Copyright © 2006 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2006 CNO
TULSA, OKLAHOMA – The Five Civilized Tribes (Chickasaw, Muscogee Creek, Seminole, Cherokee and Choctaw) met on April 26, 2006 at the Council Oak in Tulsa to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Act of 1906.
Pictured L to R are: A. D. Ellis, Principal Chief of the Muscogee Creek Nation, Jefferson Keel, Lt. Governor of the Chickasaw Nation, Kelly Haney, Principal Chief of the Seminole Nation, Larry Harrison, Vice Chief of the Seminole Nation, and Chad Smith, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief 
Leaders of the Five Civilized Tribes (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee Creek, and Seminole) held a press conference at the historic Council Oak Park in Tulsa to commemorate the centennial of the Act of 1906. This act, signed on April 26, 1906, provided that the tribal constitutional governments of the Five Tribes should continue “in full force and effect,” thus ensuring perpetual tribal sovereignty.
“We come here today to celebrate an event of 100 years ago,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “It’s a great myth that the Five Tribes—and tribes in Oklahoma—went away when Oklahoma became a state. Congress acknowledged the constitutional governments of the Five Tribes, the same governments that came across the Trail of Tears and created great civilizations in Indian Territory.”
This theme of survival was woven into remarks made by the second speaker, Lt. Gov. Jefferson Keel of the Chickasaw Nation, who noted that all those in attendance represented the 500,000 citizens of the Five Tribes.
“Tribal governments didn’t go away in the 20th century,” Keel said. “We’re still here. We’re as strong as ever. We’re thriving.”
The same note of survival was touched upon by A. D. Ellis, Principal Chief of the Muscogee Creek Nation.
“The huge Council Oak tree is still alive and well and represents that the Muscogee Nation is alive and well in the city of Tulsa and the state of Oklahoma,” Ellis said.
A poignant reminder of just how much America’s indigenous people have survived came from Kelly Haney, Principal Chief of the Seminole Nation.
“Today, April 26, 2006, is a historic day,” Haney said. “We survived. We’ve not only survived, we are thriving. When Columbus first landed, according to historians, there were between five to 12 million native people in the Americas. But in 1900, there were fewer than 400,000 native people. Think about that. We are strong.”
Haney also highlighted multiple economic contributions to the state of Oklahoma by the tribes, including the fact that, collectively, the tribes are the largest employer in the state and that the tribes build roads and bridges; help fund local schools; and provide extensive medical care. Everything the tribes provide takes a significant financial burden off the state, thus making them strong economic contributors and partners with state and federal governments.
Smith brought the theme of native survival full circle in his remarks closing the conference.
“The future of the Five Tribes has never looked brighter,” Smith said. “We are contributors. We believe we have a great legacy, one we share with all the tribes. We are a people who face adversity, survive, adapt, prosper and excel. Prosperity and excellence lie before us.”
When considering the history of the state of Oklahoma, consider that the Act of 1906 and a second act, the Oklahoma Enabling Act, passed just a few months later, made Oklahoma a state subject to the pre-existing rights of the 39 tribes that lived here. The Oklahoma Enabling Act contained a disclaimer that said the future state of Oklahoma shall forever disclaim any right, title or interest in the rights of the tribes and the Indian people, further strengthening tribal sovereignty.
Approximately 150 citizens of the Five Tribes, most in tribal dress, attended the ceremony. The conference was organized by the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes. Official representatives of the tribes included Lt. Gov. Jefferson Keel, standing in for Gov. Bill Anoatubby of the Chickasaw Nation; Principal Chief A. D. Ellis of the Muscogee Creek Nation; Principal Chief Kelly Haney of the Seminole Nation; and Principal Chief Chad Smith of the Cherokee Nation. Chief Gregory E. Pyle of the Choctaw Nation sent his support but could not attend due to a previous commitment in Washington, D.C. working on legislation.
Opening the ceremony was a performance by the Cherokee Nation Adult Choir followed by a presentation of color guards from all Five Tribes. National Council Speaker George Tiger of the Muscogee Creek Nation acted as master of ceremonies.
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
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Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |