This post identifies the former capitol buildings and present day seats of government for a number of Native American Tribal nations here in the United States. Prior to Oklahoma statehood in 1907, the larger Tribal nations located in what was then the Indian Territory, had capitol buildings where their leaders met. Outside of the former Indian Territory and since 1907 in Oklahoma, Tribal communities have established seats of government to administer their nations.
Navajo Nation flag – Source: en.wikipedia.org
Depicted are seven historic structures and eleven modern ones that have served or now serve as the seat of governmental authority in these Tribal nations. Those included are meant to be a representative sample of some of the most historic and impressive structures from across the United States.
Cherokee Nation seal – Source: en.wikipedia.org
Several of these impressive structures, particularly modern ones, were designed to reflect the architectural style or natural building materials endemic to that Tribal nation, while others represent sacred or cultural images that are important to that particular nation.
It must be noted though, that these Tribal nations are considerably smaller in geographic area than they were prior to European settlement and aggressive American westward expansion across the continent. Furthermore, many of these nations were brutally forced to vacate their traditional homelands, resulting in the loss of many lives and the disruption of long-standing traditions. In addition, nomadic Tribal nations were confined to reservations and required to forgo their customary lifestyle for a largely stationary existence.
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Historic Choctaw National Capitol (1884-1907) – Tuskahoma, Oklahoma
Historic Choctaw Capitol in Tuskahoma, OK – Source: indigenous space.org
- Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970
Newly completed Choctaw Nation Government Center – Durant, Oklahoma
New Choctaw headquarters in Durant, OK – Source: fab.ae.com
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Historic Chickasaw National Capitol (1898-1906) – Tishmongo, Oklahoma
Historic Chickasaw Capitol in Tishomingo, OK – Source: chickasaw.tv
- Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971
Current Chickasaw Nation Legislative Building – Ada, Oklahoma
Current Chickasaw Capitol – Ada, OK – Source: chickasaw.net
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Historic Creek (Muscogee) National Capitol (1878-1907) – Okmulgee, Oklahoma
Creek Capitol in Okmulgee, OK – Source: indigenousspace.org
- Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961
- Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966
Current Muscogee (Creek) Nation Government Offices – Okmulgee, Oklahoma
Muscogee Nation Office – Source: indiancountrytoday.com
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Reconstruction of Cherokee Council House (1825-1832) – New Echota, Georgia
Source: en.wikipeida.org
Historic Cherokee National Capitol (1869-1907) – Talequah, Oklahoma
Cherokee Capitol in Talequah, OK – Source: allthingscherokee.com
- Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961
- Added to the National Register of Historic Places 1966
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Navajo Nation Council Chamber (1935-present) – Window Rock, Arizona
Navajo Nation Council Chamber in Window Rock, AZ – Source: indianz.com
- Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004
- Declared a National Historic Landmark in 2004
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Lower Brule Sioux Government Center – Lyman County, South Dakota
Source: hrw.org
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Jicarilla Apache Nation Government Center – Dulce, New Mexico
Jicarilla Apache Headquarters in Dulce, NM- Source: wheelwright.org
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Historic Osage Nation Capitol (1894-1907) – Pawhuska, Oklahoma
Historic Osage Capitol in Pawhuska, OK – Source: pawhuska.org
- Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976
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Colville Federated Tribes Government Center – Nespelem, Washington
Source: cct.aaa.com
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Standing Rock Sioux Nation Government Center – Fort Yates, North Dakota
Standing Rock Sioux Headquarters in Fort Yates, ND – Source: ndstudies.gov
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Seminole Nation of Florida Government Center – Hollywood, Florida
Seminole Nation Headquarters in Hollywood, FL – Source: semtribe.com
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Southern Ute Nation Government Center (2015-present) – Ignacio, Colorado
Source: indiancountrytoday.com
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Red Lake Chippewa Band Government Center – Red Lake, Minnesota
Source: growlermag.com
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Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Government Center – Fort Hall, Idaho
Source: sbtribes.com
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Northern Cheyenne Nation Government Center – Lame Deer, Montana
Northern Cheyenne Headquarters in Lame Deer, MT – Source: en.wikipedia.org
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SOURCES:
- https://chickasaw.net/Our-Nation/Locations/Chickasaw-National-Capitol.aspx
- https://www.cherokee.org
- https://www.choctawnation.com
- https://www.mcn-nsn.gov
- https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov
- https://www.navajo-nsn.gov
- http://www.cheyennenation.com
- https://www.mcn-nsn.gov
- https://www.semtribe.com/stof
- https://www.standingrock.org
- https://janofficial.com
- https://www.southernute-nsn.gov
- http://www.sbtribes.com
- https://www.redlakenation.org
- https://www.colvilletribes.com
- https://www.lowerbrulesiouxtribe.com
- en.wikipedia.org for each of the capitols and tribal nations
- https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/76001574_text
- https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/osage-history-and-culture-from-early-20th-century-to-present/19296
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navajo_Nation_Council_Chamber
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