Indianz.Com > News > George Thompson: The plight of our sacred Hickory Ground
Protecting Sacred Sites
The Plight of Hickory Ground Tribal Town
Monday, August 7, 2023
Mekko of Hickory Ground
Like most Americans, I know where my people, and my family, are buried. And like most Americans, my religion and moral decency requires that I protect and preserve their final resting place.
My family is from Hickory Ground. Hickory Ground is where we lived, died and carried out our Mvskoke religion for thousands of years. It was the capital of our Muscogee (Creek) Nation. And it is where we buried our most important political and cultural leaders. And my family.
But then the Trail of Tears separated us from our home. We didn’t want to leave. We were forced to go. We had no choice. That’s when the trauma began; and it continues today.
Recently, a group of people (claiming to be Native) came to Hickory Ground and dug up my family, placed them in trash bags and plastic bins, and stored them at a university to be studied. The federal agencies responsible for Hickory Ground’s protection sat back and did nothing. They allowed the desecration to happen.
After exhausting all other options, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation has filed a lawsuit that seeks accountability for all parties who caused or allowed this tragedy to happen.
George Thompson is the Mekko of Hickory Ground, a lifetime position that he has held for over 47 years, and he currently serves as a Justice in the Muscogee (Creek) Supreme Court. He is a fluent speaker of the Muscogee (Creek) language and has been designated as a Living Legend within the Nation.
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