About this episode

The episode discusses the Muscogee (Creek) Nation's legal battle for sacred land restoration and features a graduation interview with Emory University student Sophie Kalmin.

Muscogee (Creek) Nation awaits a federal judge’s decision about whether the court will allow their case to move to discovery. For more than two decades, the Muscogee have been in a legal battle to restore Hickory Ground , one of their sacred sites, and reclaim the remains of their ancestors. But for more than a decade, a casino has stood over the site in Alabama.  Plus, “Closer Look’s” annual graduation series kicks off with Sophie Kalmin , a 2026 graduating senior from Emory University, who majored in American studies and minored in Middle Eastern and South Asian studies. Kalmin reflects on her academic journey and how her decades-long friendship with Mumbles , a white southern rhinoceros at Zoo Atlanta , inspired her to pursue a career on Capitol Hill. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Host: Rose Scott

Guest: Sophie Kalmin

Topics covered

• sacred land restoration
• legal battle
• graduation series
• academic journey
• inspiration
• cultural heritage

Keywords

• Muscogee Nation
• Hickory Ground
• sacred land
• Emory University
• graduation series
• Zoo Atlanta
• Capitol Hill
• legal battle
• cultural heritage

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Zoo Atlanta, Emory University

Places: Hickory Ground, Alabama

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Closer Look with Rose Scott podcast page.