September 2019 Marks 46 Years Since White House Visit

By Ed Mouss

This September will be the 46th year since the first elected Creek Principle Chief visited the White House in the 20th Century. This Creek delegation, in September 1973, was part of the Five Civilized Tribes (5CT) Inter-Tribal Council effort to bring attention to the needs of the five tribes who were being dis-regarded by the U.S Government at the time. This was the first of many U.S. Capitol visits with the highest level Federal leadership which included Cabinet Officers, House of Representatives and Senate Committee Chairmen; and Legislative Authorizing and Appropriation Committees and Staffs.

The result of this 1973 visit culminated in the Interior Department’s providing funds for five years of economic development planning and assistance to the Five Civilized Tribes. Initial funding went to the 5CT Foundation, and then funds were passed through to each tribe as it set up its administration. These high-level face-to-face visits opened the doors to address other needs such as housing and health care.

Mrs. Pat Nixon, wife of President Richard M. Nixon, was the gracious host for this White House Tour. During the special tour, the delegation enjoyed tea with Mrs. Nixon. This was unusual. This photograph was taken in the Yellow Room on the third floor of the White House, which is the personal quarters of a President and his family and normally off-limits to touring.

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Mr. Mouss served with the U.S. Congress’ American Indian Policy Commission; Creek Nation Housing Authority Commissioner; First Election Board for the Creek Nation; Adjct Prof Univ of Okla and Okla St Univ; Tribal Co-chair for PL 93-638 Federal Negotiated Rule-Making Committee; Federal Chair for the Contract Support Work Group; Director for Information Resource Mgmt/IHS/HHS; Chief Self-Determination Services/Interior; Chair Okla and Nat’l Indian Health Board, numerous National Tribal/Federal Taskforces and Work groups, Creek Interpreter-Okfuskee Cty Dist. Court.