“I’m just filled with such emotion because I love my Creek Nation. We should be saying mvto every day for what the Tribe provides for us. That’s why we’re here. That’s why we’re sitting right here on the Rez.” – Pearl Thomas
TULSA – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Living Legends Ceremony honored a total of six citizens- three Living Legends and three Chief’s Choice Award honorees on Thursday, June 25, at River Spirit Casino. This year’s Living Legends are Sandy Fife Wilson, Irene Culley, and Pearl Thomas. This year’s Chief Choice Award honorees were presented to Bobby Martin, Richard Whitman, and Sterlin Harjo.
Living Legends are enrolled Mvskoke citizens who are 60 years old and who have “brought recognition to and/or made outstanding contributions to the quality of life and development of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation on a local, national, or international interest.” Candidates are nominated by their peers and voted on by a committee.
During opening remarks at the ceremony, MCN Principal Chief David Hill said that the event honors those who deserve recognition for their contributions to the Tribe.
“All the Living Legends, I appreciate you. I can’t say enough about each one of these individuals and the Chiefs’ Choice Award,” Principal Chief Hill said. “This is about honoring our elders, our fluent speakers, everyone.”
Living Legends
Sandy Fife Wilson is an educator who has spent over three decades teaching Native American students. She’s taught at Oklahoma Public Schools, the Institute of American Indian Arts, Chilocco Indian School, and Morris Public Schools. She retired in 2008. Wilson is also an artist; she co-founded the Fife Collection with her sisters. The collective comprises fashion designs featuring traditional artistic motifs of the Muscogee, Cherokee, Delaware, and Seminole peoples. Wilson works in beadwork, fingerweaving, ribbon work, textiles, shell carving, and basketry.
During her acceptance speech, Wilson detailed the places she has traveled, including the Mvskoke homelands, Horseshoe Bend, and the National Museum of the American Indian. Some of her fondest memories are teaching students, young and old alike.
“I just enjoyed it all. I enjoyed teaching at some of the camps, cultural day, and doing the make-and-takes at Council House during the Festival,” Wilson said. “I just enjoyed working with the students and older adults through all of this.”
Irene Culley is an educator and the Head Lady at Okfuskee Ceremonial Ground. She is a first-language speaker who serves as a Mvhayv at the College of the Muscogee Nation Mvskoke Master Apprentice Program. Culley sews and has taught others how to sew ribbon skirts and vests. Many citizens know Culley from coaching the Festival Junior Olympics, an event she has been involved with since 1985, coaching many students over the decades.
“It’s all about giving kids opportunity. Give them opportunity, mentor them, guide them. Let them know that they are somebody that can do things and be proud of them when they do things out of their zone,” Culley said.
Pearl Thomas worked for the Tribe for 18 years, retiring in 2004. She worked across many departments, including the CETA program (now Employment and Training), the Elderly Nutrition Program, and Children and Family Services. Thomas served a term on the Muscogee (Creek) National Council. She is an active member of Honey Creek United Methodist Church and the greater Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference (OIMC). Thomas sews traditional Mvskoke clothing and cooks traditional foods.
When describing her motivation for serving families, she said it’s simply a sense of inner joy.
“I like what I do. You must have joy to appreciate what is around you. I’ve said this many a time, you must have joy within you,” Thomas said. “You can’t imagine what joy I have right here in my heart for you all.”
Chief’s Choice Award
Bobby Martin is a multidisciplinary artist whose work has been featured at Council Oak Hospital and the Eufaula Casino Hotel. He co-curated the first exhibit for the first Tribally-owned gallery within the Tulsa area, the Mvskoke Waters Gallery. His work has placed at the Mvskoke Art Market and the Cherokee Art Market.
On having his work featured at Council Oak Hospital, Martin said he was honored to help create a space that heals people. He described the
Tribe’s involvement in the arts over the past few years as a “renaissance of support for artists.”
“I’ve been thankful, and I’ve been very blessed to be able to have opportunities to show this history, our history, in different places around the world. I’m most proud that the work I’ve done ends up in places like Council Oak, places of healing. Places that people see it,” Martin said.
Richard Whitman is an artist, photographer, and actor whose work has appeared around the world, including the Smithsonian, La Biennale di Venezia in Italy, and the Gorman Museum of American Indian Art at UC Davis. He has taught art through the Indian Youth Council and the Native American Center Youth at Risk Program.
Whitman is of Euchee descent and shared how important it is to him to see young Euchee children speaking the language.
“I’m thankful to be a part of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation,” Whitman said. “With our Euchee immersion school, we now have the first generation of our young people speaking Euchee. I see all these little nieces and nephews of mine, they’re running around and talking in the first language, laughing and playing on the playground. It’s pretty inspiring.”
Sterlin Harjo is a filmmaker whose work has covered social issues, including desecration of sacred sites and homelessness. His notable works include the film “Mekko”, “Four Sheets to the Wind,” and “Barking Water”. He has also produced for television, developing critically acclaimed shows like “Reservation Dogs” and, currently, “The Lowdown.”
Although he was not present to accept his award, Harjo submitted an acceptance video shot on the set of “The Lowdown.” His mother, Nanette Harjo, accepted his award on his behalf.
“I’m really happy to be getting this honor from the Muscogee Nation. I am obviously a proud member. Creek Nation has helped me out so much,” Harjo said.
