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Council adopts resolution recognizing friendship with Muscogee (Creek) Nation; city to display land acknowledgement and fly Muscogee flag
Summary
Columbus council unanimously adopted a resolution declaring friendship with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, directing the display of a land-acknowledgment and authorizing the city to fly the Muscogee Nation flag at the courthouse and other suitable locations.
Columbus city council on Feb. 25 unanimously adopted a resolution declaring appreciation for and friendship with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and directing several concrete steps to acknowledge the nation’s historical role in the region.
Mayor Pro Tem Tim Allen read the resolution, which recognizes the Muscogee people as the original inhabitants of lands now within Muscogee County, acknowledges historical dispossession beginning in the 1820s and commits the city to cultural exchange and respectful stewardship. The resolution specifically directs the consolidated government to:
- Work “whenever possible” to promote and support the interests and efforts of the Muscogee Creek Nation; - Provide reasonable cultural exchange opportunities and facilitate expenses for such exchanges; - Fly the Muscogee (Creek) Nation flag at the Muscogee County Courthouse and other suitable locations in accordance with U.S. and Georgia flag codes and with tribal approval; and - Display a land‑acknowledgment describing the history described in the resolution in a prominent location in Columbus City Hall.
Council voted in favor after brief comments from several officials and a longer public presentation at the dais about a related cultural project. Several speakers at the meeting described a “Muskogee Project” — a multi‑week residency of Muscogee playwrights, actors and artists who are scheduled to present work and participate in cultural exchange locally — and asked the council to approve a formal welcome and planning for a visiting delegation.
Councilors said they supported the resolution and looked forward to formalizing cultural exchanges, including an expected delegation visit and related programming in April. The resolution will be posted and implemented by city staff under the city’s existing procedures for flag display and public displays.
What to watch next: City staff said they will coordinate with tribal representatives and the mayor’s office on a formal welcome and gift exchange, a permanent land‑acknowledgment display in City Hall and formal procedures to fly the Muscogee Nation flag with tribal approval.
