The Poarch Band of Creek Indians, like many other Native American tribes, have fought hard to preserve their heritage and traditions. They have lived in and around the Poarch, Alabama reservation for nearly 200 years and are currently the only federally recognized Native American tribe in the state.

Tribal Council Member Sandy Hollinger has ensured the tribe's continued legacy through her selfless leadership and dedication to her fellow tribe members.

“I have been a resident of the Poarch community all my life,” Hollinger recalled. “It's a community of love. We're a small rural community so there weren't many, but we shared the same common goal of unity and love.”

Mr. Hollinger was first elected to the Tribal Council in 2011 and since then has served not only members of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, but the Creek Nation as a whole.

Tribal Council members work tirelessly to promote the tribe's culture and beliefs and ensure the health, education, and well-being of all tribal members.

“No two days are the same,” Hollinger says when asked about his daily work. “From small problems to big problems, I put my whole heart and soul into solving problems and proposing benefits for the tribe members. I'm on call at all hours of the day, and I help in any way I can.”

Her selfless service and dedication to community members is evident in both her past and current work with the tribe.

Ms. Hollinger previously worked as a Community Services Specialist in the Department of Family Services, assisting low-income households and families in crisis. Her goal is not just to meet her personal needs. It's about knowing the individual and communicating true empathy and compassion.

She also seeks to carry on some of the centuries-old Poe Arch Creek legacy, one cemented by her own family, her uncle and tribal leader Calvin McGee.

“He paved the way to get us here,” Hollinger said, recalling Chief McGee's many trips to Washington, D.C., to advocate for his people and gain recognition for the tribe. . But getting there wasn't easy and required the help of the entire community.

Hollinger remembers her mother's story about the fundraiser to get her there.

“Economics were tough at the time. We fried chicken in a big cast-iron basin to raise the gas money to take him to Washington. The men fried the chicken and the women fried the side dishes. We created it, we all worked together to raise money, and we are now reaping the benefits of that effort.”

Through a collective community effort to fund his trip to Washington, the tribe received federal recognition in 1984. To this day, the Poarch Creek Tribe remains the only federally recognized tribe in Alabama. But for Hollinger, the word “community” extends beyond Poarch and beyond the Creek Nation.

“We have a passion for helping our fellow Native Americans, but in our hearts we want to help all people, not just our tribal people. I want to bless others.”

Hollinger considers herself to be a woman of strong faith and deeply involved in her church, so she views her work as something deeper than herself. When she lost her youngest son Denver to cancer in 2018, she said her faith sustained her through a time of immense grief.

But her grief didn't stop her from serving others. She remains committed to her tribe's work as well as the work of St. Jude, which treated her son, and continues her fundraising efforts and support for her families facing similar situations. There is.

“Life is short,” she reflects. “I saw it with my son. Before that, I had feelings for others, but now I want to help others in any way I can. In a way, it helps my grieving process. is.”