OKMULGEE, Okla. – On May 9, the pavilion at the Claude Cox Omniplex in Okmulgee was packed with people coming to enjoy a celebration of mothers and women, and to remember those on the MMIP list. The event included speeches, poetry, and music celebrating women to start the Mother’s Day weekend.
The Mvskoke Lady Legends took the stage to perform Mvskoke hymns and share their stories, followed up with a fashion show hosted by Louisa Harjo, and a special guest performance by renowned Mvskoke poet Joy Harjo, who read one of her poems.
The event was attended by various organizations, including the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s Center for Victims Services, the MMIW Earring Project, Sons of Mvskoke, and the pop-up restaurant RezServed.
Organizer and event emcee Julian Watson was very pleased with the support the event received. “It’s like… Wow, I’m trying to find the words to describe it. … A momentum was created with our work in some kind of way.” Watson said. “Out of those efforts, some really good things are going to come.”
“The whole event was about protecting women and celebrating women’s spirit. The MMIP discussion is never going to be anything nice or wholesome, but it has to be done. It’s important – what we’re doing.”
Terra Beaver, event co-organizer, shared the teamwork involved in crafting the event. “A couple weeks ago, Julian reached out to me and expressed interest in this. He asked if we could collaborate on this Mother’s Day event to celebrate the life givers,” Beaver said. “We didn’t know what it was going to be like. We just knew that we wanted to honor mothers and celebrate the Lady Legends. … I help them whenever they call me. They serve our community so much and I love working with them.”
Watson also helped perform a cover of the song “My Sweet Lord” by George Harrison, translated into Mvskoke.
According to Watson, this will be an annual event, with other similar events being held around the area.
According to Beaver, MMIP organizations in other regions want to repeat what she and Watson did on May 9. It’s one of the things that has made the two so proud of the work they’ve done.
The two were overwhelmed with the positive attention their work has received, but are very happy at the idea of setting up events like this with other tribes in other areas. “We’re all trying to get our language and culture back, no matter what tribe we are.” Watson said.
Beaver shared, “It was really empowering and encouraging. Having speakers there, having a strong sense of community there, supporting one another… For me, it was very encouraging, uplifting, and refreshing.”
