Seeds of the Ancestors Tractors rumble through fields of the Muscogee Creek Nation Farmers plow rows for squash tomatoes and peppers Some farmers remember foods that nourished their ancestors for thousands of years In their fields vines twist around pumpkins Large kerneled corn called safke stands tall Whether they work with tractors computers or microscopes Muscogee today feel connected to their ancestors They work together to weave their history into daily life ancestor family member who lived a long time ago
The Creek planted a large kerneled corn called safke National seal The seal of the Muscogee Creek Nation hangs in the National Council Office in Okmulgee Oklahoma The plow and bundle of wheat in the center honor their long tradition of agriculture 5
Chapter 1 Early Life Rivers and streams flowing through present day Georgia and Alabama connected a group of American Indian tribes hundreds of years ago They built villages along the shores Canoes turned the waterways into roads between communities They called themselves the Mvskoke the Muscogee British later met them along these rivers and creeks and called them the Creek The Muscogee lived well River flooding made garden soil rich with nutrients Villages swelled with people The Muscogee founded new towns To stay strong the communities formed a confederacy Residents of up to 500 towns made decisions together and protected each other Inside each Muscogee town tribe members worked together The chief made decisions with the help of a council of advisers and priests They discussed a problem until everyone agreed on a solution
Muscogee communities worked together and helped each other A VOTS 2 confederacy union of people or groups with a common goal council group of people elected to make decisions for a larger group
