Muscogee (Creek) Nation Statement on 10th Circuit Ruling in Hooper v. Tulsa
“We’re pleased to see that the 10th Circuit has applied the correct rule of law concerning the questions before it regarding the Curtis Act. We can now move forward, expand resources and continue to flourish together with our partners rather than wasting anymore time challenging the sovereign rights of tribes.”
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OKMULGEE, Okla., – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Library and Archives will go live with a new digital archive on June 14th, 2023. The digital archive will be available to Mvskoke citizens and the public and will feature a wide variety of historical documents and resources pertaining to Mvskoke history, culture, and language, and will include video and audio interviews from our recent oral history project titled, “A Twenty-First Century Pandemic in Indian Country: The Resilience of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Against Covid-19.” In January 2021, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation awarded the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Historic and Cultural Preservation Department a $100,000 community-based archives grant to fund the Covid-19 oral history project and the creation of a new digital archive.
Supported by Mukurtu (Mook-oo-too), meaning “dilly-bag” or “a place of safekeeping” in the Aboriginal Warumungu language, this Indigenous archival platform created in Australia was selected for its ability to provide a safe space to store and share heritage items, stories, and knowledge. Interactive features of the archive include a comment section to share information or ask questions. Visitors can also set up an account and create a personal “collection” from items found within the digital archive. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Library and Archives will continue to digitize archival collections and make them accessible on the digital archive.
As we launch the new digital archive, we want to highlight the forty Mvskoke citizens and community members who have shared their experiences with Covid-19 and the pandemic. Visitors can listen to amazing stories of Mvskoke sharing experiences of hardship, grief, resilience, and survival during the Covid-19 pandemic. The oral histories can also be accessed at the library’s new Oral History Research Station. According to MCN Oral Historian Midge Dellinger, “The digital archive is a game changer in how Mvskoke people can now access library resources online. I hope people engage with the archives as learners and teachers; it belongs to all of us, and we all have much knowledge to share.”
The digital archive is available at mvskokenationallibraryarchive.org.
For more information, please call the Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Library and Archives at 918-732-7733.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief David Hill Responds to Governor’s Veto of Native American Regalia Bill
“It’s unfortunate that once again we are addressing an issue with Indigenous students wearing tribal regalia to honor their academic achievement and accomplishments at graduation. When students choose to express the culture and heritage of their respective Nations to signify this moment in their lives, it is not to ‘demand special favor to wear whatever they please,’ it is to honor their identity. We must continue to communicate the unique aspect of this honor, and that allowing this expression is in no manner a gateway to introduce chaos and irreverence into formal ceremonies. The overwhelming support of this bill among legislators should be a clear message that more and more people are understanding the message. Laws are made to protect these rights. It’s time that once and for all, we do the right thing by these students and respect their family choices. We’re disappointed that the Governor is standing in the way of that with his veto.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Statement Regarding Oklahoma Supreme Court’s Ruling On The Indian Child Welfare Act
OKMULGEE, Okla. — The Muscogee (Creek) Nation (the “Nation”) is disheartened and disappointed to learn of a ruling issued this week by the Oklahoma Supreme Court in the Matter of S.J.W. regarding the application of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) to a case involving a Muscogee Creek child who lives on the Chickasaw Nation Reservation. Soon after the McGirt decision affirming the continued status of the Nation’s Reservation, the Nation found itself in a precarious situation needing to immediately exercise full child welfare authority over all Indian children in the Reservation as required by ICWA and the Nation’s own laws. To that end, the Nation and the State met, negotiated, and entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement providing for Indian child welfare cases in the Reservation involving the Nation or the State to remain at status quo while the Nation built up its capacity to exercise full ICWA jurisdiction in the Reservation.
This intergovernmental partnership between the Nation and the State represented a good faith arrangement between two sovereigns to provide for a temporary fix and to avoid serious disruptions to Indian child welfare cases in the Reservation.
Now, the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s ruling disrupts that partnership and causes unnecessary confusion over what is specifically affirmed in ICWA—that Indian tribes have exclusive authority over child custody proceedings involving all Indian children residing within reservation boundaries. The Court’s central holding that the State retains concurrent jurisdiction with the Nation over the case since the child is a Creek Citizen residing in another Nation’s Reservation is a result in direct contradiction to the clear statutory text of ICWA.
Principal Chief David Hill said, “It is unfortunate the Oklahoma Supreme Court chose this path to reach a result inconsistent with what Congress intended and wrote when enacting ICWA. The workers and advocates at the Nation’s Children and Family Services work tirelessly every day in support of one of ICWA’s key purposes, that ‘there is no resource that is more vital to the continued existence and integrity of Indian tribes than their children…’ Despite this ruling, the Nation will persevere and remain strong in upholding and defending ICWA and our own laws to protect all Indian children residing within our Reservation.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Muscogee Nation Hosts Second Annual Mvskoke Art Market
Artwork by more than 80 artists representing over 20 Native American tribes to be featured.
TULSA, Okla. – The Second Annual Mvskoke Art Market is set to take place at the River Spirit Casino and Resort in Tulsa, Oklahoma on April 22-23. This year’s event is anticipated to be an expanded version of last year’s inaugural success.
Muscogee Nation Cultural Center and Archives Program Manager, ShaVon Agee and her team worked with the River Spirit staff to add more booth space which increased the featured artist count from 60 to 82. The two-day list of events includes presentations on indigenous creativity and Mvskoke culture, traditional demonstrations and an all-native comedy show. “Our goal was to expand and offer additional programming and cultural presentations to increase attendees’ overall experience. I believe this year’s lineup will be a great success,” Agee said.
Various works of art from paintings, sculptures, pottery, carvings, textiles and more will be available for viewing as well as purchasing. The Mvskoke Art Market opens to the public at 10 a.m. on both days and admission is free.
For a full list of events and profiles on featured artists, follow the Mvskoke Art Market’s official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/mvskokeartmarket or visit the Market’s webpage at https://www.dev.muscogeenation.com/mvskokeartmarket/ .
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Shelby Botone
918-549-2453
sbotone@muscogeenation.com
The 16-week program is fully funded with no out-of-pocket costs to participants.
OKMULGEE, Okla. – The Muscogee Nation Employment and Training Administration will hold a certification ceremony on April 19 for those that have completed the Pipeline/Natural Gas Compression Technician Training Program.
The 16-week program, a partnership between the tribe and Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology and Marathon Petroleum, is specifically designated for Muscogee (Creek) Citizens. The competitive application process began in November of last year with the program accepting a maximum of 10 applicants.
Classes began in January on the OSUIT campus. The program provides students with on-campus housing, meal plans, residential stipends and covers all tuition costs. Students learn and engage in a hands-on experience in courses pertaining to the fundamentals and principles of gas compressors and pipeline material and components.
“This program gives Muscogee (Creek) citizens an opportunity to build a career in the demanding pipeline and natural gas field so that they may make competitive wages and provide for themselves and their families,” ETA Workforce Development Coordinator Gerrell Thomas said. Thomas added that the program offers students, “… an opportunity to learn a specialized trade with 100 percent job placement (upon) completion of the program.”
Caleb Wittman, 27 of Weleetka, says he learned of the program on social media and was immediately interested. When asked about his experience, Wittman stated that the program was, “Quick, simple and a good learning experience.” And said that his favorite part was, “The hands-on parts of the courses for sure.”
For more information about the Pipeline/CNG Technician Training Program, please contact Muscogee Nation Employment and Training at 918-732-7773.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Jason Salsman
jsalsman@muscogeenation.com
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Officials Ask Appellate Judges to Reject Tulsa’s Claim of Jurisdiction in Hooper v. City of Tulsa
TULSA, Okla. – The U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals held oral arguments in Justin Hooper v. City of Tulsa earlier today in Denver. The appellant, Justin Hooper, a member of the Choctaw Tribe, received a speeding ticket in 2018 from the City of Tulsa while within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Reservation. He was found guilty and paid the fine, however in 2020, he filed for postconviction relief in the Municipal Criminal Court of the City of Tulsa, claiming that the City of Tulsa did not have jurisdiction over tribal citizens while on the Reservation. His appeal has since been elevated to the 10th Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals where oral arguments were heard today.
Muscogee (Creek) Nation filed an amicus brief with the Court arguing against the City of Tulsa asserting jurisdiction over tribal citizens while within the Nation’s Reservation boundaries. The Nation’s Attorney General, Geri Wisner, was in attendance for the oral arguments before the court today.
Statement from Attorney General Wisner: “The law is clear that the City of Tulsa’s claims have no legal merit. The case is just another novel attempt to undermine the criminal jurisdiction restored to tribes in the historic McGirt case.”
Statement from Principal Chief David Hill: “I’m proud of our legal team today, but it’s frustrating that we keep having to beat back these baseless legal attacks on our jurisdiction. The time, money, and energy that goes into these cases would be much better spent working together to make our communities safer.”
A copy of the full amicus brief filed by Muscogee (Creek) Nation can be viewed HERE.
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For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Jason Salsman
(539) 286-4559
jsalsman@muscogeenation.com
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Begins Fielding New $3 Million Communications System
OKMULGEE, Okla. — The Muscogee (Creek) Nation has begun fielding the tribe’s new $3 million Harris quad-band radio communications system.
In February, the Nation went live with portable radios and has now begun installation in its police, EMS, Emergency Management vehicles and healthcare facilities.
“Equipping the Nation with this state-of-the-art technology provides the tribe’s public safety employees with the rapid response capabilities needed to ensure the safety and security of all who live within our borders,” MCN Director of Emergency Management Bobby Howard said. “This system allows the Nation to provide seamless coverage of all 11 counties of our Reservation.”
The Muscogee Nation purchased the new system in December with a unanimous vote of approval and support from the tribe’s National Council. In total, there will be 325 radios comprised of portable, mobile and the latest in dispatch consoles.
“We talk a lot about being there for our people and for our communities. Equipping our officers, first responders, emergency management officials and hospitals with the absolute best resources available is an affirmation of the level of our commitment,” Principal Chief David Hill said. “The entire process from receiving the radios in the first week of January, to going live and operational on February 28, took only 60 days, and that’s a testament to all who worked so hard.”
The rapid delivery and fielding of this program was made possible through a collaborative effort between the Nation, L3 Harris and the City of Broken Arrow Communications Division.
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