Kialegee Tribal Town
Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and Seminole |
The Kialegee Tribal Town is a
Government
The Kialegee Tribal Town is headquartered in Wetumka, Oklahoma. Of the 700 enrolled tribal members, 629 live within the state of Oklahoma. Its tribal jurisdictional area falls in Creek County, Muskogee County, Tulsa County, County, Okmulgee County, Hughes, McIntosh, Okfuskee counties.[3]
The tribe's Mekko or Chief is elected for a term of two years.[4]
The tribe's citizenship or membership rules requires individuals to be a full-blood Native American: half to full-blood Muscogee Creek and up to one-half Indian of any other tribe.[5] Documentation for enrollment follows matrilineal descent,[6] as this was their traditional kinship system. Children were considered born to the mother's family and clan, and property or hereditary roles passed through her people. Today, any descendant of a female Kialegee tribal member is automatically eligible for tribal membership. Spouses of Kialegee tribal members may petition for membership. In special circumstances, any full-blood Indian may petition the tribe for enrollment as an "Adopted Member."[5]
The Kialegee Tribal Town operates its own tribal courts. It has an environmental educational program for youth, the Kialegee Tribal Town's Environmental "Kub" Program.[3]
Culture
Town members and visitors celebrate the annual Kialegee Nettv (Day), a gathering that celebrates the town's history and culture.[1]
History
Kialegee emerged as an independent town from a larger Creek town, Tuckabatche,
On June 29, 1796 leaders from Kialegee signed a peace treaty with the new United States. But, within a decade the townspeople joined the
The tribe settled south of what would become
After the passage of the
The tribe ratified its constitution and by-laws on June 12, 1941.[5] The tribe is governed by a mekko or town king.[6] Additional officers are the First Warrior, Second Warrior, Secretary, and Treasurer.[5] The first tribal headquarters was the home of Martin Givens.[5]
Tribal flag
The flag of the tribe contains a sky blue circle, featuring a pair of stickball sticks, used in the traditional game still played at ceremonial grounds today. The black cross at the top represents the Christian religion. To the left is a hollowed log and beater, which women used to grind corn meal, central to Muscogee diets. At the bottom is a ceremonial lodge with a rounded bark roof, built on an earthwork mound. This lodge was the center of the tribal town for religious and civic gatherings and also a shelter for the needy. The earthwork mound refers to the Mississippian culture heritage of modern Muscogee people and the complex mounds that still exist of that culture. The bald eagle at the right is a sacred animal, featured in many tribal stories.[9]
Economic development
The Kialegee Etvlwv Business Committee operates a daycare, gas station, and smoke shop. Kialegee Tribal Town also operates its own housing division. In 2008, its annual tribal economic impact was $1,017,684.[3]
In 2011 Kialegee Tribal Town was preparing land for development of a Red Clay Casino in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The National Indian Gaming Commission was reviewing the project closely, as local residents and businesses strongly opposed it.[10] The Red Clay Casino plan was halted by a legal injunction in 2012, and despite subsequent progress by the Kialegee in court, was not continued.[11]
In 2017 controversy arose regarding proposed Kialegee development of a different tract of land in
Notes
- ^ a b c Clark 175
- ^ Clark 173
- ^ a b c 2011 Oklahoma Indian Nations Pocket Pictorial Directory. Archived 2012-05-12 at the Wayback Machine Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission. 2011: 17. Retrieved 4 Jan 2012.
- ^ "Kialegee Festival, American Indian Cultural Center and Museum Newsletter. 2009 Q4.
- ^ a b c d e United States Department of the Interior Office of Indian Affairs. Constitution and By-Laws of the Kialegee Tribal Town, Oklahoma. Washington DC, 1942.
- ^ a b c d e Moore, John H. "Kialegee Tribal Town." Oklahoma Historical Society's Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & Culture
- ^ Clark 174
- ^ Clark, 174-5
- ^ Healy, Donald T., and Peter J. Orenski. Native American Flags. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2003: 112-3.
- ^ Hylton, Susan. "Sullivan joins BA casino battle", Tulsa World, 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2018
- ^ a b Paighten Harkins. "Creek Nation police raid potential casino site on tribal land in Broken Arrow, arrest property owner", "Tulsa World," August 16, 2017.
- ^ Paighten Harkins. "Kialegee Tribal Town will resist Muscogee (Creek) Nation interference in possible Broken Arrow casino", Tulsa World, August 8, 2017.
References
- Clark, C. Blue. Indian Tribes of Oklahoma: A Guide. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2009. ISBN 978-0-8061-4060-5.
External links
- Kialegee Tribal Town, Oklahoma Historical Society
- Constitution and By-Laws of the Kialegee Tribal Town, Oklahoma