The Washitaw Nation (Washitaw de Dugdahmoundyah) is an African-American group associated with the Moorish Science Temple of America who claim to be a sovereign state of Native Americans within the boundaries of the United States of America. Their name is appropriated from that of the Ouachita tribe,[1] who are also eponymous of the Washita River and of Washita, Oklahoma. The group is part of the sovereign citizen movement, whose members generally believe that they are not subject to any statutes or proceedings at the federal, state, or municipal levels.[2][3]
The Washitaw Nation was headed by Verdiacee Hampton Goston (also known as Verdiacee Turner, and as Empress Verdiacee Tiari Washitaw Turner Goston El-Bey, c. 1927–2014).[4] She was mayor of Richwood, Louisiana in 1975 and 1976, and again from 1980 to 1984,[5] and is the author of the self-published book Return of the Ancient Ones (1993). Goston asserted that the United Nations "registers the Washitaw as indigenous people No. 215".[1]
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
splcenterwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Erwin, James L. (2006). Declarations of Independence: Encyclopedia of American Autonomous and Secessionist Movements. Greenwood Press. p. 205. ISBN 978-0313332678. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
- ^ Nelson, Leah. "Memphis Stew". Intelligence Report. SPLC. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
- ^ "Former Richwood mayor dies". KNOE.com. Archived from the original on 2014-05-12.
- ^ "Empress Goston's legacy continues in 40th Anniversary". Archived from the original on 2018-08-02. Retrieved 2021-07-03. Monroe Free Press