MVSKOKE RESERVATION – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Community Centers have scheduled a series of forums for official candidates in the upcoming election.
According to MCN Community and Research Development Manager J.R. Wind, the communities came forward with the ideas to host the forums.
There are 11 community centers hosting forums out of the total 24 centers. However, Wind claims only seven held a forum event during the last election.
Wind has had little to do with handling the forums, other than assisting with scheduling to avoid conflicting dates.
Sites participating included Tulsa, Okmulgee, Muskogee, Checotah, South Coweta, Cromwell, Eufaula, Wetumka, and Holdenville.
According to Wind, he is seeing great a turnout and participation from the candidates and community members.
“We had a turnout of about 60 people at the first forum at Dewar Community,” Wind said.
Wind explained these forums are structured a bit differently from the last series held. The communities have decided to host a two-part forum that includes the MCN National Council Representative candidates, and a second part that includes the principal chief and second chief candidates.
Wind claims that even candidates that are running unopposed have taken an effort to show themselves at the forums and were prepared to answer questions.
Wind said it is nice to see each community get more involved.
“We want them to be more involved with what’s going on with the tribe and understanding what the administration actually does,” he said.
Out of the 11 forums scheduled, there are only a few left before the primary election on Sept.15.
For more information, call the MCN Community Research and Development department at 918-732-7963.
List of remaining candidate forums:
August 24, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Okmulgee Indian Community Center
2900 N. Osage Pl.
Okmulgee
August 26th, 5:00pm-8:00pm
Muscogee Indian Community Center
335 North 4th St
Muskogee
August 28th, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Checotah Indian Community Center
500 Owens Ave.
Checotah
August 29th, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Koweta Indian Community Center
30925 E. 141st St.
South Coweta
September 1st, 6:30pm
Cromwell/Okemah Indian Community Center
Okfuskee County Barn
Hwy 62
Okemah
September 2nd, 12:00pm
Eufaula Indian Community Center
800 Birkes Road
Eufaula
September 5th, 5:00pm-8:00pm
Wetumka Indian Community Center
608 N. Creek St.
Wetumka
September 7th, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Holdenville Indian Community Center
224 East Poplar St.
Holdenville
September 11th, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sapulpa Indian Community Center
1020 N. Brown St.
Sapulpa
