A landmark day unfolded Wednesday as tribal leaders, city officials and community members gathered just off Highway 75 for a groundbreaking ceremony that marked the start of construction on the new Muscogee Nation Welcome Center – a visionary 11,000-square-foot facility that promises to be both a cultural beacon and community gateway into the historic capital city of Okmulgee.

Beneath a large tent filled with applause, prayers, and pride, the Muscogee Nation celebrated not only the launch of a building project, but the continuation of a legacy centuries in the making.

— A Vision Realized

Principal Chief David Hill addressed the crowd with a voice filled with emotion and purpose.

“Today is a proud day for the Muscogee Nation as we gathered to break ground on a place that will welcome visitors to our capital city of Okmulgee,” Chief Hill declared. “This center will give travelers an opportunity to learn about who we are-our Mvskoke culture, our art, and the history of our capital city. Our story reaches back long before statehood, and through this center, we’ll be able to share it in a powerful way with all who visit.”

But this center is not just a rest stop. “It will be a place of learning,” Hill said, “with classrooms to nurture knowledge, creativity, and the next generation of artists and storytellers who will carry our traditions forward.”

One of the most welcome features of the Welcome Center will be its curation space-a long-awaited permanent home for the Muscogee Council House Collection. Hill recounted the emotional memory of helping rescue the treasured artifacts from auction in 2013, when he and former Chief George Tiger, alongside Pete Beaver, transported the collection overnight from Ohio to safety.

“With today’s groundbreaking,” Hill said, “we are one step closer to providing that home. Soon, citizens will be able to reconnect with the items in that collection and have access to the history they hold. This center will ensure that our heritage is not only protected, but celebrated.”

— Designed with Purpose and Heart

The Welcome Center’s design is deeply rooted in Muscogee cultural symbolism. Architect Scott Vrooman of TriArch Architecture, a Native-owned firm, shared that the building’s very form tells a story.

“There’s a corridor that runs through the center at an angle, symbolizing the permanent scar of the Trail of Tears,” Vrooman explained. “But through that scar runs an unbroken thread-representing the strength, resilience, and living culture of the Muscogee people.”

TriArch’s design includes:

• Dedicated gallery space for historical and cultural exhibits.

• Classrooms for culinary arts, painting, pottery, basket weaving, woodworking and more.

• Research areas that provide hands-on access to artifacts for young artists and cultural scholars.

• Curation and storage spaces that meet federal preservation standards, finally giving over 200 boxes of priceless items-including baskets from the Trail of Tears, cast iron cookware, Civil War-era cannonballs, and even a boat-a permanent home.

— Building with Native Strength

The project’s construction is entrusted to Maska Builders, a Native American-owned commercial construction company based in Jenks.

The firm, which has led major tribal construction efforts across Oklahoma, is known not only for its quality but for hiring Native workers and subcontractors, reinforcing tribal sovereignty and self-determination through economic empowerment.

“We’re proud to work with partners who understand our mission and share our values,” said event host and emcee Jason Salsman, who commended Maska for their integrity and commitment to honoring Native cultures throughout the building process.

— A Center Rooted in Community

Second Chief Del Beaver, who lives in nearby Morris, reflected on the significance of finally putting the tribe’s long-owned Highway 75 property to meaningful use.

“Every time I’d drive by, I’d wonder-what are we going to do with that land? Today, we finally have an answer,” he said. “This center represents proper planning, a shared vision, and the power of turning good ideas into reality. It’s for every citizen. It’s for every visitor. And it’s a sign of progress.”

Secretary of Culture and Humanities RaeLynn Butler emphasized how the center supports the Muscogee Nation’s mission to revitalize and pass on traditions: “This is critical for the survival of Muscogee culture and life ways, which are vital for future generations,” she said. “It’s more than a building – it’s a home for our heritage, and a launchpad for young artisans and storytellers to rise and shine.”

Butler shared that a 2022 survey showed 92% of citizens identified cultural arts as essential to the community, with 99% agreeing on the need for more cultural teaching spaces-something this center will directly provide.

— A Welcome for the World

Okmulgee Chamber of Commerce Director Sarah Rhodes rounded out the ceremony with words of gratitude and excitement.

“This Welcome Center will serve as a gateway to our community,” she said. “It will showcase the rich culture, heritage, and hospitality that makes Okmulgee such a great place to live. It’s also going to spark growth, partnership, and stronger connections between the Nation, our businesses and our residents.”

— Moving Forward

The Welcome Center will rise as a living monument-a place where memory meets momentum. With shovels in the earth and hearts full of pride, the Muscogee Nation took a powerful step toward honoring its past while embracing its future.

Construction is now officially underway. Mvto to all who made this day possible.