Calling themselves “warriors of Hickory Ground,” a group of Muscogee Creek Indians were turned away Thursday morning as they attempted to hold a prayer service on what they consider sacred ceremonial grounds.

According to reports from the Wetumka Herald, the group, led by Oklahoma residents Wayland Gray and Mike Harjo, were stopped at the entrance to Creek Casino Wetumpka and asked to leave the property.

Property manager Cody Williamson and members of Poarch Creek Tribal Police asked both the would-be prayer group, which included two Wetumpka pastors, and the media to leave the property.

According to a press release issued by PCI Tribal Liaison Sharon Delmar, the group was asked to leave the premises due to safety concerns, as well as the fact that PCI is currently involved in a lawsuit filed by the Oklahoma tribe.

“This morning, ten individuals approached the Tribe’s casino in Wetumpka where they were met by the property’s general manager and some of his team members,” the release reads. “The individuals asked for access to the construction site, which was denied. As previously stated, these individuals support a lawsuit that has been filed against the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Considering that they are party to that litigation and noting that the property they wished to access is an active construction site, their access was denied.”

For the complete story on Thursday’s events, see the Saturday, Feb. 16 edition of The Atmore Advance.