TULSA, Okla. – Last week the Muscogee (Creek) Nation along with the City of Tulsa, dedicated a gift from the Oklahoma Centennial Commemoration Commission. This gift is a sculpture that features three Creek youths playing stickball, which is a traditional game with the ceremonial culture of the Muscogee Creek people. The statue is titled “Not Just A Ball Game” and is the artwork of Sandra Van Zandt.
Pictured are Principal Chief A.D. Ellis, Muscogee (Creek) Nation; Susan Neal, City of Tulsa; Sandra VanZandt, Sculpture Artist and Don Walker, co-chair of the Oklahoma Centennial Commission Tulsa Committee. (Photo provided by Thompson Gouge, Muscogee (Creek) Nation Public Relations office)
Input was received by the Creek Ceremonial Ground Mekkos and members for the information of the statue with the history of the game.
“This will be a place where our children and their friends can come and see our history” said Cherrah Quiett, Muscogee (Creek) National Council Representative.
“It is always good to be recognized by the City of Tulsa for our Creek history,” Principal Chief A.D. Ellis added.
The Creek Stickball Park is located at 1800 S. Cheyenne Ave. across the street south of the Council Oak Tree. When you come to the Creek Stickball Park you will see wrought iron fencing, new sidewalks, landscaping, irrigation and benches. A plaque will also be near the sculpture telling the story of how stickball is “Not Just A Game.”
This gift was made possible through a $25,000 donation from the Oklahoma Centennial Commemoration Commission.