Okmulgee -
Members of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation (MCN) and others celebrated Creek Indian heritage this weekend.
Thousands of people converged on the headquarters of the MCN this weekend to take in sports, art, food, festivities, live music, culture, and the heritage of the Creek people at the 38th Annual Muscogee (Creek) Nation Festival.
The festival ran throughout the month of June but concluded on Sunday.
Activities included a golf tournament, a softball tournament, a basketball tournament, a stomp dance, a Miss and Junior Miss Muscogee Nation Pageant, a corn stalk shoot, a 5K walk/run, a horseshoe tournament, a volleyball tournament, and Creek gospel singing.
Each June, thousands of people gather at the MCN Claude Cox Omniplex to attend the cultural activities, numerous sport tournaments, live entertainment, an all-Indian rodeo, parade, art market, children's activities, and all other activities that have become synonymous with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Festival and contemporary Muscogee life.
All activities are free and open to the public.
The Claude Cox Omniplex is located just west of the intersection of Highway 75 and Loop 56 North in Okmulgee.
The MCN is a Federally-recognized tribe of Muscogee people, also known as the Creek. They are regarded as one of the historical Five Civilized Tribes.
When Oklahoma gained statehood in 1907, Creek Indians lost over two million acres to non-Native settlers and the U.S. government.
The MCN reorganized and regained Federal recognition in 1970.
They are headquartered in Okmulgee.
Photo courtesy Christina GoodVoice
