On Tuesday, Muscogee (Creek) Nation ordered flags to be flown at half staff at the Tribe's government complex.
Principal Chief David Hill made the dramatic move after several Tribal members, including elders, mekkos and pillars of the community, passed away in recent weeks. Some died due to the coronavirus and others because of ill health or age.
Muscogee (Creek) Nation continues to see their coronavirus case count rise like the rest of Oklahoma, despite mask mandates and work from home orders the Nation put in place months ago.
Jason Salsman, the Nation's press secretary, said this year has been one of the toughest in modern history for the Tribe and that Hill wanted to honor those who passed away.
"When we lose citizens, that's something we never get back. He wanted to let everyone know where his heart is right now. And that is with the people that have lost."
As of Dec. 2, Muscogee (Creek) Nation's Health Department reported 55,848 cases of COVID-19 and 553 deaths within the Nation's jurisdiction.
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