This story was published August 10, 2021 in the Texas Observer in partnership with The Guardian.
Texas, which exterminated or displaced most of the Indigenous people in the state, now wants to cash in on them.
While lawmakers support legislation that could further restrict how Indigenous history is taught in schools, a state agency appointed by Governor Greg Abbott is trying to make money by attracting tourists to Indigenous historical and cultural sites. The Texas Historical Commission hopes to work with Indigenous nations to expand the state’s multi-billion-dollar tourism programs – even though almost all original tribes and communities were forced out of the state or killed decades ago and may not benefit financially from tourism.
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