MVSKOKE RESERVATION – On October 14, the Land, Natural Resources and Cultural Preservation Committee held an in-person meeting.
The committee addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills. All legislation passed through committee will be presented in the next session for full council approval.
TR 25-092 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a grant application to the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Housing Service, Section 533 Housing Preservation Grant for the benefit of the Department of Housing passed with a vote of 4-0. Representative Robyn Whitecloud sponsored this legislation.
MCN wants to help assist the low and very-low income American Indian/Alaskan Native homeowners for rehabilitating and repairing their homes for their health, safety and accessibility.
TR 25-093 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Cherokee National Forest and the MCN for the interment of cultural objects and ancestral remains passed with a vote of 4-0. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored this legislation.
MCN Historic and Cultural Preservation Department is in need to locate appropriate burial lands. As stated in the bill, it is for the interment of human remains and objects. This MOU agreement will be able to allow the remains and items to be in a location that will be protected and preserved while being treated with respect and accorded to MCN traditions.
TR 25-094 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a Memorandum of Agreement among the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Alabama Emergency Management Agency, the Alabama Historical Commission, the Chickasaw Nation, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, the MCN, the University of Alabama and concurring parties regarding the repair of the Moundville Archaeological Park, Moundville, Alabama passed with a vote of 4-0. Representative Mark Randolph sponsored this legislation.
This agreement is to help with the damages that were caused from severe storms in the past at the Moundville Archaeological Park. These damages are in need of repair, according to the bill these storms caused erosion, slope failures and water-controlled structure.
TR 25-097 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute the Professional Services Agreement with Travois, Inc., Travois Architecture Services, LLC and Travois Asset Management, LLC for the 2025 Okemah Low Income Housing Tax Credit Project passed with a vote of 4-0. Rep. Randolph sponsored this legislation.
This bill is for dispute resolution provisions of the agreement which will require negotiation and mediation. According to the bill, the agreement provides that the arbitrator’s award shall be enforceable only in the MCN Tribal Court.
TR 25-098 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the formation of the Okemah Rental Property II Limited Partnership, execution of the initial limited partnership agreement, agreement to lease and all other application materials for the submission of a low income housing tax credit application to the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency for the benefit of MCN passed with a vote of 4-0. Rep. Randolph sponsored this legislation.
This tribal resolution will ensure the partnership will be under the laws of the State of Oklahoma however the partnership shall not be waived, limited or affect sovereign immunity of the MCN and along with other agreements to lease.
NCA 25-095 A law of the MCN amending title 37, chapter 2, subchapter 2, entitled “funds and accounts” to establish the Muscogee Nation Department of Culture and Humanities revolving fund passed with a vote of 4-0. Representative Darrell Proctor sponsored this legislation.
The MCN Department of Culture and Humanities need to set up a revolving fund, this will help their department to accept donations and honorariums that are offered to their department and MCN for language and cultural preservation purposes, according to the bill. These funds will help for future culture and humanities-based projects.
NCA 25-096 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the United States Department of Agriculture for the benefit of the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources passed with a vote of 4-0. Rep. Cloud sponsored this legislation.
The MCN Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources was awarded $55,555 from a grant fund. These funds will be going toward improvement of the management of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in wild cervids and/or increase CWD surveillance and hunter participation in CWD management actions, as stated in the bill.
NCA 25-097 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of FY 23 section 5311(c)(1) Tribal Formula Grant operating funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration for the benefit of the MCN Tribal Transportation Program passed with a vote of 4-0. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored this legislation.
The MCN Tribal Transportation Program was awarded $990,698 and these funds will be for their public transit in all of the counties in MCN tribal jurisdiction and maintaining a transit office in all of the counties as well.
NCA 25-098 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the benefit of the Office of Environmental Services passed with a vote of 4-0. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored this legislation.
The amount of $639,880 will be used to replace a main waterline in Beggs.
NCA 25-099 A law of the MCN amending NCA 24-151(a law of the MCN appropriating funds for the Alternative Housing Program FY 2025 budget) passed with a vote of 4-0. Rep. Randolph sponsored this legislation.
The Alternative Housing Program is for the citizens whose homes are not repairable, this was funded by a grant and it will be depleted soon. According to the bill there is a need to fund the Program to help assist those citizens, which LNC has passed and will go to full council.
NCA 25-100 A law of the MCN appropriating funds for the Alternative Housing Program FY 2026 budget was postponed indefinitely with a vote of 4-0. Rep. Randolph sponsored this legislation.
This was for the Alternative Housing Program to help assist citizens.
NCA 25-101 A law of the MCN amending NCA 23-153 (a law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the benefit of the office of Environmental Services) passed with a vote of 4-0. Rep. Cloud sponsored this legislation.
As stated in the bill, there is a need to amend NCA 23-153 to add language for supplemental funding.
For more information visit, www.mcnnc.com.
