Lipan Apache Band of Texas
Cultural organization in Texas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Lipan Apache Band of Texas is a cultural heritage organization for individuals who identify as descendants of Lipan Apache people. The organization is based in Edinburg, Texas, with members living in Texas, Louisiana, California, and Mexico.[1][4] It is neither a federally nor state-recognized tribe.[3]
| Named after | Lipan Apache people, State of Texas |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1999[1] |
| Founded at | Edinburg, Texas[1] |
| Type | Nonprofit organization[1] |
| Tax ID no. | US Texas TIN 32001461261[1] EIN 742953145[2] |
| Legal status | active |
| Location | |
| Members | 745 (2022)[3] |
Official language | English |
Chairman | Richard Gonzalez (2022)[4] |
| Affiliations | Texas Tribal Buffalo Project |
| Website | lipanapachebandoftexas |
Other unrecognized organizations who also identify as Lipan Apache descendants include the Apache Council of Texas (Alice), Cuelgahen Nde Lipan Apache of Texas (Three Rivers), and the Lipan Apache Nation (San Antonio). The Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas (McAllen) is a separate organization and is state-recognized.[5]
Organization
The Lipan Apache Band of Texas, Inc., became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 1999. It is based in Edinburg, Texas.[1]
Officers of the organization include:
- Tribal chairman: Richard Gonzalez[4]
- Director and registered agent: Daniel Castro Romero Jr.[1]
- Director: Richard A. Gonzalez[1]
- Director: Rudy S. Perez[1]
- Secretary: Virginia C. Romero[1]
The Texas State Senate passed a congratulatory resolution to honor the Lipan Apache Band of Texas.[6]
Petition for federal recognition
Activities
The Lipan Apache Band of Texas hosts an annual powwow in Fort Clark Springs, Texas, which has been honored in a congratulatory resolution.[9] Each March, they participate in a living history celebration at Fort Clark.[4]
The Mexican state of Coahuila invited LABT members to visit for a cultural exchange in 2009.[6] In 2012, the group worked with the University of Texas Human Rights Clinic and LAW-Defense to create an "Early Action/Early Warning procedure report to stop racial discrimination.[6]
Lucille Contreras, an LABT member, launched the Texas Tribal Buffalo Project in 2021. She purchased 77 acres (31 ha) in Waelder, Texas;[3] formed a nonprofit organization; and developed a herd of American bison.[4] The Nature Conservancy helped provide five bison to the project.[3]
Notable members
- Margo Tamez, historian, poet[10]