George Tiger: Muscogee Nation fights desecration of sacred site

I am writing to relate the important reasons why the Muscogee (Creek) Nation is seeking to preserve Hickory Ground. It is important to you because this case raises issues of cultural sovereignty rights that are important to all Tribal Nations.

In 1980, Hickory Ground was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, as the last capitol of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation prior to our forced removal to Indian Territory. Also, Hickory Ground has historic significance because the undisturbed burials and sacred funerary objects of our ancestors were located there, and the area was also a sacred ceremonial ground of our ancestors.

Over the past two decades, our Nation steadfastly opposed commercial development at Hickory Ground that would desecrate the ceremonial grounds, burials and graves of our ancestors. Despite our objections, approximately 57 sets of human remains and associated funerary objects were excavated to develop a gaming facility at Hickory Ground. We believe this excavation violated the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), as well as several other federal laws enacted to protect sacred Indian lands.