Dear Beloved Citizens of the Muscogee Creek Nation, Community Members of the Creek Nation Reservation, and Indigenous Brothers and Sisters from Across the Nation:

I pen this letter with a heavy heart, fueled by a profound sense of duty and a call for justice that echoes through history and reverberates into our present day. It is a call that speaks to the heart of our shared values and principles as indigenous people who have endured trials, tribulations, and injustice.

In 1867 and 1869, during a time when the Creek Nation was grappling with the scars of a wartorn nation, a momentous event transpired that has cast a long shadow of discrimination against our fellow indigenous people of African descent. J.W. Dunn, the U.S. Indian Agent for the Creek Indians, attested to a deeply troubling reality - that our brothers and sisters, the Freedmen of the Creek tribe, were denied their rightful share of the funds allocated for the Creek people simply because they were of African descent.

In the face of such blatant discrimination, the Freedmen of the Creek tribe were deprived of their rightful inheritance, an injustice that left an indelible mark on their history. These events are not isolated incidents, but part of a larger pattern of discrimination against indigenous Black people that has persisted for far too long.

Today, as we stand in a new era, it is disheartening to witness that the specter of discrimination has not been entirely dispelled. The Creek Nation still holds Proof of Death and Heirship forms of Freedmen that bear a numerical representation of their degree of Indian blood, just as it does for those considered “by-blood” members. Yet, despite this clear evidence, there are voices within our community, including Chief David Hill, who deny the existence and rightful place of Freedmen within the tribe.

This denial perpetuates a painful cycle of oppression against Indigenous Black People in Oklahoma. It is a continuation of a legacy where one’s worth is measured not by the content of their character but by the color of their skin. The removal of Freedmen from Creek Nation citizen rolls in 1979, with the lamentable rationale that the tribe was becoming too “dark” and “mixed-blooded,” is a stark reminder of how prejudice can seep into even the most sacred spaces.

Claude Cox, the namesake of a sports complex in Okmulgee, is emblematic of the historical wrongs that we, as a community, must confront. We cannot ignore the contradiction of celebrating a man who played a role in purging the Freedmen from our community.

In these challenging times, we must ask ourselves if we will turn a blind eye or take a stand. Will we allow history to repeat itself, or will we be the catalysts for change and justice? The answer lies in our actions.

To our allies and community members who champion democracy, justice, and liberty for all, we implore you to rally behind the Creek Freedmen. Stand with us in solidarity as we demand recognition, equality, and justice for those who have been wronged for too long.

Let us remember that the strength of our community is measured by how we uplift those who have been marginalized and oppressed. It is measured by our commitment to truth, reconciliation, and unity. It is measured by our unwavering dedication to the principles of justice and equality that should be the cornerstone of any just society.

Together, we can rewrite the narrative of the Creek Nation and ensure that no one is left behind. Together, we can create a future where discrimination has no place, and justice knows no bounds.

In unity and hope, Kiara Jones, By-Blood Freedmen, Descendant of Winnie Tuckera 100% Creek Woman and Morris Tucker - Loyal Creek #68, A married couple that traveled to Indian Territory on the Trail of Tears