“The Forgotten Creeks” documentary and “Alabama Folk” podcast premiere this week

A new documentary about the history of Alabama’s Poarch Band of Creek Indians and a podcast featuring Alabama folk artists are premiering this week.

Here are the details.

The Forgotten Creeks

“The Forgotten Creeks” a new documentary about Alabama’s Poarch Band of Creek Indians is premiering on Alabama Public Television (APT) on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 8:30 p.m. Viewers can also begin streaming the program on APT’s websitehttps://aptv.org/episode/forgotten-creeks-program-forgottencreeks/ and the PBS video app.

Produced by Jacksonville State University’s Longleaf Studios,  “The Forgotten Creeks” recalls the history of Alabama’s Mvskoke Creek Indians from Spanish contact in the 1500’s through the Indian Removal Act of 1830. The film explores what happened to those Mvskoke Creeks who remained in Alabama following the Trail of Tears and documents those ensuing years of poverty, assimilation and discrimination that nearly destroyed their indigenous identity. 

The documentary then examines the past 40 years when the Tribal Leaders secured federal recognition for the Tribe and the economic development and educational opportunities that followed.

“We are honored that our Tribe was selected to be the subject of this documentary produced by Jacksonville State University and Alabama Public Television,” said Stephanie Bryan, Poarch Band of Creek Indians Tribal Chair. “We feel incredibly blessed to have this recounting of both our history and our lives today.” 

The film took two years to produce.

“As an APT commissioner, JSU employee and friend of the Poarch people for nearly 30 years, it was a real honor to connect these organizations and work together to produce such an important documentary,” said Pete Conroy, director of strategic partnerships and special projects at JSU. “I particularly thank Tribal Leadership for their trust and also JSU producer and director Seth Johnson for his mastery in telling this powerful story.”

Alabama Folk

Also celebrating Alabama history and culture this month is Alabama Public Radio. 

This week, the Alabama Folklife Association (AFA), a broad banded organization founded to document, preserve, present, and promote folkways of Alabama, announced they have uploaded all six episodes of its newly launched podcast series – Alabama Folk .

Alabama Folk is the first podcast in AFA history and features Alabama artists and makers across regions of Alabama known for passing down traditions practiced for generations.

“We are thrilled to be the first Alabama folklife podcast airing on Alabama Public Radio,” said Emily Blejwas, executive director of the AFA and host of Alabama Folk. “There are so many traditions to celebrate in our great state, and we are thankful to highlight them on an even larger scale.”

Podcast episodes are currently live on Apple, Spotify, or wherever listeners stream.  

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