate for the rights of Native Americans with disabilities in the Four Corners area and ensure they are enforced, strengthened, and brought in harmony with their communities. This private, non-profit works to ensure that Native Americans with disabilities have access to justice and are empowered and equal members of their communities and nations.

Native American Financial Official Association (NAFOA): The Native American Financial Official Association’s mission is to improve the quality of financial and business management of tribal governments, their entities, and their businesses.

National American Indian Court Judges Association (NAICJA): NAICJA is a national voluntary association of tribal court judges, justices, and peacemakers. Its primary mission is the support of American Indian and Alaska Native justice systems through education, information sharing, and advocacy.

National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association (NANAINA): The National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association’s mission is to promote a continuum of health among Native Americans; to serve the professional needs of Native American nurses; to cooperate with other professional associations, health care organizations, and governmental entities in matters affecting the purposes of NANAINA; and to recommend culturally appropriate health-service delivery solutions where barriers to Native American consumers exist.

Native American Rights Fund (NARF): The Native American Rights Fund is a non-profit organization that provides legal representation and technical assistance to Indian tribes, organizations, and individuals nationwide. 

Native American Journalists Association: The Native American Journalists Association serves and empowers Native American journalists through programs and actions designed to enrich journalism and promote Native cultures.

National Congress of American Indians (NCAI): Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization serving the broad interests of tribal governments and communities.

National Indian Child Care Association: The National Indian Child Care Association is a representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization serving the 266 tribal CCDF grantees that represent Tribal communities across the nation. Tribal child care and early childhood programs work hard to provide children, families, and communities with high-quality child care services all across Indian Country.

National Indian Council on Aging: The mission of NICOA is to advocate for improved comprehensive health, social services, and economic well-being for American Indian and Alaska Native Elders. In addition to providing service through several grants from agencies within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NICOA operates as a National Sponsor of the federal Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) in fourteen states through a grant from the Department of Labor.

National Indian Law Library (NILL): The National Indian Law Library is a public law library devoted to federal Indian and tribal law. It serves both the NARF and all members of the general public including individuals and organizations working on behalf of Native Americans.

National Native American AIDS Prevention Center: The NNAPC's mission statement is to eliminate HIV/AIDS and confront related health and social determinants that negatively impact American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Indigenous peoples. The Center has programs, resources, and publications dedicated to supporting prevention efforts and fostering healthy attitudes toward sexuality.

National Native American Bar Association (NNABA): The National Native American Bar Association serves as the national association for Native American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. Founded in 1973 as the American Indian Lawyers Association, NNABA works to promote issues important to the Native American community and works to improve professional opportunities for Native American lawyers.

National Native American Law Enforcement Association (NNALEA): The mission of the National Native American Law Enforcement Association is to promote and foster mutual cooperation between Native American law enforcement officers, agents and personnel, their agencies, tribes, private industry, and the public.

National Tribal Justice Resource Center: The Resource Center assists tribes in strengthening their methods of self-government and improving the climate within tribal lands for economic prosperity by offering tools to enhance tribal justice systems. By providing a broad scope of technical assistance services, the Resource Center provides practical benefits to every American Indian and Alaska Native justice system in the United States.

Partnership with Native Americans (PWNA): PWNA has been serving Native Americans for more than 25 years. It is a nonprofit organization committed to championing hope for a brighter future for Native Americans living on remote, isolated, and impoverished reservations. PWNA provides aid and services for Native Americans with the highest need in the U.S.

Redhawk Native American Arts Council: The Redhawk Native American Arts Council is a small grassroots not-for-profit organization founded in 1994 and maintained by Native American artists and educators who reside in and around New York City. It is dedicated to educating the general public and breaking stereotypes by presenting the traditions and societal contributions of Native Americans through song, dance, art, crafts, and other forms of expression.

SACNAS - Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science: SACNAS is an inclusive organization of 6,000+ members dedicated to fostering the success of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in STEM.

Women Empowering Women for Indigenous Nations: Women Empowering Women for Indigenous Nations (WEWIN) exists to provide Native women with the knowledge, support, and resources necessary to achieve success in their personal and professional lives. The WEWIN Annual Conference is an opportunity for Native women to engage in professional renewal, inspire others, and network.

A Collective Voice: Indigenous Resilience and A Call for Advocacy by Roni K. White, Alaina Hanks, Susan Branco, Nicola Meade, & Isaac Burt 

Chef Crystal Wahpepah on the Power of Indigenous Cuisine:'Native Foods are Overlooked' by Maria C. Hunt

In Alabama's '19th Unnamed Cave', a Trove of Ancient Dark-Zone Art by Christine Hauser

Jamestown, North America's First Permanent English Colony, Could Soon Be Underwater by Jane Recker

Native American - Indigenous Peoples of Canada and United States by Elizabeth Prine Pauls

Native American History Timeline by History.com Editors

Native American History: 10 of the Most Important Dates by Paul G 

Native Americans: A Crisis in Health Equity by Mary Smith

Return the National Parks to the Tribes by David Treuer

Ten Biggest Native American Tribes Today by Jeanette Centeno

The Impact of Words and Tips for Using Appropriate Terminology: Am I Using the Right Word? by Native Knowledge 360°

Alabama Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association

Alabama Indian Affairs Commission

Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area

Native American Tribes of Alabama

Indianz: Provides news and information from a Native American perspective.

Indian Country Today: Indian Country Today is an independent, nonprofit, multimedia news enterprise that covers Indigenous peoples. They reach audiences through their digital platform and as a broadcast carried via public television stations.

Native America Today: The mission of the news magazine and public service website is to bring forward thought-provoking journalism while bringing people closer together by broadening perspectives of Native American peoples, marginalized by traditional stereotypical images.

Native Knowledge 360°: Native Knowledge 360° (NK360°) provides educators and students with new perspectives on Native American history and cultures. It also provides educational materials, virtual student programs, and teacher training that incorporate Native narratives, more comprehensive histories, and accurate information to enlighten and inform teaching and learning about Native America.

Pow Wows: Pow Wows are one of the best ways to connect with your ancestral heritage and celebrate Native American culture. Check out events near you, or if you’re too far away but still want to experience the action, keep an eye out for virtual Pow Wows!

Turtle Talk: It is one of the leading law blogs in the country on American Indian law and policy, Turtle Talk is followed by tribal citizens; indigenous law scholars; and tribal, state, and federal leaders for its up-to-the-minute updates and analysis on Indian law and politics.

Oka Kapassa – meaning “cold water” – is an annual festival held at Tuscumbia’s Spring Park. The Oka Kapassa festival uses storytelling, dancing, music, traditional cuisine, crafts, and demonstrations to celebrate the culture and traditions of Native Americans who once thrived in the area.   

Annual Multicultural Indian Event - Indian heritage is kept alive in crafts, music, dance, ceremony, and camaraderie. Native crafts and customs came alive through actual demonstrations that included flint-knapping, basket weaving, finger-weaving, gorget carving, woodcarving, blacksmithing, pottery production, cornhusk doll making, Native American foods display, weaponry displays, Native American dancing, and music.

Moundville Native American Festival - celebrates Native American culture through performers, vendors, demonstrators, living history teachers, and more.

Why it matters 

Land is something sacred to all of us, whether we consciously appreciate it or not — it is the space upon which we play, live, eat, find love, and experience life. Acknowledging and righting the wrongs of history, and also involves a personal journey through the importance of connecting with the earth, its creatures, and its teachings.

Discover the land on which you reside here!

Florence Indian Mound

    1028 S Court Street Florence, AL 35630

    1.3 miles from UNA (5-6 minutes)

Edith Newman Culver Memorial Museum

    501 Main St, Waterloo, AL 35677

    24 miles from UNA (31 minutes)

Oakville Indian Mounds

    1219 Co Rd 187, Danville, AL 35619

    42 miles from UNA (50 minutes)

Moundville Archaeological Park

    634 Mound State Parkway, Moundville, AL 35474

    139 miles from UNA (2 hours 50 minutes)

Fort Payne Depot Museum

    105 5th St NE, Fort Payne, AL 35967

    140 miles from UNA (2 hours 35 minutes)

Manitou Cave of Alabama

    Fort Payne, AL 35967

    140 miles from UNA (2 hours 35 minutes)

Fort Toulouse

    2521 W Fort Toulouse Rd, Wetumpka, AL 36093

    210 miles from UNA (3 hours 50 minutes)

The Sacred Way Sanctuary is located in Florence, Alabama. They are an educational and research facility dedicated to the preservation of the Native American Horse and other animals that were held sacred to the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas. The Sanctuary lies on what was once part of the 1806 Congressional Reservation, the first Federal Indian Reservation in the United States. Also houses an Interpretive Center and Museum.

      Sacred Way Sanctuary

      4409 County Road 200, Florence, AL 35633

      Phone: 256-648-0582

      Hours: Saturday, 9am – 6pm by appointment

The Florence Indian Mound Museum stands at the base of Florence’s own Indian mound – one of the largest Woodland period mounds in the state of Alabama at forty-three feet tall. Visitors can walk to the top of the mound via stairs free of charge and pay a small museum entrance fee to view artifacts found on the property dating as far back as 10,000 years.

Florence Indian Mound and Museum

1028 S Court Street Florence, AL 35630

Phone: 256-760-6427

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm • 
Sunday: 1:00 - 4:00 pm

Oakville Indian Mounds Education Center is located in Danville, Alabama. The park consists of almost 200 acres of land and is home to almost 100 archeological sites. The museum based on the seven-sided design of a traditional Cherokee council house – displays artifacts found on the property dating as far back as 14,000 years. The most distinctive features of the park are its remaining two Woodland period mounds: a 26-foot-high, 1.5-acre-wide ceremonial mound and a 13-foot-high burial mound. Admission to the Center is free, and group tours can be purchased at a small fee per person.

      Oakville Indian Mounds

      1219 County Road 187 Danville, AL 35619

      Phone: 256-905-2494 or 256-905-2499

The Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall, also known as the Tom Hendrix Wall or Te-lah-nay’s Wall, memorializes the journey of Tom Hendrix’s great-great-grandmother, Te-lah-nay. Taken from her home with the Yuchi people along the Tennessee River and forced to march to Oklahoma in the Trail of Tears, Te-lah-nay spent one winter in Oklahoma before embarking on a five-year journey back to Alabama. Taking Hendrix thirty years to construct, the wall is unique to Florence and the United States in that it is the largest un-mortared rock wall in the U.S. as well as the largest memorial to a Native American woman.

      Tom’s Wall

      Phone: 256-764-3617

      Open Daily