OKMULGEE, Okla. – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Complex skyline now has a new shape with the addition of the Citizen Services building. The structure saw its final beam placed at a topping out ceremony held on April 14. Tribal leadership including Principal Chief David Hill, Second Chief Del Beaver, members of the National Council, and members of Chief’s cabinet were present to witness the historic event. The 167,000 square feet, four-floor facility was designed by New Fire Native Design Group and FSB-AE, which are also responsible for the designs of Looped Square Meat Co. and the Safe Space Facility. The building broke ground on December 12, 2023.
New Fire Native Design President Jason Holuby said the new structure will feature Mvskoke cultural motifs in its design, and will begin the process of making the tribal complex more walkable and safe for visitors and employees.
“Our team worked tirelessly to integrate thoughtful and meaningful Mvskoke culture throughout the project.” Holuby said. “Today is a celebration of progress. Not only in the building’s construction but progress of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Progress of us as a people.”
A topping out ceremony is a way to celebrate a milestone made during construction of a new building, typically when the final and highest steel beam is put in place. The tradition goes as far back as 700 A.D. in Scandinavia. Although it marks a milestone, it does not mark the full completion of the project.
Former MCN Chiefs that attended Monday’s topping out ceremony included Bill Fife, George Tiger and James Floyd. Former National Council member James Jennings attended in place of former Chief A.D. Ellis. According to Chief Hill, having former living chiefs present for the ceremony was symbolic because the new building not only represented his administration’s vision for the tribe, but former administrations as well.
“One of the things that we did want to do was pursue the master plan that Chief Floyd had put in. After the Supreme Court ruling we knew we had to expand,” Chief Hill said. “Just six or seven months ago my Chief of Staff, Jeff Fife, found the comprehensive plan that former Chief (Bill) Fife and Ed Mouss put together. This was a vision all the former chiefs had.”
Bill Fife was invited to give remarks about the tribe’s history of serving citizens. Along with the Nation’s first executive director, Ed Mouss, Fife was there in 1979 when the tribe adopted a new constitution and the modern government was formed. Fife had previously served as principal chief from 1992-1996.
“These things didn’t just happen, they were planned out. They did really good things for our people,” Bill Fife said. “The new tribal services administration building represents just that: progress. We’re making progress. We have to stay ahead of the game and take care of our citizens’ needs.”
The building is more than just a shiny new structure, it is a facility that will make trips on the tribal complex much more efficient. According to MCNC Speaker Randall Hicks, this project took a team effort to bring to life.
“It took us all to work together in order for this to come true. Many visions, many hearts and it’s not about us. It’s about our Muscogee people.” Speaker Hicks said. “As Chief Hill has said many times before, it’s going to be a ‘one-stop shop’, instead of going all over the reservation now we have one building to service all of our Muscogee people.”
Candor Building Solutions, the construction company constructing the design, estimates the completion date of the project for the first quarter of 2026.
