1993 COUNCIL OAK TREE
This ornament honors Tulsa's historic, Creek Council Oak Tree.
The back piece shows the majestic southern view of the Oak. The date, 1836, marks when the Lochapokas (part of the Creek Nation) arrived in Tulsa.
Bringing ashes from their home village council fire in Alabama, they kept the embers alive along the "Trail of Tears" journey. In a solemn ceremony beneath a great oak overlooking the Arkansas River, the council fires were rekindled. They named the beautiful area Tulsey or Talise, which is Creek for "town".
The front piece features the Lochapoka tribal elders gathered in council at the foot of the tree, re-establishing their well developed system of government, commerce and community in the new land.