OCMULGEE – The 34th annual Ocmulgee Indigenous Celebration took place Sept. 12-13 at the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park in Macon, Ga. The event hosted a number of Indigenous artists, a hands-on collaborative mobile mural project, traditional cultural dance demonstrations, MCN department booths, Mvskoke storytelling, food, activities, and more. This event was free to the public.
The Ocmulgee Mounds Association conveyed its appreciation to all involved in the festival. “We are grateful to all of the artists, cultural educators, dancers, musicians, demonstrators, and guests who traveled to Ocmulgee to share with our community. We are especially grateful to the Muscogee Nation for your guidance, friendship, and continued partnership. It is a privilege to work with so many wonderful people to bring this Celebration to Ocmulgee each year,” Ocmulgee Mounds Association said.
The festival began with a presentation of the flags by the Mvskoke Nation Honor Guard. MCN Principal Chief David Hill gave opening remarks, and MCN Secretary of Culture and Humanities RaeLynn Butler (Mvskoke) shared the history of the mounds. Mvskoke Royalty and other Tribal leaders also spoke.
Scenes from the 34th Annual Ocmulgee Indigenous Festival in Macon, Ga. (All Images: Shayln Proctor)
Music, dance, and sport demonstrations were given by the Mystic Wind Chahta Social Dancers from the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Choctaw Youth Stickball, Jarrett Wildcat (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians), and Mvskoke citizen William Harjo. Jake Tiger, a citizen of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, spoke about textiles. Este Cate Hoktvke Suletawv Women’s Honor Guard closed out the opening remarks.
Both days hosted make-and-take art projects from cherry blossom stamping and corn husk dolls, to customized earrings and nature walk collages.
The Mvskoke Language Department presented storytelling in the Mvskoke language with instructors Carolyn McNac and Johno Thompson in the Visitor’s Center. There was also a screening of the short film “Tiger” by Kiowa filmmaker Loren Waters. The film focuses on the life of Mvskoke artist Dana Tiger
On September 11, prior to the festival, the statue “Stickball Player” by Mvsoke artist Kenneth Johnson was installed at Bicentennial Park in Macon. Per Johnson, the statue was inspired by Netche Gray, a Muscogee World War I veteran and stickball player. “He is bronze and stands tall with his sticks raised, inviting people to the game — inviting people back to the mounds, our homeland,” said Johnson. “It’s a picture in time and space where this stickball player is purposefully inspiring. He has elements of our Muscogee culture on his body and clothing.”
