The Sakochee Tribe

The Sakochee Tribe of Native American Descendants (pronounced: suh-koh-chee), based in Eugene, Oregon was founded in 2008. The Sakochee Tribe is a Native American Descendant tribal nation; the only one recognized in the United States (by three sitting Mayors).

History

Founded on November 2, 2008 by Alexander Ziwahatan, Richard E. Lake, II, Lucretia K. Lake, and LeRoy J. Kincaid, III in Eugene, Oregon, USA. The tribe was founded originally as The Nwambu People, and they have settled on the name The Sakochee Tribe of Native American Descendants. Previously, the tribe was known as The Una Nation of Mixed-Bloods.

Enrollment

To enroll with the Sakochee tribe, a person must be descended from a Native American. They must be able to prove their heritage, either via documents or a DNA test. Most members of the Sakochee do not qualify for enrollment with their ancestral tribes due to outdated and racist blood quantum laws. Currently, the tribe has enrollment in excess of 113,000, making them one of the largest tribes in the United States.

Government

The tribe is governed by a Council and a Chief. The Chief, which is a hereditary position, holds a permanent seat on the Council. The rest of the Council is elected. The Chief is known as: His Highness, The Chief of the Sakochee. The Chief, who is openly gay and non-binary, is advised by the Council.

Recognition

The tribal nation has been both internationally and domestically recognized. Firstly, recognized by three sitting Mayors :

• Christine Lundberg, Mayor of Springfield, Oregon;
• Kitty Piercy, former Mayor of Eugene, Oregon;
• Lucy Vinis, Mayor of Eugene, Oregon;

Further, the tribe has crossed the border with diplomacy and secured treaties with two Metis Nations in Canada:

• Eastern Woodland Metis Nation Nova Scotia
• Metis Nation of Canada

In 2015, a bill, HCR 16, was introduced to the Oregon House of Representatives to recognized the tribe by the State of Oregon. However, the bill never passed committee. Nevertheless, the tribal nation continues to fight for recognition as a Native American Descendant tribal Nation. In 2024, the tribe officially asked President Biden for federal recognition.

Elizabeth Warren

In February 2019, the tribe granted Senator Elizabeth Warren tribal enrollment, given her DNA results.

External Links

• www.Sakochee.org, official website

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