Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Secretary of State is the constitutionally designated keeper of the Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma. It is used by the Secretary of State to authenticate all official acts of the Governor, except for the approval of laws.

Except for those seeking to use it fraudulently, usage of the Seal or its likeness is not prohibited. Oklahoma Attorney General Opinion 1997 OK AG 68 holds that:

Pursuant to 21 O.S.1991, § 1571, a person is guilty of forgery in the second degree if that person, with the intent to defraud, forges or counterfeits the Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma or falsely makes, forges or counterfeits any impression purporting to be the impression of the Great Seal. Otherwise, there are no statutory limitations on the use of the design of the Great Seal, and the Secretary of State has no authority to prohibit any person or entity from using the design of the Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma.

History

Each of the Five Civilized Tribes had a great seal, which was attached to its official documents just as such seals are used by the public officials of the various states and territories. When the territory of Oklahoma was organized, the first session of the Legislative Assembly made provision for a great seal, which was in use constantly up to the change from Territorial to State Government.

While the Sequoyah Constitutional Convention was in session at Muskogee Reverend A. Grant Evans, who was president of Henry Kendall College, was asked to suggest a design for a seal for the proposed state of Sequoyah. Dr. Evans designed and had carefully drawn a five pointed star. In the angles of the star were placed the tribal seals of the Five Civilized Tribes. Above the star and between the two upper points was a half-length figure of Sequoyah holding a tablet upon which was written “We are Brothers”, in the Cherokee Text. In the other spaces between the points of the star were placed forty-five small stars.

Although denied statehood by the U.S. Congress, the convention’s work was not in vain. Much of the constitution adopted by Oklahoma was based on the draft created by the Sequoyah convention. Their proposed seal was also largely incorporated into that of Oklahoma’s.

During the session of the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention, among the members of the committee which was named to design a great seal of the new state was Gabe E. Parker, a Choctaw Indian, a graduate of Spencer Academy (one of the oldest schools), and of the Henry Kendell College. Mr. Parker wrote to Dr. Evans for suggestions. By calling attention to the design of the great seal for the proposed state of Sequoyah, Dr. Evans suggested that the adoption of the same might not be inappropriate. This suggestion was substantially followed in the designing of a great seal of the state of Oklahoma wherein the great seal of the proposed State of Sequoyah was combined with that of the Territory of Oklahoma. The position of the star was so changed that one point stood vertically upward instead of one point being vertically downward, as was the case in the seal of Sequoyah. The five tribal seals were placed in the angles of the star as before, with the seal of the Territory of Oklahoma in the center. This design also admitted of a more symmetrical arrangement of the forty-five stars in five groups in the spaces between the points, putting nine in each group. In the surrounding circle were placed the words, “Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma,” and the date “1907".

Description and Symbolism

The Oklahoma State Seal consists of a large five-pointed star containing the emblems of the Five Civilized Tribes in the points of each ray. The spaces between the five points were filled with forty-five smaller stars, representing the states of the Union, with the center star as the forty-sixth state.

The Oklahoma State Seal contains six seals. In the center of the large star is the central device of the official Seal of the Territory of Oklahoma, at left, including the words “Labor Omnia Vincit” meaning Labor Conquers All Things. Columbia is the central figure, representing justice and statehood. At right is the American pioneer farmer; at left is the American Indian in traditional dress. These two representatives are shaking hands beneath the scales of Justice, symbolizing equal justice in Oklahoma and on the part of the Federal Government. Beneath the trio is the cornucopia of plenty and the olive branch of peace, and behind is the sun of progress and civilization.

Each of the five rays of the central star represents the official seals of the Five Civilized Tribes.

From the Seal of the Cherokee Nation: A large seven-pointed star, surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves is depicted. The seven-pointed star represents the seven ancient clans of the Cherokee people. The wreath of oak leaves refers to oak wood, the principal hardwood in the old Cherokee country in the Carolinas that was used in maintaining the perpetually burning sacred fire. In this connection, oak was a symbol of strength and everlasting life.

From the Seal of the Chickasaw Nation: An Indian warrior is shown standing in ancient regalia, carrying two arrows in his right hand, a long bow in his left, and a shield on his left shoulder. The two arrows represent his guard over the two ancient tribal divisions, in which all Chickasaw clan and house names originated. According to old tribal lore, the bow and the shield represent the insignia of the Chickasaw warrior by right of his descent from the “House of Warriors”.

From the Seal of the Choctaw Nation: An unstrung bow with three arrows and a pipe-hatchet are blended together. The ceremonial pipe-hatchet was passed around and smoked in council when deliberating important tribal matters. Though a peaceable people, the Choctaws were noted for great strength in defending their homes and country. The unstrung bow represents peace yet instant preparedness for defense. The three arrows, always ready, stood for the three great Choctaw chiefs.

From the Seal of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation: A sheaf of wheat and a plow are represented in the seal of the Muscogee nation. The plow and sheaf of wheat were chosen as modern symbols of agricultural industry, for which the Creeks were noted from earliest times. It is a reference to the prosperity that agriculture brought to the Creek people.

From the Seal of the Seminole Nation: A plumed tribesman is shown paddling a canoe across the lake to a village with a trading post standing near the shore. This scene represents some of the early customs surrounding the act of gathering, preserving and trading plants that were held sacred in connection with their ancient tribal religious rites and ceremonies. It is symbolic of peace and plenty.

Seal Usage

Except for those seeking to use it fraudulently, usage of the Seal or its likeness is not prohibited. Oklahoma Attorney General Opinion 1997 OK AG 68 holds that: