TVLSE, Okla. – Muscogee (Creek) Nation oversaw the swearing in of MCN Principal Chief David Hill and MCN Second Chief Beaver to serve another four years in office. Both were sworn in at an inauguration ceremony at the RiverSpirit Casino and Resort on Saturday, Jan 6. The event was attended by many tribal dignitaries from the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes, as well as other tribes. Leaders from the Oklahoma State Government were present, including State Attorney General Gentner Drummond. The ceremony also saw local municipal leaders from cities around the Mvskoke Reservation and municipal leaders from Macon, Georgia.
Before the chiefs were officially sworn in, the event honored two Mvskoke citizens and a Seminole Nation citizen for their personal accomplishments and contributions to Mvskoke Nation. Lauren King was first honored for being the first Mvskoke citizen elected to serve as a U.S. Federal Judge for the Western District of Washington. Rear Admiral Calvin M. Foster was honored for becoming the first Mvskoke citizen to achieve the rank of admiral in the navy. Sterlin Harjo was honored for his role as an executive producer on the first all-Indigenous produced television series, “Reservation Dogs”. Harjo is a citizen of the Seminole nation and claims Mvskoke heritage.
Former MCN Chiefs, current and former national council representatives, as well as former and current cabinet members were recognized in the audience for their contributions to the tribe.
Principal Chief Hill and Second Chief Beaver were sworn into office in the Mvskoke language by Supreme Court Vice Chief Justice Mekko George Thompson.
In Second Chief Beaver’s speech he touched on the accomplishments of the administration’s past four years in office, as well as the challenges it has faced as well. Second Chief Beaver noted that his favorite part of the job is meeting new people from around the tribe and around the country. To him, the inauguration was special because of the support by everyone who attended.
“Today is about celebrating, it’s a great day today,” Second Chief Beaver said. “Everyone, not just the Muscogee (Creek) Nation but all nations back each other, we support one another. There’s a greater good out there that we believe in and that’s everyone in Oklahoma.”
In Principal Chief Hill’s speech he detailed how the nation endured through paradigm-changing events including the Covid-19 Pandemic, and the historic McGirt Supreme Court Decision. In spite of these great trials and tribulations, Principal Chief Hill remarked that he still found great support and encouragement from the tribe. According to him, the tribe is much more than just it’s chief.
“I pledge to do my very best to uphold the trust you have placed in me,” Principal Chief Hill said. “The title of principal chief is not for one person. But no one can do this job alone, it takes an incredible team and staff to make things happen for citizens everyday. And it takes citizens to support the vision for this great nation’s growth, prosperity and progress.”
The ceremony concluded with a Mvskoke Hymn led by MCN Lighthorse Chief of Police Richard Phillips.
