“Who ever thought I would be chief?” Texas’ Alabama-Coushatta tribe elects first female chief

Mille Thompson Williams stands behind her desk at the Head Start building on the Alabama-Coushatta reservation on Nov. 18, 2022. Williams worked there for 37 years.

Credit:
Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune

A fight for sovereignty

First: Members of the Alabama-Coushatta tribe rallied in September 2020 to keep Naskila Gaming open, citing the economic opportunity the casino brought to their community. Last: Members of the tribe rallied outside of the Texas Capitol for tribal issues to be taken more seriously.

Credit:
Amna Ijaz/The Texas Tribune

Alabama Coushatta Second Chief-elect Millie Thompson Williams in traditional regalia inside the Indian Village Assembly of God Church on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022. Thompson will be the first woman to serve in this leadership position in the history of the Alabama-Coushatta tribe.

Credit:
Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune

Amid personal heartbreak, a chance to make history

First: A beaded bear worn by Second Chief-elect Millie Thompson Williams designates her a member of the Bear Clan, one of the 12 clans of the Alabama-Coushatta tribe. Last: Williams points out a chart used for teaching children numbers in both English and the Alabama language at the Head Start building.

Credit:
Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune