The Muscogee (Creek) Nation held its Sexual Assault Awareness Walk (SAAM) last Friday, July 12, at 12 p.m. in Posey Park.
The event was originally scheduled for April but was rained out.
Community supporters joined in the walk as a powerful show of support for survivors of sexual assault.
The walk, organized by the Muscogee Nation’s Family Violence Prevention Program (MNFVP), is part of an ongoing effort to raise awareness, provide resources, and foster solidarity on tribal land and in the community. The event was originally postponed due to weather, but organizers are excited to move forward with a strong community presence.
“Our mission is to restore safety on the reservation by providing advocacy support services to those affected by violent crimes,” Ella Mitchell Eufaula advocate said.
Participants were given free t-shirts, water bottles, tote bags and other items.
Attendees walked up Second Street, around the courthouse and back to Posey Park, symbolizing both the pain and progress experienced by survivors.
The walk also serves as a moment to highlight the critical services offered by the Muscogee Nation’s Family Violence Prevention Program, which provides confidential support, emergency housing, le-gal aid, and counseling. Their hotline (918-7327979) remains available to those seeking help.
“We’re walking to to take a united stand against sexual violence on our reservation,” said Mary Fox who participated in the walk. This walk and the service provided by the MNFVP are not just for members of the nation, it is for everyone of every race and sex.
The MNFVP provides 24/7 crisis response, safety planning, legal aid, emergency shelter, and culturally based support to hundreds of survivors annually. Through the Victim Protection and Jurisdiction Expansion Ac the agency has been able to assert tribal sovereignty to hold offenders accountable and keep victim safety at the forefront.
The SAAM Honor Walk also aims to educate the broader public about consent, prevention, and the importance of believing and supporting survivors. “Our combined voices make a difference,” Fox said.
Sexual violence affects thousands of Oklahomans each year. Events like this walk help break the silence, empower survivors, and strengthen community bonds.
Together, the Eufaula community and the Muscogee Nation continue to walk toward justice, healing, and hope.