The Muscogee (Creek) Nation is preparing for the next step in its two-decade fight over the desecration of one of its most sacred sites, Hickory Ground.
The site, which lies in the Muscogee’s ancestral homeland — now modern-day Alabama and parts of Georgia — was disturbed to make way for a casino resort, which caused the removal of 57 human remains and thousands of cultural artifacts, according to the Muscogee.
Another group, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, has also made ancestral claims on the land, leading to the long drawn-out dispute over how it should be used. The Poarch Band did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
Now, the Muscogee (Creek) people are returning to Atlanta for an upcoming court hearing, seeking to set a legal precedent for protecting sacred sites nationwide. Ahead of the hearing, 130 tribal leaders and elders will embark on what they’re calling a “Journey for Justice,” which includes a candlelight vigil at Woodruff Park and a march to the courthouse in Downtown Atlanta.
Muscogee Secretary of Culture and Humanities RaeLynn Butler joined “All Things Considered” to talk about why the site and this case hold such significance.
