'It's All For Money:' Muscogee Nation Seeks Justice After Ancestral Remains Dug Up For Casino

Some leaders of the Muscogee Nation want justice after they say the remains of their ancestors were dug up so another tribe could build a new casino. They say what happened at the sacred burial site in Alabama feels like a betrayal.

Members of the Muscogee Nation say it has been 20 years of fighting for justice. Leaders say what happened at Hickory Ground in Alabama is something they do not want any tribe to ever experience again.

“It’s all for money,” said Principal Chief David Hill, Muscogee Nation. “It’s just the human nature of it. Should’ve never happened.”

Hill says the graves of 57 Muscogee people who were buried at Hickory Ground were dug up after the Poarch Band tribe acquired the land, but then removed the remains to build a casino and resort.

“To me in a short version, people who betrayed their tribe,” said Hill.

Muscogee Nation Chief of Staff Jeff Fife says he is a member of Hickory Ground tribal town and has been fighting the development for years. He says the worst part is how the remains were treated.

“I also saw human remains and funerary objects wrapped in newspaper, placed in buckets, stored inside a 16-foot cargo trailer,” said Fife.

Fife and other leaders say the remains are supposed to be protected by federal law, and they want answers on how this happened. They want the remains back and the casino demolished.

“It makes me very sad, it makes me upset,” said RaeLynn Butler, Muscogee Nation. Nobody’s ancestors deserved to be treated like that.”

Members of the Muscogee Nation are planning to pack busses and make the trip to Atlanta for next week’s court date.

“We don’t want this to happen in the future,” said Hill, “Not only to Muscogee Creek Nation, but to any tribes.”

Leaders expect the fight to continue even after next week but say they will not back down until they feel justice has been served.

The Poarch Band tribe did not respond to News On 6’s media inquiry.