The Voices of Courage

Freedmen's Petition to BIA to Become Its Own Tribe

2012-02-09T15:19:51Z

Mods: new topic please. (As requested)

2/9/12 Tulsa World:

Freedmen descendants petition U.S. for their own Oklahoma tribe

The descendants of former slaves of Muscogee (Creek) Nation members have petitioned the U.S. government to be recognized as their own tribe - a move that could set a legal precedent for thousands of Indian freedmen descendants around the country.

The petition meets the requirements set by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs and should be accepted, the freedmen group's leader said.

If accepted, the petition could make the Creek freedmen descendants the first such group to become their own separate tribe.

The group's leaders are now waiting for BIA officials to confirm that they have accepted the petition and have begun reviewing it.

Ron Graham, the 47-year-old president of the Muscogee Creek Indian Freedman Band, was raised as a Creek Indian until he was 15.

But he and other Creek freedmen descendants were kicked out of the Creek Nation in 1979 by a vote of the nation's members.

Graham's father, Theodore "Blue" Graham, practiced the traditions of his Indian heritage, including his participation in stomp dances, in his hometown of Okmulgee, which is also the headquarters of the Creek Nation, Graham said.

"That's why this is so dear to me," he said. "I was born and raised in the Creek Nation right there in Okmulgee. ... We just want to be federally recognized, because that's who we are."

Edwin Marshall, Creek Nation chief of staff, said the tribe has no comment because the freedmen descendants now have no affiliation with the Creek Nation.

Marshall said the tribe properly conducted a referendum to remove the freedmen descendants from the Creek Nation rolls and that the descendants are starting a new entity.

Freedmen were the former slaves of Indians and were guaranteed full rights and privileges to the tribes to which they had belonged in the U.S. Treaty of 1866.

"We're Creek Indians. We are also of African descent. It's hard for people to believe, but ... we're both, though, That's how it is," Graham said.

The descendants have since become a central part of tribal sovereignty issues, as several tribes, including the Cherokee Nation, have also voted to expel freedmen descendants from their ranks.

Tribal leaders often attribute a resentment of the treaty to the U.S. government's repeated violation of it while forcing tribes to adhere to it.

The votes to expel freedmen descendants are the result of tribes' seeking to allow enrollment only of Indians with traceable bloodlines to the tribe.

However, Graham and other Creek freedmen descendants can show bloodlines tracing back to nonfreedmen Indians, unlike other groups of freedmen.

Additionally, the criteria for becoming a federally recognized tribe doesn't require proof of Indian blood, Graham said. The standards just require proof that the tribe's members have ancestors on the original Indian rolls, which the Creek freedmen do.

#2 Version - Tall Tales About KTT Casino

2012-02-08T16:33:57Z

Any new comments can be posted here.

Heard Around the Nation - Look Forward to Finding Out The Truth.

2012-02-04T05:03:05Z

1.   That the Muscogee (Creek) Nation is planning to give $3.2 million to Kialegee, toward its casino.

2.   That George and LuAnn Bear are working on a housing deal between themselves, to enable George to
       move to Sapulpa.

3.   That George is planning to use a River Spirit parking lot (SE corner of 81st & Riverside) as a heliport, I guess
       for a helicopter he must be buying. You know MCN has so much money to throw around.

IT'S UP TO ALL OF US TO TRY TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH OF THESE STORIES. WE AREN'T MAKING THEM UP. WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY PRETTY RELIABLE CITIZENS.

Political Parties, Any one?

2012-02-01T05:37:08Z

VOC, could we get a new topic? (Requested by Curious One Too)

Is it time for our tribe to start using party labels like the white folks?
We can use "Liberal", "Conservative", "Ultra Liberal", "Ultra Conservative", or some such.

Don't bring up Red or White Stick. That is too good for our present day politicians.

This way, a politician could be more easily identified. There are ways to do this. Think about it.

State of the Nation - by George. We Now Know What They're Up To!

2012-01-29T22:36:27Z

New topic maybe? (VOC is opening a new topic as suggested.)

It is apparent we have not need of a Judicial Branch of government at MCN.

The Business, Finance & Judicial Committee of the National Council will fullfill those duties.

The only capacity the Legislature has now is to vote how Mekko Tiger tells them to vote, mainly to handle the unpopular topics that Mekko Tiger wants to stay neutral on (I didn't do it, the Legislature did it.)

The gaming communities are surely happy this morning because now they will get their 50% split of gaming revenue at their casinos with the promise of 100%.

Mekko Tiger is very TRANSPARENT (as he says) on the issue of Red Clay Casino in Broken Arrow. He agrees with it being built only to serve a very small group of Creeks. Mekko likes to make small groups of people happy.

What about Hannah Community? Do they continue to break their backs gardening? Or do they get their own casino like the Kialegee Tribe or the Yucchi (Duck Creek) Tribe? Mekko Tiger should remember that there are 44 Tribal Towns and we all want our own casino.

He has called a meeting with community leaders and every community leader should attend and DEMAND the same treatment Mekko Tiger affords the gaming communities and Kialegee Tribe.

Should Something Be Done about "Double-Dippers"?

2012-01-23T16:06:48Z

As requested, a new topic.

Folks, please stay within the TOPIC & subject. Veering off too far.

Identify Tribal Town Citizens So We Know Who's Who

2012-01-18T16:05:12Z

Especially those who are in decision-making positions in our Muscogee (Creek) Nation. We would like to know where their loyalties lie.

Many say they should renounce their tribal towns and join the MCN or renounce MCN and go away. Having dual citizenship creates problems for us all.

We comment on double-dipping because of the status given them, yet they claim they are considered 2nd Class citizens.

(VOC: Folks, please stay within the TOPIC & subject. Veering off too far.)

News - Tall Tales About Casino

2012-01-16T16:43:00Z

We have heard that Chief Tiger will make his statement about Kialegee

Tulsa CHANNEL 6, 12:00 NOON NEWS TODAY.

Much anticipated. Will it really be news, or just George's slick willie act?

########################################

2-8-2012
VOC: COMMENTS FOR THIS TOPIC HAVE BEEN CLOSED. Comments can still be read, but any new comments will be posted under new topic: #2 Version - Tall Tales About KTT Casino

Past Events Become Our Present - George Was There!

2012-01-11T03:01:25Z

(Following 2 guys did this while employed by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation at Trade & Commerce.)

Warrington and Wisner charged in Federal Court (Okemah News Leader 1-10-2012 edition)

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that MICHAEL P. WISNER, II age 39, of New Orleans, LA, formerly of Bixby, Oklahoma, and EDMOND C. WARRINGTON, age 62, of Okemah, Oklahoma, were charged in federal court today.

The Information charged both defendants with Conspiracy, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371 while WISNER was also charged with Perjury, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1623.

Charges arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The Information alleges that from on or about June, 2008, to on or about December, 2009, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma and elsewhere, the defendants, knowingly and willfully conspired with other persons known and unknown to the United States Attorney, transmitted or caused to be transmitted by means of a wire communication or the United States Mail, communication for the purpose to defraud the United States, the State of Oklahoma and the National Association of Attorneys General of over $2.5 million in taxes and fees on the receipt, possession, sale and distribution of cigarettes under the Master Settlement Agreement, (MSA), all in order to obtain money by means of false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises.

The defendants face a range of punishment of not more than 5 years imprisonment and up to $250,000 in fines on all counts.

Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Roberts represented the United States.

What Did We Learn Today - Inaugauration Day? Any New Stuff That Will Guide Us or Same Old Same-o?

2012-01-08T02:54:34Z

Personally, VOC members chose not to go to the events, especially did not want to hear any speeches.

What we did hear was there were more Non-Creeks' speaking and honored than any of our Creeks.
That probably sets the tone for whom the newly elected have affinity for.

We'd like to get your take on the happenings and what we can expect. Did anyone hear anything new?

MCN Services Need Huge Improvements - All of Them

2012-01-05T15:33:51Z

NEW TOPIC AS REQUESTED
To VOC Request for new topic. Please start a new topic for discussion of services that need to be fixed.

Examples:
Why does it take months and months to get a pair of glasses made?
Why does it take so many YEARS to get service from the MCN Housing Division?
Why do we the citizens sign up for services and wait and wait and wait???
Why do we call departments/employees, leave messages, and many calls are never returned?
Every citizen should respond with their own stories of how long they have been waiting for service.

(VOC: When GT ran for Chief four years ago, he had a run-in with Social Services, and he uttered some threats to the employees and for the department, that he would fire those employees and turn the dept inside out (documented). Keep your eyes and ears open.)

GT's New Commissioned Appointments

2012-01-05T05:12:51Z

Commissioned

NELSON JOHNSON             ACTING GAMING COMMISSIONER
RICHARD FIXICO               ACTING LIGHTHORSE CHIEF
GREGORY H. BIGLER        SPECIAL JUDGE OF THE DISTRICT TRIAL COURT for 60 DAYS
ROGER WILEY                    ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL
JERRY McPEAK                   ACTING TAX COMMISSIONER
JAMES PRATT                     CONTROLLER
J. D. COLBERT                    DIRECTOR OF HOUSING

Following are some rumors
Judy Haumpy
Matt Tiger
Tom Pickering
Eleanor VanBuskirk

Shortage of NC Speaker Candidates -- Who?

2012-01-04T05:15:12Z

New topic as requested by "Sick of it"

New topic. The council is in bad need for a good speaker, but tnere isn't much to choose from. From the word on the vine, Alexander, Ridge, Jones and Yahola are the choices. Humm. My Grandmother would say, that's too bad ain't it. I would have to agree with her. Don't need 3 monkeys in the same barrel. Any of the 4 could be trouble. Something to think about.

# # # # #
What is your opinion on which of our esteemed council members would make a good speaker? Any of the above or someone else? We do know this is in their domain, with no input from any one else.

#2 -- GT/RB Will Allow Kialegee Casino Within our MCN Boundaries

2011-12-31T01:58:07Z

So many comments, VOC is opening up another topic space. Any new comments should be posted here as the other topic will be closed to new comments. You can still read the old comments though.
* * * * * * * * * *
Read them and know we are not lying, not even stretching the truth. It all there in black & white!

On another website, you can read documents on some of the past actions of the tribe, NC and GT/RB:
creektruth.org

Look under "more documents to look over........" and you'll find several documentation regarding the Kialegee Casino.

Georgettes aka Tigerettes & other Happenings

2011-12-29T05:37:06Z

The payoffs have begun. Some very good employees are already getting their pink slips. The ugly truth is they are CREEKS. You know those who the politicians promise to protect and make sure they have jobs, since that is what our Creek Nation is all about. TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN. But God forbid, if one supported the other candidate, that's immediate grounds for termination.

They have been elected, but they're not official yet, but think they are.

GT & RB Will Allow Kialegee Casino Within our Creek Nation Boundaries

2011-12-20T16:26:34Z

NEW TOPIC, AS REQUESTED. MODS: New topic please.

Link:
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20111220_350_A1_BROKEN727421

It didn't take long did it? With A.D. on the way out, and George and Roger and a friendly NC on the way in, KTT is full speed ahead on opening their new casino in Broken Arrow, within the territorial confines of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

I ask you. Would Oklahoma permit another state's lottery tickets to be sold in Oklahoma? Same principle here.

Stay tuned. And I wonder what George got in exchange for his support? The Bible says Judas got a bag of silver.

GT won. Why do Supporters Keep Campaigning, w/Lies??

2011-12-12T05:19:57Z

Following as reported by a reader as seen on another website & comments. It appears the one who someone named "mouth of the south" is still at it.

Sources say a "Going Away Party" was held today for outgoing

Principal Chief A.D. Ellis. Reports claim the party was "mandatory for employees."

Employee: Nope that was false. You could go if you wanted to

Johnna Townsend Not true Mr...certain depts had to call aND MADE their employees go!!!

Employee Hmmm.....small depts, I didn't see many there.

Johnna Townsend Many didn't want to go but were told they had to be there....i don't think it matters how BIG the dept is...i think our employees have no rights when some that have been there for years are being terminated just before Christmas and employees being told Ads party is mandatory!!

Johnna Townsend But fyi no it wasn't a small dept. ...could you tell me which ones you consider small and big...and why that would make a difference? ?? Thanks!

Johnna Townsend Well...im not trying to be catty...it just baffles me as to why people are being terminated without justifiable causes two weeks before christmas...yet made to leave their jobs to go to his farewell party! And i use to be an AD supporter til i saw his true colors firsthand...and im not even an employee! Just a concernrd citizen....treat people the way you wanna be treated u know?? ALL employees are equal....

Employee Well I must say I have never been a big supporter but he has been our Chief for 8 years like it or not. Our dept was not forced to go. I'm not aware of what all goes on in other departments nor do I know of fireings that occur. We were given the opportunity to go, so out of respect for the man 3 people from our dept went. It started at 2 but it was close to 3 before we went. When we arrived not many people were there. We did not see full departments in attendance nor were all departments represented.

Johnna Townsend Then I guess I would say he got given the same amount of respect from employees as he gave out!!

From what VOC has checked, the event was not a bit mandatory. It was a surprise event by some employees, and the Chief was called to come to the event after it was all set up. So Chief Ellis had nothing to do with any of it. So whomever started the lie, it appears we know who is perpetuating it. She isn't even an employee (yet), since GT will probably reward her with a top job.

#A-59. Citizens can propose laws, enact or reject.

2011-11-07T22:44:00Z

A CONSTITUTIONAL LAW - KEEP THIS IN MIND - #A59.
NOT SOMETHING TO BE OVERLOOKED IF WE RUN ACROSS ANY ACTS OR ACTIVITY THAT IS ANTI-LAW, OR JUST A BLATANT WRONG-DOING. HECK, WE MIGHT EVEN BE ABLE TO OVERRIDE THE ELECTION IF WE SET OUR MINDS TO IT!

Election Aftermath - What Can We Expect or Want?

2011-11-06T15:07:03Z

Let's hear your thoughts. We can continue being watchdogs, helping to spread information about our elected officials.

11-5-2011 - VOTING DAY IS HERE

2011-11-05T04:35:38Z

THE DAY IS UPON US.

AFTER ALL THE WEEKS & MONTHS OF DEBATING AMONGST OURSELVES ABOUT BELIEFS, IDEAS AND QUALIFICATIONS & FAULTS, WE CAN NOW EXERCISE OUR PRECIOUS RIGHT OF VOTING.

WE WON'T SAY THAT IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO YOU VOTE FOR, JUST VOTE.
IT REALLY DOES MATTER FOR WHOM WE VOTE - THE BEST CANDIDATE. WE BELIEVE IN VOTING FOR, NOT AGAINST.

WE PROBABLY WON'T LIKE WHO YOU ALL VOTE FOR, BUT THAT GOES BOTH WAYS.
WE TRULY HOPE OUR "BEST MEN" WIN.

THE VOICES OF COURAGE WILL NOT STOP MONITORING THE ACTIONS OF ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL. WE WILL CONTINUE WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING FOR OVER 5 YEARS. Remember, we were the 1st to do a web site, and we did do what no one had thought of doing. We're proud. Bragging, but now there are copycats.

REMINDER: Some seem to be disappointed in our intent and comments. From the beginning, it has been to inform the citizens of how the council has performed and the problems they have created by not adhering to our tribal laws and Constitution, especially the Constitution. If you are unaware, know that most of the problems which are plaguing our nation are directly related to Council's actions, and that is the reason VOC opened this website.
We don't belong to the chief, council or the A. G., and some of us are employees, but we're all Creek citizens doing what we can to help inform other citizens, and we do this with our own money, with NO tribal funds or any donations , doing this because we believe in our original intent.