College of Muscogee Nation: Preserving the Past, Cultivating Futures

MVSKOKE ETVLWV NAKCOKV MVHAKV SVHLWECVT: Preserving the Past, Cultivating Futures

The Muscogee (Creek) Nation operates several casinos within its Eastern Oklahoma boundaries, including the River Spirit Casino in Tulsa and the One Fire Casino in the Muscogee (Creek) Nation capitol town of Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Tribal gaming revenue has made possible the development of the College of the Muscogee Nation/MVSKOKE ETVLWV NAKCOKV MVHAKV SVHLWECVT.

Through academic excellence and leadership, the College of the Muscogee Nation encourages personal growth, professional development, and life‐long learning. Of special significance to the development of the College is the Creek Treaty of 1866, in which Tribal leaders mandated a requirement for erecting buildings within Creek Country for educational purposes.

A significant number of Muscogee College students are first-generation college students. The College emphasizes native culture, values, language, and self-determination, and provides an inspirational learning environment for students (tribal and non-tribal alike) to be engaged as citizens of their tribal community and with the global society.

Muscogee Nation College is the only accredited and land granted institution of higher education in Oklahoma. Its $19 million (debt‐free) campus provides a $3.2 million economic stimulus to the region.

Education

For many Tribes, out of all the numerous benefits gaming revenue has provided, education stands at the top of the list. Gaming has made it possible for many to provide increased educational opportunities to students on and off of tribal lands including access to early childhood learning, summer youth and after-school programs, and the development of institutions of Higher Education.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act created the National Indian Gaming Commission to support tribal self-sufficiency and the integrity of Indian gaming. The NIGC has developed four initiatives to support its mission including (1) To protect against anything that amounts to gamesmanship on the backs of tribes; (2) To stay ahead of the Technology Curve; (3) Rural outreach; and (4) To maintain a strong workforce within NIGC and with its tribal regulatory partners. NIGC oversees the efficient regulation of 506 gaming establishments operated by 246 tribes across 29 states. The Commission’s dedication to compliance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act ensures the integrity of the growing $32.4 billion Indian gaming industry. To learn more, visit www.nigc.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.