The Muscogee Nation

Author: muscadmin

  • Muscogee (Creek) Nation Okemah Indian Health Center moving to new location at the new Creek Nation Community Hospital

    Muscogee (Creek) Nation Okemah Indian Health Center moving to new location at the new Creek Nation Community Hospital

    by: LaTasha Monahwee/MCNPR

    OKEMAH, Okla. — The Okemah Indian Health Center is moving to the new Muscogee (Creek) Nation Okemah Community Hospital equipped with 32 exam rooms, 4 procedure rooms and a more convenient location to better serve patients. The clinic move is the first phase for the opening of the new MCN Okemah Community Hospital facilities.

    The new facility, located at 1800 E. Copeland Rd. the S.E. corner of I-40 & Okemah Exit in Okemah, replaces the old facility located in the N.W. part of the city.

    The Okemah Indian Health Center serves all natives as a scheduled appointment facility.

    The clinic is staffed with experienced physicians and physician’s assistants to treat acute and chronic conditions in all ages.

    The clinic is open five days a week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM– 5:00 PM. Limited walk-ins may be seen daily if slotting allows. To make an appointment, call (918) 623-1424.

    An official date for the opening of the new MCN Community Hospital has not been released.

  • Muscogee (Creek) Nation encourages citizens to participate in Great American Smokeout

    News Release

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Nov. 13, 2017

    CONTACT Neely Tsoodle
    PR Manager
    P.O. Box 580
    Okmulgee, OK 74447
    (918) 758-6599
    NTsoodle@muscogeenation.com

     

    Muscogee (Creek) Nation encourages citizens to stop the use of commercial tobacco during the American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout on November 16

    Okmulgee, Okla. — Muscogee (Creek) Nation is encouraging citizens to commit or recommit to healthy, commercial tobacco-free lives by participating in the American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout on Nov. 16, 2017.

    “Our program recognizes the importance of tobacco used in traditional settings, our focus is to help people quit using tobacco that is not used for traditional purposes, we refer to this as commercial tobacco” said Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tobacco Prevention Manager Carla Feathers.

    “Commercial tobacco has devastating effects on the health and well-being of our Mvskoke people. We use the Great American Smokeout as an opportunity for our people to challenge themselves to quit for one day.  If you can quit for one day, then try two, and three,” Feathers said.

    Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States. American Indians/Alaska Natives have the highest prevalence of cigarette smoking compared to all other racial/ethnic groups in the United States.

    “The best thing you can do for your health, as well as the health of your family, is to quit using commercial tobacco,” Feathers said.

    This is a one-day event Nationwide, however the idea is for this to be a start to a long-term commitment. The program will also provide resources and follow-ups for those who sign up.

    On Thursday, Nov. 16 from 8:30 am to 10:30 am, MCN Tobacco Prevention Program Specialist Arlene Davis will be set up in the McCombs building lobby located on the Muscogee (Creek) Nation complex if you’d like to pledge or receive a “quit kit.” For more information on commercial tobacco cessation, contact MCN Tobacco Prevention at 918-758-8202.

  • Official Election Results

  • MCNDH hosts free suicide prevention conference

    Media Alert

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Nov. 12, 2017

    CONTACT Neely Tsoodle
    PR Manager
    P.O. Box 580
    Okmulgee, OK 74447
    (918) 758-6599
    NTsoodle@muscogeenation.com

     

    MCNDH hosts free suicide prevention conference

    Okmulgee, Okla. — Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health is hosting a free conference focusing on Suicide Prevention. This is the first conference of its kind presented by the MCNDH, with more than 400 participants pre-registered. The 2017 Hope Conference theme is “Restoring Hope Throughout our Nation” and will be held November 15 and 16 at River Spirit Casino and Resort & Convention in Tulsa, Okla.

    The conference is open to anyone who has been affected by suicide, health and behavioral professionals and those who want to learn more about suicide prevention.

    MCN Health have identified alarming statistics among our Native population which is one of the topics covered along with the growing numbers of suicide among the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ).

    The event will feature licensed professionals presenting and offering tips from a medical perspective such as identifying risks and how to handle a situation. It will also provide education and training relating to wellness, mental health, new initiatives and research.

    There will be a preconference training the day before the conference on Tuesday, Nov. 14. You may register online at eventbrite.com or register in person on site. Morning sessions start at 8 a.m.

    If you’d like to learn more about this event please call 918-758-1930. For media inquiries, please call Neely Tsoodle at 918-758-6599 or ntsoodle@muscogeenation.com

    Information about Suicide Among Youth and Young Adults

     

  • MCN Attorney General’s Office releases statement regarding 10th Circuit Court ruling in Murphy case

    NEWS  RELEASE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Nov. 9, 2017

    CONTACT Neely Tsoodle
    PR Manager
    P.O. Box 580
    Okmulgee, OK 74447
    (918) 758-6599
    NTsoodle@muscogeenation.com

     

    MCN Attorney General’s Office releases statement regarding 10th Circuit Court ruling in Murphy case

    Muscogee (Creek) citizen Patrick Murphy’s death sentence was overturned Aug. 8 in a federal court of appeals based on an argument of tribal jurisdiction. The Oklahoma Attorney General sought a rehearing , but the U. S. Tenth Circuit has made the decision not to rehear the case.

    The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Attorney General’s Office released the following statement Nov. 9 regarding the court’s decision.
    “The Muscogee (Creek) Nation is pleased with the Tenth Circuit’s decision to not rehear the Murphy case.  The opinion of the Court thoroughly analyzed the historical record and faithfully applied the relevant law and it should continue to be upheld and the Nation remains committed to seeing that it is.”

  • Muscogee (Creek) Nation welcomes SEAC

    Muscogee (Creek) Nation welcomes SEAC

    by: Amanda Rutland/MCNPR

    TULSA, Okla. — Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief James Floyd opened The 74th Annual Southeastern Archeological Conference Nov. 8 with a welcome at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Tulsa.

    This is the first time SEAC has been held in Oklahoma. The four-day conference with over 600 people in attendance. SEAC is targeted to those working in Southeastern archeology related fields, whether academically, working for federal agencies or culture resources.

    “What’s unique about the conference coming to Oklahoma is this is the first time tribes will have a large presence and participation in the conference,” Muscogee (Creek) Nation Historic and Cultural Preservation Manager RaeLynn Butler said.

    The tribal presence included the opening ceremony. MCN Historic and Cultural Preservation Traditional Cultural Specialist David Proctor worked with University of Tulsa Professor Dr. Thomas Foster to invite all the tribes that wanted to participate in a living cultural demonstration.

    “The opening ceremony was organized to help give an invitation to everyone coming to Tulsa. The Creek Nation founded the city of Tulsa and so we felt that it would be good to show the attendees kind of like a good welcome and a cultural night,” Butler said.

    Chief Floyd explained to the attendees that when MCN reestablished in Indian Territory town locations and names were retained.

    “When we left the east and came here, we renamed every town pretty much after our old towns and aligned them the way you seen in Alabama, Georgia and Florida,” Floyd said. “We do carry out the traditions that many of you study. “

    A field trip in planned for Saturday to the Tvlahasse Wvkokaye Ceremonial Ground.

    “I know some of you, Saturday, are going out to Tallahassee Wvkokaye. You will see that we carried on those ceremonies, those traditions and culture that we did hundreds of years ago. We still make sure we retain those things that were our life,” Floyd said.

    MCN Historic and Cultural Preservation helped organized a tribal historic preservation symposium to be held on Friday.

    Butler hopes it will bring both archeologists and tribes together to listen and learn from each other.

    Various tribes will be “showcasing tribal archeology, tribal preferences and perspectives on archeology and what’s respectful. We are also talking about repatriation and how that is important to tribes also,” Butler said.

     

     

  • MCN Citizens receive Dream Keepers Awards

    MCN Citizens receive Dream Keepers Awards

    by: Amanda Rutland/MCNPR

    TULSA, Okla. — The Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission held the 20th Annual Dream Keepers Awards Banquet on Nov. 7 at the University of Oklahoma–Tulsa Schusterman Center in Tulsa. This year GTAIAC recognized Muscogee (Creek) Nation Mvskoke Language Program and MCN citizen Don G. Tiger with awards.

    “This is one of our main events to reach out to the community and acknowledge Native citizens for the work they do in the greater Tulsa area,” GTAIAC Chair Sammy Haynes said.

    The Mvskoke Language Program was awarded the Perry Aunko Indigenous Language Preservation Award, which recognizes Native American community members who are dedicated to keeping Native American languages alive.

    Haynes said it is not often that a group or organization is chosen for an award. The Mvskoke Language Program was chosen because of the amount of work and dedication to teaching the language along with the development of the Mvskoke Language app.

    The free app has 500 entries in 27 categories, ten Mvskoke hymns, seven videos along with games and quizzes. The app is available through the Apple App Store and on Android in the Google Play Store.

    “The reason why we choose the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Language Dept. is that they have done an excellent job in promoting and preserving the Mvskoke Creek language,” Haynes said. “Those type of programs and people are who we want to make people aware of, and that’s what we are hoping we promote.”

    Mvskoke Language Program Manager Judy Montiel said receiving the award was a humbling experience for the program.

    “We have been stretched pretty thin and that all of this long effort we put into the program and different activities. It’s being to take notice in the community’s eyes,” Montiel said. “That is something that is very gratifying to each of us, kind of like a spark of energy for us to continue on this endeavor.”

    MCN citizen Don G. Tiger received the Roberta Pratt Gardipe American Indian Veterans Award, which awarded to a Native veteran who has served with honor and dignity and is known for their patriotism.

    Tiger served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam.

    “It is a privilege to receive and be honored by this type of veterans award,” Tiger said.

  • Opinion: House Bill 1054x. This is not a solution, but a start

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Nov. 8, 2017

    CONTACT Neely Tsoodle
    PR Manager
    P.O. Box 580
    Okmulgee, OK 74447
    (918) 758-6599
    NTsoodle@muscogeenation.com

    Opinion: House Bill 1054x. This is not a solution, but a start

    Statement from Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief James R. Floyd

    OKMULGEE, Okla. — Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief James R. Floyd released the following statement today urging Oklahoma lawmakers to get it right. “We want to implore the leaders that House Bill 1054x is a start to address the systemic problems the State faces. This is not the answer, it is an answer offered for a temporary fix to a long-term problem.

    Governor Mary Fallin has endorsed House Bill 1054x, which calls for increased taxes on tobacco, gasoline, diesel and low-point beer and an increase on gross production tax from 2 percent to 4 percent on the first 36 months of some newly drilled oil wells. The language of this bill is nearly identical to one that was amended and passed on Monday. Fallin called a few of the larger populated tribes including the Muscogee (Creek) Nation asking for support of its passage.

    “HB1045x is a partial fix that will please most citizens. However our working citizens, middle and lower income will bear the burden of the taxes, through gasoline and tobacco usage. That makes up a large portion of our population within our 11 county boundaries. We must find a solution to recognize the problem and it starts with leadership. Right now our state leaders have the inability to arrive at an agreement,” said Floyd.

    “This is imperative that regardless of the outcome of this bill, we implore you to have the integrity and leadership to continue to seek an improved and ‘permanent’ answer promptly.”

    The bill passed Tuesday and will now be heard by the full House today at 1:30 p.m.

    ###

    James R. Floyd is the chief executive of the fourth largest federally recognized tribe in the United States. He was elected Principal Chief in 2015 after retiring as the Director of Veterans Affairs in Muskogee, Oklahoma. His career had started with Muscogee (Creek) Nation as Manager of Health Services and Area Director of the Portland Indian Health Service. Throughout his career with Indian Health Service and Federal Service, Principal Chief Floyd continued to serve Native Americans throughout the United States, while always keeping in mind how his efforts could benefit Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

    Principal Chief Floyd is currently overseeing a new facility, A Creek Nation Community Hospital in Okemah, Oklahoma, which is conveniently located along I-40. The hospital will be opening in the fall of 2017. It will feature a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital, emergency room with 14 beds, Trauma care, CT scan, and two operating rooms.

    With more than 84,254 citizens worldwide and more than 4-thousand employees, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation is a self-governed Native American tribe located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Principal Chief Floyd oversees a diverse entity with many facets such as: cultural tourism, gaming, businesses, and a higher learning institution.

    Update: The Oklahoma House voted on a funding bill. It needed 76 votes to pass. It failed 71-27.

  • MCN Veterans Affairs Service Office holds open house

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Nov. 7, 2017

    CONTACT Neely Tsoodle
    PR Manager
    P.O. Box 580
    Okmulgee, OK 74447
    (918) 758-6599
    NTsoodle@muscogeenation.com

     

    MCN Veterans Affairs Service Office holds open house

    OKMULGEE, Okla. — The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Veterans Affairs Service Office is holding an open house on Nov. 9 at the VASO Office on the MCN Tribal Complex in Okmulgee, Okla. The open house will celebrate Veterans Day.

    MCN Principal Chief James R. Floyd and Second Chief Louis Hicks will be on site to meet with the veterans and open house attendees.

    “Our chief is going to be here. They like to meet and great the veterans, friends and family as they come in. It is a good way for our chiefs to get to know even better their veterans,” VASO Director Ken Davis said.

    The open house will also showcase the newly redesigned Purple Hearts, Killed in Action and Died of Wounds in Action plaques located in the courtyard of the building.

    “The other ones were being worn out by the elements,” Davis said. “We decided to go a head and make it more presentable. This is a lot more information on it, specifically the divisions and units they fought with.”

    Davis hopes the open house will allow visitors to engage with staff to learn more about our veterans and history.

    The event will be held from 9:00 am to noon. For questions, please call VASO at (918) 732-7739.

     

     

  • Unofficial Election Results

    These results are unofficial and will not be official until Friday at 5:00 pm.

    Run Off Election

    Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017

    Total votes including absentee ballots

    National Council Delegate–Creek District Seat B
    George Tiger119737.70%
    Patrick Freeman JR.197862.30%
    National Council Delegate–Okfuskee District Seat B
    Franklin Coachman136743.36%
    Travis Scott178656.64%
    National Council Delegate–Okmulgee District Seat B
     Carmin Tecumseh-Williams 1530 48.14%
     James Jennings 1648 51.86%
     National Council Delegate –Tukvpvtce District Seat B
     Edwin Marshall 761 24.11%
     Thomasene Yahola-Osborn 239575.89%
     National Council Delegate –Tulsa District Seat B
     Cherrah Giles 133042.13%
     Lucian Tiger III1827 57.87%

    Report from MCN Election Board

  • MCN General Election 2017 Official Statement from Principal Chief

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Nov. 4, 2017

    CONTACT Neely Tsoodle
    PR Manager
    P.O. Box 580
    Okmulgee, OK 74447
    (918) 758-6599
    NTsoodle@muscogeenation.com

    MCN General Election 2017 Official Statement from Principal Chief

    Hesci and congratulations to all the Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council Representatives. My administration and I look forward to working with today’s winners. It is my hope that we will maintain the strong relationship with the Council that we have built thus far. For those who walked away not so victorious, I want to encourage you to stay involved and informed about our government. We need each and every one of you to continue the momentum that we have established to better our Nation for the future.

    -James R. Floyd, Principal Chief

     

  • FY2017 4th Quarter Report

     

    FY17 4th Quarter Report

  • Muscogee (Creek) Nation Jenks-Tulsa Human Services Office is moving

    NEWS  RELEASE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Oct. 18, 2017

    CONTACT Neely Tsoodle
    PR Manager
    P.O. Box 580
    Okmulgee, OK 74447
    (918) 758-6599
    NTsoodle@muscogeenation.com

    Muscogee (Creek) Nation Jenks-Tulsa Human Services Office is moving

    Okmulgee, Okla. – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Jenks-Tulsa Human Services Office is moving to a new location to better serve you. The demand is great so the Muscogee (Creek) Nation sought a new site that is equipped to better meet the needs of the citizens.

    MCN Human Services Director Denise Honawa explained the move is just what clients needed.

    “The Human Services Department is committed to serving Muscogee (Creek) and other federally recognized tribes with the best service and convenience. With this move we are better centrally located with more office space for confidentiality, more parking, and more resources,” said Honawa.

    The Human Service office works to meet certain unmet essential needs of MCN citizens and other federally recognized tribes to enhance quality of life while promoting self-sufficiency and financial stability. It currently offers assistance through thirteen Social Service Programs and our Tribal TANF Program.

    The current office in Jenks will be closed in order for the staff to move to the new site. It will be closed on Friday, October 20.

    The new location is 6711 South Yale, Suite 106, Tulsa, Okla. If you have any questions please call 918.549.2484

  • Muscogee (Creek) Nation Mvskoke Language Program to receive Dream Keepers Award

    NEWS  RELEASE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Oct. 12, 2017

    CONTACT Neely Tsoodle
    PR Manager
    P.O. Box 580
    Okmulgee, OK 74447
    (918) 758-6599
    NTsoodle@muscogeenation.com

    Muscogee (Creek) Nation Mvskoke Language Program to receive Dream Keepers Award

    OKMULGEE, Okla. — The Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission (GTAIAC) has selected the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Mvskoke Language Program as the 2017 Perry Aunko Indigenous Language Preservation Award recipient to be given at the 20th Annual Dream Keepers Awards Banquet on Nov. 7, 2017 at the OU Schusterman Campus in Tulsa.

    According to the GTAIAC, this award acknowledges American Indian community members who are committed to the continuation of the living languages of American Indian peoples. The award also reflects the perspective of its namesake’s commitment to not only the preservation of indigenous languages but to the indigenous way of life. By ensuring the continuation of an indigenous language, the original instructions given to a people by the Creator is honored, and their culture, heritage, and tradition are maintained by such efforts.

    MCN Mvskoke Language Program Manager Judy Montiel said she is glad that the department’s preservation efforts have not gone unnoticed.

    “The numerous events that the staff have participated in, becomes more gratifying to know, that the efforts are not going unnoticed.  Those of us in the Language Program have one intention in mind and that is to have a role in saving this beautiful language that was handed down from our ancestors.  This award is an inspiration to continue to strive for the purpose of raising awareness to further the language and to meet the needs of those willing to learn,” Montiel said.

    MCN Principal Chief James R. Floyd said the work of the Mvskoke Language Program is about maintaining Mvskoke identity for the future.

    “Our language is vital to our identity as Mvskoke people. I am proud of the essential work of Mvskoke Language Program to preserve our language for our future generations,” Floyd said.

  • Muscogee (Creek) Nation takes part in Native American Day Festivities

    NEWS  RELEASE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Oct. 10, 2017

    CONTACT Neely Tsoodle
    PR Manager
    P.O. Box 580
    Okmulgee, OK 74447
    (918) 758-6599
    NTsoodle@muscogeenation.com

     

    Muscogee (Creek) Nation takes part in Native American Day Festivities

    by: Amanda Rutland/MCNPR

    TULSA, Okla. — The Muscogee (Creek) Nation, along with the Cherokee and Osage Nations, participated in the Native American Day celebration Oct. 9, hosted by the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission (GTAIAC) on the Guthrie Green in Tulsa.

    Tulsa is the first major city in Oklahoma to replace Columbus Day with Native American Day.

    “There has been a movement around the country. Many of our great cities adopted Indigenous Peoples Day or Native American Day and, here in Oklahoma home to 39 tribes, it is time our major cities recognize the accomplishments and contributions of our Native peoples,” GTAIAC Commissioner Jim Pepper Henry said.

    Tulsa Mayor GT Bynum spoke at the event.

    “As we work to build this city up in the 21 Century to make it the world-class city that we believe it is. We recognize the contributions of the Native American community to make it that. We recognize that this is, in the whole world, one of the foremost cities that has been shaped and influenced by Native Americans,” Bynum said.

    Modern day Tulsa overlaps the territories of the Muscogee (Creek), Cherokee and Osage Nations, with 70 percent being in the Muscogee (Creek) jurisdiction.

    MCN Principal Chief James R. Floyd thanked the mayor and city council putting Native American Day as a priority.

    “This recognition comes at a time when we the Muscogee people recall our first arrival here in 1836. October is when we remember our forced relocation from our Homelands in Alabama and Georgia and settlement in what is known as Council Oak Park at 18th and Cheyenne,” Floyd said.

    The celebration included exhibition and social dancing with singing by different tribes.

  • Proclamation Family Engagement Month

  • Muscogee (Creek) Nation celebrates City of Tulsa renaming Columbus Day

    NEWS  RELEASE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Oct. 2, 2017

    CONTACT Neely Tsoodle
    PR Manager
    P.O. Box 580
    Okmulgee, OK 74447
    (918) 758-6599
    NTsoodle@muscogeenation.com

    Muscogee (Creek) Nation celebrates City of Tulsa renaming Columbus Day

    Okmulgee, Okla. —At one time more than 70 percent of the city that is now Tulsa was Muscogee (Creek) Nation Territory and because of this MCN has been invited to celebrate Tulsa’s first Native American Day.

    The Tulsa City Council passed a resolution last week renaming Columbus Day as ‘Indigenous Day’ or ‘Native American Day’ in honor of this area’s original inhabitants. The move to make the change started with the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission (GTAIAC), a committee within the Tulsa City Government.

    Native Americans have continuously inhabited the Greater Tulsa Area for thousands of years. Today, Tulsa is home to approximately 30,000 Native Americans (according to the latest census figures) representing dozens of Native tribes. By adopting “Native American Day”, Tulsa will formally recognize its indigenous populations who have made valuable contributions to our community through shared knowledge, stewardship of the land, labor, science, technology, philosophy, arts, and deep cultural influences that have substantially shaped the character of the city of Tulsa.

    “The Muscogee (Creek) Nation jurisdiction represents 67-percent of Tulsa. This is our home after we were removed from our original homelands in Alabama and Georgia,” said Principal Chief James Floyd. “So renaming this day is a great honor, not to just the Mvskoke, but to all Natives in this great state and I am proud of the City of Tulsa for making this happen.”

    GTAIAC unanimously agreed that “Native American Day” was a more specific and accurate acknowledgment of our Native populations. Native Americans are a significant part of the demographic of the Greater Tulsa Area and Oklahoma.

    Oklahoma is home to 39 federally recognized Native American tribes. The boundaries of three of these federally recognized tribes (Cherokee, Muscogee Creek, and Osage) converge within the City of Tulsa metro area. The Commission also has plans to work with Tulsa area stakeholders to develop educational materials to be incorporated into the curriculum of area public schools.

    “We are very grateful that Mayor G.T. Bynum and the City Council acknowledge this factual history of America versus the inaccurate history that is widely taught in our educational system,” says Sammy Haynes, Chair of the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission (GTAIAC).

    Tulsa now joins other major cities that formally acknowledge “Native American Day” or “Indigenous Peoples Day” on the second Monday in October as a replacement or in conjunction with Columbus Day. These cities include Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Seattle, Denver, Phoenix, Anchorage, Portland, and Albuquerque.

    The Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission (GTAIAC) and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation is planning activities which will be open to the public on “Native American Day,” Monday, October 9th, at Guthrie Green, 111 East M.B. Brady Street, Tulsa, OK 74103 from 9:30 am to 2 pm.

     

  • 24th Annual Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride Makes Final Stop at Claude Cox Omniplex

    NEWS  RELEASE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Sept. 29, 2017

    CONTACT Neely Tsoodle
    PR Manager
    P.O. Box 580
    Okmulgee, OK 74447
    (918) 758-6599
    NTsoodle@muscogeenation.com

    24th Annual Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride Makes Final Stop at Claude Cox Omniplex

    Approximately 25,000 – 30,000 bikers began the long journey from Waterloo, Alabama to Okmulgee

     OKMULGEE, Okla. — On a beautiful sunny afternoon of Sept. 18, Anne Edwards, descendant of a Trail of Tears survivor, anxiously awaited the arrival of 17 bikers who traveled west from Waterloo, Alabama to both raise public awareness about the Drane/Hood Overland Route and to mark this specific overland Trail of Tears route that was in danger of being lost in history.

    Wotko Long, member of Big Cussetah Church, opened the welcome reception with a Muscogee hymn. Melissa Moffer followed with the reading of the Lord’s Prayer in the Mvskoke language. Anne Edwards, MCN Historic and Cultural Preservation Tower Cell Notification System Coordinator, shared a story about her family’s experience with the Trail of Tears.

    “My great, great grandmother survived the Trail of Tears,” said Edwards. “When she was three years old, her parents refused to leave their home and the soldiers shot and killed her parents, an older couple came along and picked her up as she was standing there crying and scared. This couple adopted her and moved her with them to Oklahoma. My mother passed this story down to me and I will pass it down to my son so that our family will never forget how we came here.”

    In 1994, the first annual Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride was organized by the AL-TN Trail of Tears Corridor Association, Inc. (ATTOTCAI). Since the first ride in 1994, with Terry Sweet flying the flag on his bike from Ross Landing to Huntsville where the flag was transferred to Rod Wheeler’s bike for the ride from Huntsville to Waterloo; and when not carrying a flag, Terry Sweet, Bill Cason, Rod Wheeler, Jerry Davis, Rudy Rainwater, Greg Bass (Christian Motorcycle Association), Gary Kinney and two others riders were taking turns at road guard on the initial ride with Kenneth Campbell in his famous red pickup as ride support. The event has grown significantly since this first ride with 25,000 -30,000 bikers participating in this years ride.

    ATTOTCAI has placed markers along the 230 mile highway route closely following the Trail of Tears removal route, with Trail of Tears Association (TOTA) placing markers on the actual historical foot trails and coincident roads used during the removal. The motorcycle ride visited the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in 2005 when the association placed a Historical Marker at the Creek Council House Museum in downtown Okmulgee.

    The MCN Historic and Cultural Preservation Department presented a Pendleton blanket to Ike Moore, ATTOTCAI Vice-President. MCN National Council Speaker, Lucian Tiger, and Edwards presented the blanket to Moore on behalf of the Nation.

    Kevan Hutto, ATTOTCAI Public Relations Coordinator, presented the Nation with a Trail of Tears flag and spoke of how the flag, completing the full journey twice, was flown on the back of his bike. “The flag is a little tattered and worn,” said Hutto. “However, it survived the trip just as many of those on the Trail of Tears did years ago.”

    For more information, contact the MCN Historic and Cultural Preservation Department at 918-732-7733 or visit http://al-tn-trailoftears.net/ridehistory.php.

     

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  • Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Native American Nations recognized with commemorative statue

    (Photo by: Amanda Rutland/MCNPR) Artist Daniel Horsechief looking toward statue titled ‘Transcendent’ as it is delivered to Blairsville, Ga.

    NEWS  RELEASE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Sept. 26, 2017

    CONTACT Neely Tsoodle
    PR Manager
    P.O. Box 580
    Okmulgee, OK 74447
    (918) 758-6599
    NTsoodle@muscogeenation.com

    Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Native American Nations recognized with commemorative statue

    Blairsville, Ga. — We Are Still Here is the name of the organization that unveiled “Transcendent,” the statue that now overlooks Meeks Park, Blairsville, Ga. The 10-foot transcending warrior overlooking the park was revealed Sept. 21 before community, state and tribal leaders of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Eastern and Oklahoma Cherokee and Keetoowah Nations.

    We Are Still Here are an organization called Leadership Union is made up of Blairsville leaders whose mission is to educate the history of the “Trail of Tears” and the Muskogean people who once lived in this area, the Cherokee and the Mvskoke (Muscogee) to be exact. Kathie Tiger Garrett became the face of the organization, not purposely but because she inadvertently met the man who chairs the organization. Jim Brown and Garrett became the perfect duo to help raise awareness.

    Garrett explained how her son was learning the Native American ties to the area. She was astonished that no one in her son’s classroom or school for that matter knew that Mvskoke people were still alive and thriving. Even more surprising, the class didn’t even realize her son was an Mvskoke Native. “We are a people that’s growing and thriving economically, in the gospel, in the traditions and in our language,” said Garrett. This became her mission to have a commemorative piece placed in the community.

    Daniel Horsechief, Cherokee and Pawnee, was selected to fashion a sculpture that would capture its history. He worked with We Are Still Here to come up with “Transcendent,” which represents the original people who lived here that didn’t rely on the outside world, yet rose from adversity. “We worked on this together for three years,” said Horsechief. “You realize what a team effort it is. Even the artist, it’s your hands but it’s actually the visions given to you by the Almighty.”

    We Are Still Here raised more than $40,000 for the sculpture and event cost. The occasion was marked with a proclamation read by Muscogee (Creek) Nation Second Chief Louis Hicks, hymn singing from the Native Praise group of Oklahoma, a stickball exhibition from the Eastern Band of Cherokee and stompdance performance from the Chickasaw Nation.

    “It’s a humbling thought to be a part of something so great and the Creator to allow me to play a little part. It was emotional for me,” said Garrett. “It’s who we are. That’s our tradition, we’ve not gone anywhere. Even though you know we were removed years ago, our ancestors but yet we are still here,” said Garrett.

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    (photo by: Neely Tsoodle/MCNPR) Tribal Officials and state artist during the unveiling Sept. 21.

  • Tulsa American Film Festival Honors Will Sampson with Retrospective Series

    PRESS RELEASE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Sept. 25, 2017

     

    MEDIA CONTACT:
    Shagah Zakerion
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    shagah.zakerion@gmail.com

    CONTACT Neely Tsoodle
    PR Manager
    P.O. Box 580
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    Tulsa American Film Festival Honors Will Sampson with Retrospective Series

    TULSA, Okla. — Tulsa American Film Festival will honor Oklahoma Native American painter, actor and performer Will Sampson with a film retrospective screening at the Philbrook Museum downtown, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” on Oct. 2 at Circle Cinema, and “Poltergeist II” showing Oct. 13 also at Circle Cinema (“The Outlaw Josey Wales” was shown on Sept. 15).

    The festival, which focuses on Native American, Latino, Oklahoma-based, and student filmmakers, chose to recognize Sampson for his profound contributions to the film industry and representation of Native Americans in film.

    Sampson’s daughter, Andra Freeman, is proud to see her father’s work honored.

    “June marked the 30-year anniversary of my dad’s passing,” Freeman said. “Although gone, he is not forgotten, by family and his fans alike. I am truly grateful to the Tulsa American Film Festival for the Retrospective of Dad’s work, further promoting his legacy and inspiration for the next generations.”

    Sampson is best known for his performance in Academy Award winning film “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” where he played Chief Bromden. For local film maker Sterlin Harjo, this performance made a lasting impact on his own work.

    “Will Sampson is a pioneer for all native people in cinema because he gave one of the first performances of a contemporary native on screen,” Harjo said. “Sampson as Chief is a three-dimensional, complex human being informed by his nativeness but not burdened by cliché. He helped make it ok for natives to be normal human beings. He helped us be, right now. And he’s ours, Muscogee (Creek), Oklahoman, he is ours and someone to be proud of.”

    Principal Chief James R. Floyd of Muscogee (Creek) Nation joins the TAFFest in supporting Sampson’s legacy.

    “It is with great honor that we welcome the works of the great Will Sampson,” Chief Floyd said. “Today, the late actor is one of the most notable and recognizable Mvskoke citizens and for that we are proud to call him our own. We want to say Mvto (thank you) to the Tulsa American Film Festival for bringing attention to his life’s work in these movie classics.”

    Floyd will be on hand to make remarks as well as TAFFest’s Director Ben Arredondo.

    Individual tickets to screenings can be purchased online for $6-$8 at www.tulsaamericanfilmfest.com.

    About the Tulsa American Film Festival: Tulsa American Film Festival serves the Tulsa community through the world of film and creates opportunities for industry professionals by offering programs of American-made feature and short films of all genres, with a focus on American filmmakers, local Oklahoma films, Native American produced films and student films, and including industry driven panels and discussions.

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