“We gather here at the Council Oak to remember the strength, resilience, of our ancestors, to honor the history rooted in this place and reflect on the traditions that continue to guide the Muscogee people. May today bring us together in gratitude and renew our commitment to carrying their teachings forward.” – Representative Galen Cloud
TULSA – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation celebrated the annual Council Oak Tree Ceremony’s 40th anniversary on Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Council Oak Tree Park. Since 1986, leaders from the Nation’s government and Ceremonial Grounds have gathered to commemorate the site’s significance as the endpoint of the Trail of Tears, where the Locv Pokv Tribal Town buried the embers of their sacred fire in 1836.
The 40th annual event follows last year’s ceremony, where the park was conveyed by the City of Tulsa to the Nation. According to Principal Chief David Hill, the ceremony is not just about celebrating the historic site- it’s also about honoring the ancestors who endured hardship to ensure the survival of the Mvskokvlke. Chief Hill’s proclamation stated that the Nation will continue its effort to preserve the Council Oak Tree.
“Its roots connect us to those who came before us. Its continued presence reminds us of our shared responsibility,” Chief Hill said.
“The Council Oak Tree is more than a historic landmark. It is a symbol of our survival, our sovereignty, our resilience, and the living spirit of our Nation.”
During remarks, National Council Speaker Randall Hicks shared that the park is a site where important decisions were made by leaders of the time for future generations. He remarked that this moment in the tree’s history would not be possible without the ancestors’ endurance.
“For four decades we have come together at this special place to remember our history, and celebrate this tree and the perseverance of the Muscogee people,” Speaker Hicks said. “It represents a story, it represents a people, it represents a government in the Nation that continues to stand.”
Leadership from the MCN and the Ceremonial Ground leaders were joined at the ceremony by City of Tulsa officials, including Mayor Monroe Nichols and Director of Tribal Policy and Partnership Amanda Swope. Mayor Nichols shared that the city’s partnership with the Nation is not superficial- rather, it is a living relationship that honors sovereignty.
“Council Oak is a living connection to people, traditions, and history that helps shape the community we call Tulsa today,” Nichols said. “As mayor, I want to make sure Tulsa is not a place where Tribal nations are just recognized, but they are respected as sovereign partners in shaping our city’s future.”
Secretary of Culture and Humanities RaeLynn Butler shared that the Nation is developing a management plan to revitalize the Council Oak Park for future Council Oak Tree Day ceremonies and general public visits. She shared the goal is to make the site’s history more visible with permanent signs, and to renovate the existing structures.
“We want to continue to honor these Tribal towns. This is one site of those 44 fires. All of us, every Muscogee citizen, come from one of these towns. It’s important to remember and honor those towns,” Butler said.
The 40th anniversary is not the only milestone the park is celebrating this year. On Tuesday, Sept. 29th, the site celebrated 50 years on the National Registry of Historic Places. A public ceremony was held by the Tvlse Council Oak Foundation and the Nation at the Brut Hotel.
