Source of article: Pittsburgh Courier August 18, 1934 p 5
In the early decades of the 20th century various organizations flourished, with the purpose of providing a voice of support to the various communities of Oklahoma Freedmen. Among them was the Creek Freedmen Association. The group organized in the 1920s and although most who were familiar with the organization at the time were mailny people in or near Okmulgee Oklahoma and the many Creek Freedmen settlements, occasionally news about Freedmen made it into the national Black press. One such article was found in a 1934 article of the Pittsburgh Courier.
The article describes to the readers a strong gathering of Freedmen that occurred in Tulsa. The meeting unfolded with over 300 in attendance. The Creek Freedmen Association was formed in 1924 and the group sought to work for the benefit of the Creek Freedmen. As stated, their goal was to protect "the rights of Freedmen against usurpation and exploitation". During these years persons of any degree of African ancestry had many challenges facing them in Oklahoma. Legalized segregation, land grafters, disenfranchisement from the tribal community and many more issues faced them. It is therefore not surprising that they were organized and working for a way to address their concerns and keep them in the forefront of the Creek Freedmen community.
One of their leaders was the amazing A.G.W. Sango, a popular attorney who represented the Freedmen in many cases over the years.
Source of Image: Muskogee Cimeter, July 23, 1909
Sango was one of a long line of attorneys who worked for Freedmen and he was not the only person from the Creek Nation. The first Freedman attorney was Sugar George, who also served in the Creek Nation in both ruling houses, the House of Warriors and House of Kings. Though Sugar George died in the early part of the 20th century, Sango lived well into the early decades and continued to serve the community.
It is not known what happened to the association, but theirs is a legacy that should not be forgotten.
Angela!
ReplyDeleteWow! Thanks for sharing.
Rhonda
Interesting post.. My sister loves reading history books.. I gifted her a history book which shares some really good information about African American history
ReplyDeletegreetings,
ReplyDeletemy name is dekalb walcott, jr. I am the great grandson of luls Z. Walcott Butler, the lady mentioned in your recent article, creek freedman association. Lula's mother was sukie sango, possibly the aunt of atty sango. I started researching my grandfather, David Walcott b, june 10, 1895, Okmulgee county ok., family tree because nothing was known and I struck pay dirt. I have since located david's father John walcott who was a railroad porter bn in tenn. and raised in texas. He married lula in 1898, he was deceased by 1904. Lula was awarded land and because oil was found, the government would not let her keep it. She went all the way to the supreme court. I am a retired Chicago fireman. while discussing these matters with close friends I come to find two other members who's parents were born in Okmulgee, shadlow, m. bn 1926? another who's father owns land on the southern tip of lake eufauala. I never would have dreamed.
Thank you so much for publishing this blog. I am still trying to locate my family members that lived in Oklahoma and Alabama between 1860 - 1936 with the last name of Pitts. Any help in finding records of them would be greatly appreciated.
ReplyDeletei'm going to have to do more research...my great grandmother her maiden name was Sango. And she lived in Muskogee, she married Andy Murrell
ReplyDelete