Ed 8 R, Non (7/17/2009 7:36:10 AM)

The sculpture and monument are very nice and I'm pleased to see the Creek People honored. However, I wonder if there is something left undone that $250,000.00 could do for the Creeks. When we consider that Oklahoma was built on resources taken from Indians that were forced to move here after being removed from their homeland, isn't there something else we could do?

Eric, Tulsa (7/17/2009 9:28:33 AM)

...
Much like the Bataan Death March was accounted as a Japanese war crime, the Trail of Tears, too, should be noted as a bleak example of cruelty and inhumanity.
...
The monument is a mere token of this very dark part of American history, but at least its being recognized.
...
..
.

Four Sixteen Rigby, (7/17/2009 9:43:07 AM)

Will the memorial discuss the African-American slaves who the Indians forced to come along in order to carry the stuff and work the fields in Indian Territory? Remember, when the Five Civilized Tribes were removed to the Indian Territory, they brought their slaves with them.

the original Ace, Tulsa (7/17/2009 9:43:12 AM)

I'm glad that The City is commerating the site.

I'm sorry,I don't speak stupid, (7/17/2009 10:04:00 AM)

What a great article-it's about time to finally see a much deserved monument recognizing that time in history that changed so much of the past and the future. I agree w/Eric that it should be noted as a bleak example of cruelty and inhumanity. Nice writing Deon Hampton

Bedazzled, (7/17/2009 11:36:42 AM)

What Eric said.

What the ?, Tulsa (7/17/2009 12:09:04 PM)

Good post, Ed.

Nanaiya, (7/17/2009 2:14:30 PM)

Way to go Oklahoma Centennial Commission, Tulsa and others,

We learn from past mistakes how to avoid future failures. Too many Americans have misconceptions about Native American people.

Four Sixteen Rigby,

You are right, Indian slaves should be recognized. I personally would be Most pleased however if all of the Five Civilized Tribes would honor their Constitutions by recognizing the Citizenship Rights of the Freedmen, and stop the misconceptions. The fact is, that many Freedmen are ALSO Indian by Blood-and they are no less Native American that those in Tribes today.

Blessings,
Stefanie
aka Nanaiya

What the ?, Tulsa (7/17/2009 2:27:37 PM)

You're right, Stephanie. If a Freedman has proven Indian blood, then bring them own. It's the ones that cannot prove (we all have to prove it) they have Indian blood that is in question.

What the ?, Tulsa (7/17/2009 4:29:00 PM)

ooops! meant bring them on, not own. typo

Four Sixteen Rigby, (7/17/2009 4:37:14 PM)

What the ?:

Ah, but Indian tribal membership is a POLITICAL rather than RACIAL classification. The Supreme Court told us so in Morton v. Mancari. And the Supreme Court is never wrong.

And, AND, the 1866 Treaties between the United States and the Five Civilized Tribes state no requirement for "Indian blood." Those Treaties, signed after the Confederacy and its allies the Five Civilized Tribes were defeated in the Civil War, require that the former slaves were to be made full citizens of the Tribes.

scooter2, (7/18/2009 7:31:28 AM)

People hold on to the past forever, especially if has anything to do with something that was not good. If it was anything good we never mention it or build monuments to it. This was done way years ago by people who are not even here anymore, but lets keep prejudice fires burning in America and bring it up every chance we get. Indians scalped alot of good white folks to, not all of them were bad, can we build a monumnet to support that. I say forget and forgive and get on with life. Good grief and we wonder why we still have so many problems in America. All races have had their share of pain Look at the Jews in the Holocaust. Let's put the past where it belong BEHIND us and get a life.

stormytyca, Tulsa (7/18/2009 4:38:27 PM)

scooter:
while I wish that could be the case, we live in a society where people will forget things entirely if not reminded every so often... i.e. a woman, who lives in Washington DC, was asked "Who lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave?" which she didn't know (those of you who forgot, that's the white house where the president of the U.S.A. lives), but she knew "who lives a pineapple under the sea?"

If we don't remind people of the tragedies that have happened, then those events are more likely to repeat themselves in one way or another.

Now, as for this exact statue... do we really have to spend $250,000 on a statue? Wouldn't something less flashy, and more heartfelt be more appropriate? (though the proposed one IS pretty)