OKMULGEE – College of Muscogee Nation Environmental Science Club students spent Wednesday, April 22, outside enjoying activities and planting.
The day started with meditation, tai chi, and breakfast. Students then participated in communal planting and enjoyed a barbecue picnic catered by Looped Square. In the afternoon, students and faculty painted the west side of the college’s garden shed and competed in a cornhole tournament. In the evening, an outdoor movie was screened by a campfire.
This year marks the club’s third anniversary. Last year, the club planted a Council Oak Tree heirloom sapling on the college grounds. That sapling has now spawned its own sapling. This year’s event expanded to include simple, relaxing outdoor activities like beading, rock painting, and tie-dyeing t-shirts.
CMN Horticulturalist and Extension Educator Courtney Natseway (Mvskoke/Yakima/Laguna Pueblo) explained that communal planting pays homage to traditional Mvskoke agricultural practices, in which an entire Tribal town plants together in a large field. Club members planted sofkee corn around the campus’ garden gazebo.
CMN Student Daniel Sanders (Seminole/Mvskoke/Choctaw/Cado/Comanche) is the founder of the Environmental Science Club. He graduated with his Associate Degree in General Studies and Natural Resources in 2025. Now he’s studying to complete a Native American Studies degree and a Mvskoke Language certificate.
The club has a servant-minded focus, traveling to different areas around the community to volunteer. The club has volunteered at places like the Yardeka Indian Community, the Euchee Butterfly Farm, Burning Cedar Sovereign Wellness, and the Phillip Deere Roundhouse. The group has built and maintained gardens at the college and provided services at the Ceremonial Grounds and churches. According to Sanders, the club has increased participation since its founding.
“How it has changed is more involvement with the club, the opportunities we have available now,” Sanders said.
Both Sanders and Natesway believe Earth Day is not a singular date on the calendar. Natesway admits that, given her position, she spends more time with Mother Earth than the average student or faculty member.
“This is the stuff I think about all the time. I think about soil health, good plant health, the quality of the environment,” Natesway said. “For me, Earth Day means bringing out people to the garden, bringing out students who aren’t natural resources students, and exposing them to what we do for a day.”
To learn more about Earth Day and Earth Day initiatives, visit earthday.org.
