University Heights Choice neighborhood plan

Muscogee (Creek) Nation - Okmulgee, Oklahoma

Client

Muscogee (Creek) Nation

Description

Okmulgee, Oklahoma is headquarters of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. The Muscogee Nation’s rich history is evident in Okmulgee’s historic buildings and sites, which celebrate Native American heritage and the early 20th-century oil boom. The College Heights neighborhood is economically diverse and has a significant historical and cultural presence. There are many assets in the neighborhood, including three higher learning institutions, the MCN Hospital and Mental Health Center, the YMCA, and various faith institutions.

Despite these assets, the Crutchmer Apartments are severely distressed, and the community suffers from economic and social segregation. Notably, the housing site was used as a location for the filming of the television show “Reservation Dogs,” a series about the struggles of Indigenous youth in distressed communities. The Muscogee Nation faces several challenges, including high poverty rates and high unemployment rates, which are often exacerbated by systemic inequities and historical marginalization.

The Muscogee Nation is committed to a collaborative approach that centers their community and integrates cultural practices throughout the planning process. The first Tribal applicant to receive a Choice Neighborhoods grant, the Muscogee Nation will honor their past, empower the present, and ensure a prosperous future for all residents of Okmulgee, especially Tribal citizens.