“Muscogee Homecoming” events celebrate region’s original citizens

Muscogee (Creek) Chief David Hill sends official delegation to Columbus

Nearly two hundred years after forced removal from these lands, Columbus will welcome the Muscogee (Creek) people back to their ancestral homelands for a series of community events.

Throughout April, the Springer Opera House, in partnership with Mayor’s Office, VisitColumbusGA and the Russell County Historical Commission, will host two Muscogee-themed plays, an Official City Hall Welcome Ceremony, a community forum with tribal leaders, a post-show meet-and-greet and a tour of Fort Mitchell Historic Site.

An official delegation from the Muscogee Nation in Oklahoma will travel to Columbus for the kickoff of events beginning April 3. Led by Muscogee Nation Secretary of Culture and Humanities RaeLynn Butler, the delegation will interact with the public, educators, government officials and cultural leaders. Muscogee Homecoming event schedule

April 3 10:00 am - Official Welcome Ceremony. City Hall Courtyard, Broadway entrance. Mayor Henderson and other officials will welcome Muscogee Nation delegation, read a City Council-approved Land Acknowledgement and present a gift from Columbus to the Muscogee Nation; a custom quilt by local textile artist Cathy Fussell. Muscogee leaders will address the public.

1:30 pm - Fort Mitchell Tour - The Muscogee Nation delegation will tour Fort Mitchell Historic Site and engage in a meet-and-greet with the public. After the 1830 Indian Removal Act was signed by President Andrew Jackson, some 15,000 Muscogee were rallied at Fort Mitchell and removed at bayonet-point 800 miles to the Oklahoma territory. Approximately one-third did not survive the journey. Public invited. Donations to Fort Mitchell Historic Site encouraged. For more information, visit visitfortmitchell.org.

4:00 pm - Community Forum. Springer’s McClure Theatre. Muscogee Secretary of Culture andHumanities RaeLynn Butler, Deputy Secretary of Culture and Humanities Anthony Beaver and Director of Advocacy for the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park Initiative, Tracie Revis will address the public and answer questions about the past, present and future of the Muscogee Nation. Public Invited.

7:30 pm - The Mvskoke Project - Opening Night of a new play commissioned by the Springer Opera House, written, created and directed by Muscogee Nation theatre artists and writers. The action of the play centers around three generations of a modern-day Muscogee family which has gathered at the home of their matriarch, Lahoma, as she is preparing to pass over to the other world. Visions, dreams, humor, customs, music, legacy. Following the performance, there will be a “talk-back” with the all-Native cast and a meet-and-greet reception with the Muscogee Nation delegation. The Mvskoke Project will run from April 3-13 in the Springer’s McClure Theatre. For tickets and information, go to springeroperarhouse.org or call 706-327-3688.

April 4 - 13 - The Mvskoke Project - Subsequent performances of the show. See full schedule at springeroperahouse.org

April 17, 18, 19 – 7:30 pm On the Far End, a new play written and performed by celebrated Native actor, playwright and sovereignty attorney Mary Kathryn Nagle. In the play, Nagle portrays beloved Muscogee leader, Ella Jean Hill, a groundbreaking advocate for tribal sovereignty. In turn, the Ella Jean Hill character tells the story of her grandfather and his journey from Fort Mitchell to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears. Ms. Nagle is a widely-known attorney who has filed briefs at the U.S. Supreme Court including the historic McGirt v. Oklahoma case in which the sovereignty of the Muscogee Nation was affirmed. The title of the play comes from Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch. Writing for the majority, Gorsuch began, “On the far end of the Trail of Tears was a promise.” Post-show talk- back with Ms. Nagle. For tickets, visit springeroperahouse.org or call 706-327-3688.