Jon Tiger

Jon Tiger is a Muscogee artist, storyteller, cultural organizer, and Heneha of the Eufaula-Canadian Tribal Town whose life and work are rooted in memory, responsibility, and community. 

A lifelong resident of Eufaula, Oklahoma, Tiger was raised by his grandmother, Susie Scott, whom he called “Mom.” Her enduring instruction—“Never forget your ancestors”—became a guiding principle that continues to shape his art, his service, and his commitment to preserving Muscogee history. 

Tiger is the great-great-grandson of Jackson Lewis, a survivor of removal who became a respected medicine man, healer, stickball player, hunter, Baptist deacon, and member of the Creek National Council. Through storytelling, family gatherings, cultural programs, and the creation of Jackson Lewis Day, Tiger has worked to ensure that the lives and lessons of his ancestors remain present for future generations. 

An artist for more than 50 years, Tiger has exhibited his work locally, nationally, and internationally, including in Celle, Germany. His paintings draw upon Muscogee history, traditional design, spiritual experience, family memory, and the living character of his community. His work has appeared at major Native art gatherings and reflects his place within a distinguished Eufaula artistic tradition. 

Tiger’s artistic philosophy is perhaps best expressed in his words: “It is not a reproduction. It is a continuation.” He approaches history not as something distant or finished, but as a living responsibility carried through image, story, faith, and fellowship. 

Beyond the canvas, Tiger has organized Native arts gatherings, storytelling events, family commemorations, and community programs. Whether painting before an audience, honoring an elder, encouraging another artist, or preserving an ancestral story, Jon Tiger brings people together with humility, humor, and care. His work stands as both artistic achievement and an enduring act of remembrance.