OKEMAH – The Okemah Indian Community Center celebrated its 40th anniversary as a chartered community in August. Project Coordinator for the center, Rose Mary Ramsey (Mvskoke), said they became a chartered community center on August 11, 1986. During the celebration, speakers included Former MCN Chief James Floyd, along with his wife, and MCN Council Representatives Sandra Golden and Anna Marshall.
The center had a huge cake specially baked by one of their members; they also had beverages, gourmet popcorn, and a snow-cone stand for the celebration. Board members sang and did the Lord’s prayer in sign language. Following that was Genesis Fixico, who sang the National Anthem in the Mvskoke language and afterward recited the Pledge of Allegiance in Mvskoke.
Their center handed out 40th-anniversary t-shirts to their community members and guests.
Former and current board members attended, and the celebration included speakers who had been involved with the community before the center was ever chartered. Amy Hill, who has been involved with their community center for a long time, spoke, as did former treasurer Betty Scott, who was involved before it was an established chartered community.
Ramsey shared that Rep. Marshall held an executive position and served on the board there for several years, and that Eugenia Tiger, who has been involved in their community for many years, is still very active. Tiger is currently the chair of their senior group. That group visits their homebound elders who can no longer attend.
“They’ll (Senior Group) go out and visit with them and sing Mvskoke Creek Hymns with them. So we had those that attended, and they’re all the ones that spoke who are still very active in our community here,” Ramsey said.
She said their center is very active with their seniors and youth, and they try to provide them with information about different tribal programs.
“We’re very cultural oriented and preserving that, we provide resources to any of the community members that we can assist with,” Ramsey said.
Ramsey has lived in this area for 40 years and has been involved with the community center for many years. Ramsey was honored to be there and be part of this anniversary.
She said she used to work with Former MCN Chief Claude Cox, and now it was a privilege for her to listen to all the speakers who spoke of how it all began, their stories, and how far they’ve come.
Within their center, they host several activities, such as an annual Fall Festival in October, which includes cakewalks, pumpkin carving, and a chili cook-off. She said it is one of their biggest activities. They don’t have a set date for this year’s Fall Festival.
They host activities for their Seniors and acknowledge Veterans Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas, and Thanksgiving.
The center has collaborated with the MCN, and they were able to do beading, artwork, basket weaving, and corn husk dolls.
Ramsey enjoys working for the center, especially seeing their elders. She notices how much they have offered and provided for their community; that is one thing that she really enjoys. Ramsey said she appreciated the speakers, board members, and everyone who attended the celebration that day.
“For instance, Amy Hill, she’s in her 90s, and she’s been doing this all these years, and she still is very active. Just to see everyone that’s been here that long to come out and still be a part and want to work. They work with our youth and be a mentor to them,” Ramsey said.
“I look forward to being here to be a part of the community and provide whatever help I can to them.”
