TAHLEQUAH, Okla.-Two Confederate monuments were lifted by crane and removed from the Cherokee Nation Capitol Square in Tahlequah Saturday as directed by Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr., who observed from a few feet away.

Both monuments were placed on the capitol square nearly a century ago when the property was a county courthouse owned by the state. The Cherokee Nation did not place the monuments.

"We've suffered for centuries with too many others telling our story for us as they see fit," Chief Hoskin said. "It's difficult to tell our story when we have non-Indian-driven monuments talki...