Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation
The Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation is a cultural heritage organization of individuals who identify as lineal descendants of the Coahuiltecan people. They have a nonprofit organization, the American Indians in Texas-Spanish Colonial Missions, based in San Antonio, Texas. The Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation is an unrecognized organization. Despite using the word nation in its name, the group is neither a federally recognized tribe nor a state-recognized tribe. Texas has "no legal mechanism to recognize tribes" and has no state-recognized tribes. However, the state legislature passed a congratulatory resolution, that is an honorific and non-legally binding resolution, H.R. No. 787 honoring the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation. The Tap Pilam claims descent from the American Indians who converted to Roman Catholicism affiliated with and some buried at Alamo Mission in San Antonio. The American Indian tribes originally affiliated with the Alamo were the Jarame, Pamaya, and Payaya. Organization 
In 1994, American Indians in Texas–Spanish Colonial Missions, also known as AIT-SCM was formed. Based in San Antonio, Texas, the group is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and a manifestation of the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation. It was founded by Raymond Hernandez, Joel Silva, and Richard Garay. Their subject area is cultural and ethnic awareness. Their mission statement is "Preservation and protection of the culture and traditions of the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation." Their administration includes:
 Executive director: Ramon Vasquez
 President: Mary Jessie Garza
 Vice president: Miguel Acosta
 Development coordination: Karla Aguilar. Church 
In 1994, the tribe organized the Yanaguana Tap Pilam Native American Church of the Americas Church, a Texas affiliate of the Native American Church of North America. In the 1997, the church was named Tlecuauhtlacupeuh Tap Pilam Native American Church of the Americas. As of March 2021, the church administration included:
 President: Raymond Hernandez
 Treasurer: Mickey Killian
 Secretary: Isaac A. Cardenas
 Agent: Ramon Vasquez y Sanchez. Petition for federal recognition 
In 1997, Tap Pilam: The Coahuiltecan Nation sent a letter of intent to petition for federal recognition. They have not followed up with a petition for federal recognition, however. Lawsuits 
The organization claims descent from the American Indians, who were Roman Catholic Christian converts, buried at the Alamo Mission in San Antonio and in 2020 filed a lawsuit against the Alamo Trust, Texas Land Office, Texas Historical Commission, the City of San Antonio and their leaders in the U.S. District Court. The lawsuit was dismissed by a federal district judge. A second lawsuit in 2021 was dismissed by a district judge. "The joint dismissal with prejudice, approved by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, means the claims can’t be re-filed against the defendants." The Tap Pilam's appeals were settled, and, while they did not gain a seat on the committee overseeing archaeological digs at the Alamo and treatment of human remains, they are allowed to attend the committee meetings. Following the settlement, Art Martinez de Vara, representing the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation said, “The Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation, as lineal descendants of the indigenous residents of Mission San Antonio de Valero looks forward to working with ATI [Alamo Trust, Inc.] to preserve, protect and proclaim the indigenous presence and heritage at Mission San Antonio de Valero for future generations of Texans." Stephen Chang of the Texas General Land Office (GLO) said, “The GLO has won every case that Tap Pilam has brought against the state. ... Courts have consistently rejected Tap Pilam’s claims because of their baseless claims." See also 
 Carrizo Comecrudo Nation of Texas

References

External links
 Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation
 American Indians in Texas–Spanish Colonial Missions, nonprofit organization

Cultural organizations based in Texas
Non-profit organizations based in Texas
1994 establishments in Texas
Unrecognized tribes in the United States