For Immediate Release
June 16, 2022
Media Contact: Jason Salsman
(Okmulgee, Oklahoma) – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation will host its third annual Honor Walk to Protect Sacred Places on Tuesday, June 21 at 11am at the Claude Cox Omniplex Pavilion in Okmulgee. The walk is organized to bring awareness to sacred lands protection in observance of the National Day of Prayer to Protect Native American Sacred Places.”
“The Muscogee (Creek) Nation is proud to host the third annual Walk to Protect Sacred Places to bring awareness to the threats that ancient lands face, particularly in the Southwest United States – our indigenous lands,” said David Hill, the Principal Chief of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. “Everyone is welcome to join us for a day of learning and celebration.”
Ancient and sacred sites that are threatened include Hickory Ground, best known as the last capital of the National Council of the Creek Nation, before being forced to re-locate from Alabama to Oklahoma via the “Trail of Tears.” Human remains and funerary objects from over 57 Muscogee (Creek) graves were desecrated to build a casino. The Las Vegas-style resort features 2,500 slot machines, a 16,000-gallon saltwater aquarium, and a 20-story hotel and spa – and was built directly on top the resting place of Muscogee (Creek) ancestors. Federal authorities at the Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and National Park Service had multiple opportunities to stop the desecration, yet they stood idly by while this site was systematically violated, and a host of federal laws and regulations ignored.
Who: Muscogee (Creek) Nation citizens and leaders including Mekko George Thompson and Jay Fife of Oce Vpofv Cuko Rakko (Hickory Ground), Chief David Hill, and Second Chief Del Beaver.
What: Third Annual Walk to Protect Sacred Lands and Places
When: Tuesday, June 21 at 11am
Where: Claude Cox Omniplex Pavilion
Why: To bring awareness to sacred lands protection in observance for the National Day of Prayer to Protect Native American Sacred Places.
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