TULSA – A small crowd gathered on a hot evening to hear stories from Mvskoke history in the backyard lot of the Brut Hotel, located across Boulder Avenue from Dream Keepers Park in Tulsa on Aug. 19.
Despite the high temperatures, Raelynn Butler, the Secretary of Culture and Humanities for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, gave an engaging talk on the history of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the history of the Council Oak Tree, which was located not far from the hotel. This talk was given as part of what is hoped to be a series of discussions meant to educate both Natives and non-Natives on the history and culture of the Mvskoke people.
The talk was sponsored by the Council Oak Tree Foundation, which sold merchandise to commemorate the Council Oak Tree.
Butler gave a heartfelt retelling of the Locv Pokv band of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and how the land they settled on, near the Council Oak Tree, would become what is now the city of Tulsa.
She would then guide the crowd over to the tree itself and taught spectators more of its significance.
The crowd, which consisted of more than 50 people, and included both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people from Tulsa, reacted positively to the talk.
Organizers hope that this is just the first of many events like it, with groups such as the Council Oak Tree Foundation and the Tulsa Creek Indian Community viewing it as a huge success.
Butler also hopes that the park in which the Council Oak tree is housed will be transferred fully over to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation as part of an agreement with the City of Tulsa by the next Council Oak Tree ceremony, to be held on Nov. 5 of this year.
As she spoke, Butler made sure to stress the cultural importance of the tree and the hope that it lives on.
“We are hoping to do more with the park. We’re collecting acorns so that the daughters and sons of the Council Oak Tree can be preserved, so that one day, if something does happen to the Council Oak tree, that we have others around and its history can continue to live on.” Butler said.
For those who wish to know more about the work done by the Council Oak Tree Foundation, visit their website at https://www.creekcounciloaktulsa.org.
