by: Amanda Rutland/MCNPR
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A group of approximately 150 people representing the Muscogee (Creek) Nation gathered Nov. 16-18, at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. to share the Muscogee (Creek) culture as part of NMAI’s events for Native American Heritage Month.
During the three-day event, MCN shared demonstration stompdances and Mvskoke language hymn singings. There were traditional blow dart presentations, which allowed visiting school children to learn how to use them.
MCN Cultural Center and Archives Curator John Beaver worked for NMAI in the past and said he was proud to see Muscogee culture being shared with a large audience.
“It’s great to see our tribe represented here at the museum,” Beaver said. “Letting the world know all the great things about Muscogee history and culture, and it’s certainly a great venue for the public to interact with our artists and dancers and singers and for them to learn about Muscogee (Creek) culture.”
This festival was also an outreach opportunity for at-large citizens. MCN At-Large Citizen Liaison Geebon Gouge said over 400 invitations to the event were sent to citizens within a 150-mile radius of Washington, D.C.
“They were very appreciative that we were thoughtful enough to send out those invitations to make them feel a part,” Gouge said. “ We had one family update his information, enrolled his young baby, and had someone else come in and register to vote.”
At-large citizen Darnella Davis has lived in Washington, D.C. for 30 years and enjoys when the Nation gathers at NMAI. Davis said that being among other Muscogee people feels like home.
“I was here when they inaugurated the museum. When we were 200 Muscogee (Creek) here, and the whole tribe and everyone came, the chief all the council members, and that opening was just tremendous and so proud to have my family come,” Davis said.
This is the third time that MCN has had the opportunity to share the Mvskoke culture as one of the featured tribes at NMAI and hopefully not the last time.