Muscogee Nation
The Muscogee Nation is a self-governed Native American Tribe located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. The Mvskoke people lived in what are now the states of Georgia and Alabama for many centuries before Europeans arrived in the Western Hemisphere. The Muscogee Nation is the fourth largest Tribe in the U.S. with more than 87,000 citizens. The Tribal Government is made up of an executive branch, a legislative body and a Tribal court system. The Muscogee Nation is a diverse entity with many facets such as: cultural tourism, gaming, businesses, and a higher learning institution. To learn more visit Native Knowledge 360.
As the host for the National Tribal Forum on Air Quality, we give thanks to the Muscogee Nation and their environmental program staff (James Williams and Jennifer Reyher) for their leadership and support. We are also especially grateful to Rebecca Barnett and Pearl Thomas for sharing their time, knowledge, and stories with our audience in interviews which we are sharing below.
The Nation employs more than 3,000 people through a variety of Tribal enterprises ranging from professional and security services contracting, to government positions in various fields, and gaming venues. The Nation provides vital services such as healthcare, housing, education assistance, and social services to its citizens as well as operates many other programs including culture and language preservation. Increasing economic growth within the Muscogee Nation allows the Nation to contribute to state and local governments, schools, communities, businesses, and Muscogee citizens. For more information about the Muscogee Nation, please visit: https://www.mcn-nsn.gov/
Muscogee Nation presents Wild Onions
Jeremiah Wilson shows us the traditional methods of harvesting wild onions, and Jason Walls explains the communal process of preparing and sharing wild onions.
Muscogee Nation presents The Lord's Prayer by Jadyn Randall
Jadyn Randall, Muscogee Nation Junior Miss, signs the Lord’s Prayer on the steps of the Muscogee Nation Council House
Pearl (Chalakee) Thomas
Pearl is a member of the Muscogee Nation. She is of the Bear Clan and her Tribal town is Cheyaha. She attended college later in life and received her B.S. degree from Northeastern State University. Pearl retired from Muscogee Nation after 18 years of service. She worked in many areas, including the old CETA program which is now the Employment and Training program, the Elderly Nutrition program as the Program Manager, and the Children and Family Services department as the Coordinator of the Family Preservation program. She also served on the Muscogee Nation National Council for 4 years. Pearl is an active lifelong member of the Honey Creek United Methodist Indian Church of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference. Her involvement includes local, district, conference and national activities of both the United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women.
Pearl was married to her late husband for 47 years. They have two children, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Pearl has been deeply committed to and involved in Muscogee Nation, Okmulgee Community, and the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference for most of her life and continues as an Elder.
Muscogee Nation presents An Interview with Pearl Thomas and Patricia Kilian
Pearl Thomas and her daughter Patricia discuss the history and some personal memories they have of the Muscogee Nation Council House.
Muscogee Nation presents An Interview with Pearl Thomas and Jennifer Reyher
Pearl Thomas and Jennifer Reyher discuss childhood memories, reverence, stargazing, and increased air allergens.
Rebecca Barnett
Rebecca Barnett has been an instructor for the Mvskoke Language Program for 9 years. Mrs. Barnett has committed her life to further the Mvskoke Language working with K-12 students in schools, teaching Vacation Bible Schools, and community outreach. Rebecca is also a professor at the College of the Muscogee Nation. Through her work with the Mvskoke Language Program she has helped develop cellphone applications to teach the language, as well as, online videos and written curriculum. She has worked on many translation projects that serve to protect the history and culture of the Muscogee Nation such as the, Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Rebecca is a member of the Muscogee Nation and is of the Raccoon Clan. Her Tribal Town is Tokepatce. She has been happily married to Mitchell Barnett for 32 years and has three daughters and eight grandchildren.
Muscogee Nation presents An Interview with Rebecca Barnett and Jennifer Reyher
Rebecca Barnett and Jennifer Reyher discuss the importance of teaching the Muscogee native language, creating extended family, handing down indigenous knowledge, and conserving natural gifts.