BIXBY – The city of Bixby became the first city in Oklahoma to use the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s flag as a part of their official flags flown at government buildings during a ceremony on Nov. 10.
The flag raising was attended by MCN leadership and Bixby city officials, including: MCN Principal Chief David Hill, Second Chief Del Beaver, Secretary of Culture & Humanities Raelynn Butler, National Council Second Speaker Thomasene Yahola Osborn, Tvlse District Representative Robert Hufft, Bixby Mayor Brad Girard, Bixby Vice-Mayor Bobby Schultz, and many others.
Mayor Girard took a moment to speak on the historic relationship between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the city of Bixby during the ceremony. “Tonight’s ceremony is a meaningful moment, one that recognizes the deep history, rich culture, and enduring presence of the Muscogee (Creek) people on this land,” Girard said.
“Bixby stands within the historic boundaries of the Muscogee Nation, and we are proud to celebrate the partnership and the friendship to grow between our communities.”
The flag raising came after the Aug. 11 approval by the Bixby City Council to fly the MCN flag at the Bixby City Municipality Building. During the meeting MCNNC Speaker Randall Hicks presented the flag to the city. The idea was proposed by MCN citizen Lahoma Schultz.
Bixby is not the first to bring forward legislation to fly the flag of the Muscogee Nation as a part of their official flags.
The city of Broken Arrow previously passed legislation to use the Muscogee (Creek) Nation flag as a part of their flags to be officially flown at government buildings after a city council meeting at Broken Arrow’s City Hall on Sept. 16, which included a ceremony in which the city was presented with a flag from the Nation.
Attendees from the Nation in that ceremony included Chief Hill, National Council Speaker Randall Hicks, Secretary Butler, and National Council Representatives Hufft and Leonard Gouge, who represent the Tvlse District where Broken Arrow is located.
“Everything that we do here is for the next generation to come, and it’s just showing a great partnership that we have with the city of Bixby,” Chief Hill said.
This sentiment was echoed by Vice-Mayor Schultz, who spoke of how proud he was of the enduring partnership between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the City of Bixby.
“I’m proud that Bixby is the first municipality to enact an ordinance to fly the flag of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. As the flag is lifted, let us take a moment to reflect on the history, strength, and resilience of the Muscogee (Creek) people,” Schultz said.
