Key Takeaways:
- The rediscovery of an ancient settlement site, Donnel Point, has sparked a campaign for its preservation by Native American groups in South Texas.
- The site, located on Corpus Christi Bay, is one of the last undisturbed tracts of land on a 70-mile shoreline that was once home to hundreds of Indigenous cultural sites.
- The site’s preservation is threatened by a planned oil terminal, and Native American groups are fighting to protect it, citing its cultural and historical significance.
- The site’s discovery has also brought attention to the erasure of Indigenous people from Texas history and the importance of preserving their cultural heritage.
- The campaign to preserve Donnel Point is being led by Love Sanchez, a Karankawa descendent, and Juan Mancias, chair of the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe of Texas, who are working with nonprofit lawyers and local historians to protect the site.
Introduction to Donnel Point
The rediscovery of an ancient settlement site, Donnel Point, on Corpus Christi Bay has sparked a campaign for its preservation by Native American groups in South Texas. The site, which was thought to be lost to dredging in the 1950s, is one of the last undisturbed tracts of land on a 70-mile shoreline that was once home to hundreds of Indigenous cultural sites. The site’s preservation is threatened by a planned oil terminal, and Native American groups are fighting to protect it, citing its cultural and historical significance.
The History of Donnel Point
The site at Donnel Point was first documented by Texas archaeologists in the 1930s, but it was thought to be lost to dredging in the 1950s. However, last year, a local geologist, Patrick Nye, stumbled upon the site while boating on the bay and worked with a local professor of history, Peter Moore, to identify it in academic records. The site sits on several hundred acres of undeveloped scrubland, crisscrossed by wildlife trails with almost a half mile of waterfront. It is believed to be one of the last remaining shell middens, a large heap of seashells left by generations of fishermen eating oysters, scallops, and conchs.
The Importance of Donnel Point
Donnel Point is significant not only because of its cultural and historical importance but also because it is one of the last remaining examples of the Indigenous people’s presence on the Texas coast. The site represents a precious, physical connection to a past that’s been largely covered up. For Love Sanchez, a Karankawa descendent, Donnel Point represents a connection to her ancestors and a way to keep their memory alive. The site also tells a story at odds with the narrative taught in Texas schools, that only sparse bands of people lived in the region when American settlers arrived.
The Fight to Preserve Donnel Point
The campaign to preserve Donnel Point is being led by Love Sanchez and Juan Mancias, chair of the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe of Texas. They are working with nonprofit lawyers and local historians to protect the site. In a letter last month, nonprofit lawyers representing the Karankawa and Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe of Texas asked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to revoke an unused permit that would authorize construction of an oil terminal at the site. The lawyers argue that the permit was issued without proper consideration of the site’s cultural and historical significance.
The Challenges of Preservation
Despite the importance of Donnel Point, its preservation faces significant challenges. The site is located on land owned by the Port of Corpus Christi Authority, which has sought developers to build and operate a terminal in the space. The Port has not responded to requests for comment. Additionally, the Texas Historical Commission, which is responsible for preserving historical sites, is appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott, who has received significant campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry. The commission has not responded to requests for comment.
Conclusion
The rediscovery of Donnel Point has brought attention to the erasure of Indigenous people from Texas history and the importance of preserving their cultural heritage. The campaign to preserve the site is a testament to the determination of Native American groups to protect their cultural and historical significance. Despite the challenges, Love Sanchez and Juan Mancias remain committed to protecting Donnel Point and ensuring that the site is preserved for future generations. As Sanchez said, "In this type of organizing, you can lose hope really fast. No one here has lost hope."
