Five Civilized Tribes Support Halt to Casino Expansion

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Challenges. Discussion »

TULSA, OKLAHOMA – The Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes, which includes the Chickasaw, Choctaw, Cherokee, Muscogee (Creek) and Seminole Nations, have passed a resolution that calls for the halting of the Poarch Band of Creek's expansion on Hickory Ground in Wetumpka, Alabama.

Poarch Band of Creek Casino Expansion on
Hickory Ground in Wetumpka

Signatures on the resolution were: Bill Anoatubby, governor of the Chickasaw Nation; Gregory E.Pyle, chief of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; Bill John Baker, principal chief of the Cherokee Nation; George Tiger, principal chief of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Ella Colman for Leonard M. Harjo, principal chief of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma.

The expansion on Ocevpfv, known as Hickory Ground, has angered many tribal members of the Muscogee Nation because of the desecration by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, which is federally recognized, of land on where the casino is being expanded.

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians excavated over 60 human remains and associated funerary objects, including the remains of seven mekkos - or chiefs - that were buried in the arbors of the original ceremonial ground, according to the resolution.

The Poarch Band of Creek purchased the land in 1984 and built a casino on the land. At contention is how the matter was handled. The Poarch Band of Creek maintains it has, as a tribe, done everything in accordance to federal law.

“As an Indian nation with close cultural, if not familial ties to the Muscogee Nation, we are disappointed by recent statements that do not accurately reflect Poarch's efforts to maintain the site and preserve a relationship with the Muscogee Nation. We have honored our agreement to preserve the Ceremonial Ground, just as we honor the history and cultural significance of our shared heritage,”

noted Robbie McGhee, Poarch's Tribal Treasurer and head of its government affairs office in August.

Representatives of the Muscogee Nation will bring the matter to the attention of the National Congress of American Indians in its annual conference due to begin next week in Sacramento, California.

posted October 16, 2012 8:50 am edt