Macon Magazine

30 maconmagazine.com | APRIL/MAY 2022 Her cancer went into remission, but she was diagnosed once again, and was told by her oncologist that she was dying and could not go back to school. "Law school was my dream," she said. "I was the first in my family to have achieved this level." She asked her doctor if she could go back to school and do the radiation treatments there, and he agreed. She returned to law school and attended the first eight weeks of classes while undergoing daily radiation therapy. By October of that year, she was in remission again. At the end of her first year of law school, Revis was awarded the prestigious Morris K. Udall Native American Congressional Internship; only 12 recipients are selected annually. Revis was placed in Congressman Raul Grijalva's office to serve, and while working as a congressional staffer, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act was up for re- authorization. She was asked to submit testimony about her personal cancer experience. During her third year of law school, Revis interned for her tribe in the legislative branch. Following graduation, she moved home and continued to work for the tribe and throughout various areas of Indian Country. Revis was working as gaming commissioner for the tribe in California when Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief David Hill called her and asked if she wanted to come back to Oklahoma and work for the tribe full time. "I have known Chief Hill and his family for a long time and had immense respect for him, so I agreed," she said. Revis was nominated and confirmed by the legislative branch and named acting secretary of housing and tribal administrator. "Regardless of how I got here, my entire career and passion has been to help give a voice to those who have been overlooked," Revis said. Whether she is advocating for ONPPI or helping Chief Hill advance his agenda, "I never want to look back and see that I didn't make an effort," Revis said. The work Revis is doing for ONPPI now is along the same vein. "My family has a history of working at the mounds," she said. "If we can help strengthen the voice of my ancestors at the park and help to preserve the land by making sure the tribe has a voice when decisions are made, then I will be satisfied." The need for a director of advocacy was realized as the efforts of ONPPI progressed and there was an increased awareness that it would be beneficial to have a tribal partner in Macon. "While the tribe in Oklahoma has been working alongside the partnership, it has been difficult as we are not here on site," Revis said. "While I was at the Nation, I took several trips to the Southeast working on Chief Hill's administrative goals and learning about what would be needed. I think having tribal partners here, locally, is a win-win for everyone." Revis' position as director of advocacy allows her to serve as a liaison in facilitating partnerships, among other tasks: "At the moment, I'm meeting with civic groups and others in Macon who are passionate about helping." One of the more significant conversations Revis has had since relocating to Georgia has been focused on the ecology of the Ocmulgee region: the conservation of topsoil in culturally significant areas and the importance of river cane to the culture. Protecting the rare river cane — a species of giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea) used to make arrows, baskets and more — 'IF SOUNDS ARE JUST VIBRATIONS, THEN I BELIEVE THOSE VIBRATIONS ARE STILL THERE AT OCMULGEE. IT IS NICE TO BE AT A PLACE WHERE OUR PEOPLE HAD PEACE.' — TRACIE REVIS

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