Child who died at Indian board school returned to Seminole Nation

(TVLSE, Okla.) 17-year-old Albert Mekko, who died at Carlisle Indian School in 1881, finally returned home Tuesday. Seminole Nation in partnership with Muscogee Nation, Tulsa Police, Strong Hands, and grassroots organizers took part in a motorcade from Council Oak Park, a sacred Muscogee site, to Seminole Nation to get him there.

“Today, for the first time in around 140 years, we’re bringing one of our students back home,” said Rev. Chebon Kernell, ceremonial leader and Albert’s relative. “And it’s really an emotional time.” 

Kernell said Albert was forced to go to Carlisle in 1879. 

“This is really a time of joy, but it’s also a time of sorrow because the fact and the reality remains that none of our children should ever have been taken from our homes,” Kernell said. “And today we are working with all of our entities all across the United States and First Nations communities in Canada to bring all of our children home.”

Related Story: “Every Child Matters Honor Walk” happening Monday in Seminole Nation

Albert is one of three known Seminole children to have died in Indian boarding schools. 

Seminole Chief Lewis J. Johnson, who is also related to Albert, told VNN Albert’s father was a respected leader among the Muskogean people, both Seminole and Muscogee (Creek). 

The Nations still share many similarities, as Seminole Nation is derived from bands of Muscogee people who left Georgia and Alabama during the 18th Century to resettle in Florida. 

We’re told the process of the Office of Army Cemeteries returning deceased children from Carlisle began in 2015, following a visit from Sicangu Youth Council of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. 

“I was the assistant chief at the time and through our historical preservation office, there was a gentleman named Ted Isham and then later David Frank was involved with several others,” Johnson said. “They had touched base with the Seminole Nation about a Seminole young man being at the Carlisle Cemetery. So it started from there. And many of the tribes were returning those children or students that were buried there and taking them back home.” 

Albert will be reinterred within four days of his return to Seminole Nation, as per his family’s wishes.

Johnson said at least one other Seminole child, Wallace Perryman, is still at Carlisle and they are also working to bring him back.