A Place Called Poarch

Join us in this episode as Gregory McGhee sits down with us to delve into the intricacies of powwow etiquette and traditions. Greg shares his journey from a small town in Atmore, Alabama, to embracing his Native American heritage and participating in powwows. We discuss the significance of powwows as cultural gatherings, emphasizing the importance of respect for dancers, regalia, and traditions. T...

Join us today as we sit down with Mindy Jackson to delve into the fascinating world of the Princess Contest in the Poarch Creek Indian community. Mindy, a former participant herself, shares her insights on the evolution of the contest, shedding light on the rigorous preparations contestants undergo. From intricate traditional arts like patchwork and beadwork to mastering the Muskogee language, the...

In this episode of our Native American Heritage Month series, we are so happy to welcome Alex Alvarez, an educator, artist, and seasoned powwow enthusiast. Alex shares his lifelong journey into the powwow tradition, tracing his roots back to his Creek heritage. Powwows, he explains, have been his sanctuary, a place of belonging and celebration of Native American culture. He describes the evolution...

Join us today as we sit down with Ding Ding, the planning and events coordinator for the tribe. We discuss the intricacies of planning the Poarch Creek powwow, shedding light on the behind-the-scenes efforts that make this event one of the largest powwows in the southeastern United States. Ding Ding also shares insights into the historical significance of the powwow, emphasizing its deep sentiment...

Today, we're continuing our conversation about the Consolidated School. James and Benjamin Colbert join us to discuss their time attending various schools. From learning how to read and write to learning basic Alabama history, Benjamin reminisces about his time at the Consolidated Schoolhouse. [0:44] - James introduces himself. [1:52] - While in the service, James found out his father had passed....

Today, we're continuing our conversation about the Consolidated School. Sheila Odem joins us to discuss her time attending the Consolidated School and how it differs from school life today. We listen in as she reminisces about "the good ole days". [1:03] - Sheila and Mayra Odem introduce themselves. [5:03] - Sheila reminisces about life in the Poarch Creek community.  [6:38] - Back in the day...

Today, we're continuing our conversation about the Consolidated School. Ronnie Jackson and Kent McGhee join us to discuss her time attending the Consolidated School and how it differs from school life today. The two men reminisce about their time in school, from their first jobs to what they're doing now. [0:50] - Kent introduces himself. [1:50] - Ronnie introduces himself. [9:00] - Kent reminisce...

Today, we're continuing our conversation about the Consolidated School. Maxine Lassiter joins us to discuss her time attending the Consolidated School and how it differs from school life today. We listen in as she reminisces about her early years attending school to becoming the school's bus driver. [1:10] - Maxine Lassiter introduces herself. [4:40] - Education was important to Maxine's family. [...

In the 1940s, Escambia County opened the Poarch Consolidated School to provide Indian children with a "separate but equal" education. Today, Ethel Walker and Eloise Hall join hosts Billy Baily, Brandy Chunn and Blake Crook to continue the conversation about education in the Poarch Creek community.  The two women share stories about their experiences in the Poarch Consolidated School. They rem...

Education is one of the most important things to the Poarch Creek people. But it wasn't always easy. Segregation and poverty were just two things the Poarch Creek people had to contend with as they strived for quality education. Today, Lori Sawyer joins hosts Billy Baily, Brandy Chunn, and Blake Crook to discuss the long and sometimes complicated history of education in the Poarch Creek community....

Join us this week as we discuss crucial issues concerning tribal lands, sovereignty, and property rights in Indian Country. Joined by Kitcki Carroll and Liz Malerba from the United South and Eastern Tribes (USET), the conversation sheds light on the complex challenges faced by U.S. tribal nations, particularly focusing on the importance of land for tribal communities. The discussion explores topic...

Continuing our conversation about land and its importance to Native Americans, Attorney General Laurie Stinson and VP of Compliance Venus McGhee Prince join host Megan Zamora to talk about how complicated land can be. Laurie and Venus discuss the political aspect of land and land rights. They also explain the differences between fee, trust and reservation land. [1:07] - Venus discusses what it was...

Continuing our conversation about land and its importance to Native Americans, Justin "Bobo" Rolin and Keith Martin join host Megan Zamora. They talk about the importance of sustainability when it comes to picking plants. They also discuss their feelings on why land is crucial to Native people and why it's essential to buy land. [1:30] - The guests are introduced. [2:30] - Land and people are all...

Today is a collaboration between A Place Called Poarch and Poarch Stories. Today, we're starting a series of conversations about land and its importance to Native Americans. Over the next few episodes, we'll discuss different perspectives on how the land is used today.  [1:16] - Megan explains the Poarch Community's land. [2:10] - Land is part of Native American people. [4:10] - To Brandy, th...

A Place Called Poarch - The Churches that Made Poarch From Baptist to Pentecostal to Episcopal, The Tribe has always had a strong connection to Christianity. Though the Poarch community was so small when all of these denominations got their start, they were still able to thrive. Their success was due, in part, to each denomination leader's willingness to allow the religion to adapt to the Poarch c...

A Place Called Poarch - Interview with April Sells Everybody has the right to be respected. That's what today's guest EMA Director, April Sells believes. This belief is what has made Emergency Services so successful over the years. April has been at Poarch for 35 years -- as long as some people have been here on this Earth. Through those years she has been selfless with her time and has given so m...

This week on A Place Called Poarch, we interview Sandra Day and Nancy Smith. Nancy is the Director of Nursing for the PBCI Health Clinic and has been nursing for 40 years. Sandra is the Community Health and Education Director for the PBCI Health and has been nursing for over 40 years. 

In this episode, we discuss the time period after Creeks were removed from Alabama. Our Poarch Creek ancestors were able to utilize the land, which provided everything they needed for survival. We dive into how the cattle and timber industry gave our ancestors a glimpse into the outside world.    

This episode features Family Services Director, Amanda Montgomery. Amanda is a Poarch Creek Tribal Member and has been working for the Tribe since 2009. During the interview she helps shed some light on the serious of domestic violence and how difficult it can be for victims to come forward. If you or anyone you know is a victim of any type of abuse, please contact your local law enforcement agenc...

This week on A Place Called Poarch, our host, Megan Zamora, sat down with Museum Coordinator, Brandy Chunn, and Gift Shop Clerk, Blake Crook. They talk about their current and past exhibits, and share the story of how Chief Calvin McGhee's original headdress made its way back home to Poarch. 

Welcome back to A Place Called Poarch. This week I sat down with Sandra Hiebert, Director of Education for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Sandra has been with the Tribe for 30 years now, and has watched the Tribe go from using typewriters and beepers to using top notch laptops and smart phones. 

Welcome back to A Place Called Poarch. This week I had the opportunity to sit down with Assistant CFO, Dominic Cromartie. Dom is from Tallahassee, FL and has been working with the Tribe for 11 years now. His positivity are laughter are infectious and makes him such an awesome person to be around. 

This week I had the opportunity to interview the man who was my very first boss, Jay Dorris, the CEO for Wind Creek Hospitality. Jay grew up in a small town with a strong sense of community, just like the Poarch Creek Indians. We reminisced about the Wind Creek Atmore grand opening and how the Wind Creek Hospitality brand started out as a small bingo hall in Atmore, Alabama.

This week we interviewed Cody Williamson, CEO for Creek Indian Enterprises development authority. Cody is an attorney by trade and has a background in finance. He shared with us the importance of delegation, and just how much employees with positive attitudes can affect everyone around them. 

This week we interview Brent Pinkston, COO for Wind Creek Hospitality. Brent was born in Chicago, IL but over the years he made his way to Poarch which he now calls home. During our interview, Brent tells us how he made his way from working in cornfields to becoming the Chief Operating Officer for Wind Creek Hospitality.