MVSKOKE RESERVATION – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council held a Regular Session in person on Saturday, Dec. 20 at the Mound Building.
The MCN National Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 25-119 A Tribal Resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a plan of management and apply for grant funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services and commit a tribal match. Representative Thomasene Yahola Osborn sponsored the bill, which was adopted 14-0.
The $13,627,324 in funds will provide $120 per eligible school-age child on the summer Electronic Benefits Program (EBT) to buy food. The Nation will commit $1,027,324 as a match for 2026.
TR 25-120 A Tribal Resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a grant application to the Department of Housing and Urban Development Indian Community Development Block Grant Program for Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages for the construction of rental units in Okemah. Representative Mark Randolph sponsored the bill, which was adopted 14-0.
The $2 million grant will fund the construction of rental units in Okemah, Oklahoma. The tribe will provide $400,000 in matching funds.
TR 25-121 A Tribal Resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a Memorandum of Agreement and to apply for federal funding through the Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Transportation Bridge Program to fund bridge constructions with Wagoner, Tulsa, Creek, Okmulgee, Muskogee, and McIntosh Counties, and Bixby and Tulsa cities, for ten (10) bridge replacement projects. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored the bill, which was adopted 14-0.
The Transportation Department has identified bridges in these counties as being “structurally deficient and a hazard to the travelling public.” According to the law, the Nation will acquire all necessary temporary construction easements and will be responsible for all utility relocations necessary for the projects.
TR 25-122 A Tribal Resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance FY 2025 Body-Worn Camera policy and implementation program to support law enforcement agencies application for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police Department. Representative Dode Barnett sponsored the bill, which was adopted 14-0.
According to the law, body-worn cameras will enhance public safety, and improve interactions between Lighthorse officers and the public. The grant requires 1:1 matching funds over the course of a three-year period. The Nation will provide $190,212 in matching funds.
NCA 25-121 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Office of Child Care. Representative Anna Marshall sponsored the bill, which was adopted 14-0.
According to the law, the $307,655 grant will be used for administrative costs for direct services to childcare providers and families.
NCA 25-123 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Internal Revenue Service Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program for the benefit of the Office of the Secretary of the Nation. Rep. Barnett sponsored the bill, which was adopted 14-0
According to the law, the $15,000 grant will be used to provide assistance in preparing income tax returns for individuals who are age 59 and younger.
NCA 25-124 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Internal Revenue Service for the benefit of the Office of the Secretary of the Nation. Representative Nelson Harjo Sr. sponsored the bill, which was adopted 14-0.
According to the law, the $2,300 grant will be used for the Office of the Secretary of the Nation to provide assistance in preparing income tax returns for individuals who are 60 or older.
NCA 25-125 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 30, Chapter 4, entitled “Compensation of National Council” and authorizing a supplemental appropriation to the National Council FY 26 Budget. Rep. Harjo sponsored the bill, which was adopted as substitute as amended 13-1. Rep. Barnett voted against the legislation.
The amended substitute will go into effect in 2028. The law gives each council representative a $28,000 raise. The council speaker position will receive a $15,000 raise. The council second speaker position will receive a $33,000 raise. Rep. Harjo Sr., the bill’s sponsor, made a motion to adopt a substitute. The law received vigorous discussion from Council members. Rep. Harjo said that there is a need for the raises for council members in order to support themselves and their families. Representative Sandra Golden concurred, stating “We want to attract young people, forward thinking for the Nation.”
Rep. Randolph voiced his opposition, stating “What have we done to deserve a $28,000 pay jump?” Representative Leonard Gouge remarked that more work needed to be done on the bill. Particularly, to define what it means for a council member to work “full time”. Representative Robyn Whitecloud made a motion to postpone the vote on the bill indefinitely. The vote was split 7-7. Speaker Randall Hicks broke the tie and voted against the postponement. The motion to adopt a substitute was tied 7-7. Speaker Hicks broke the tie and voted in favor of the substitute.
Rep. Barnett initially voted against the substitute but changed her vote in favor in order to make a motion to reconsider the bill. Only council members within the majority vote can make a motion to reconsider a bill. Rep. Barnett said more rules need to be in place, like mandatory attendance for meetings, before the bill is adopted. The council voted in favor of reconsidering 9-5. Rep. Randolph made a motion to move the amendment to 2028. The council voted in favor of the amendment 13-1.
NCA 25-127 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security FY 2025 Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program for the benefit of the Lighthorse Police Department and the Office of Emergency Management. Rep. Barnett sponsored the bill, which was adopted 13-1. Rep. Marshall voted against the legislation.
According to the law, the $817,375 grant will allow the Lighthorse Police Department to provide training, purchase four drones, one explosive portable detector, drone tracking software and drone supplies. For the Emergency Management Department it will allow them to provide training, purchase a counter drone, drone scout tags, six metal detectors, three x-ray systems, four light towers, and two rapid deployment vehicle barricades.
To view the full agenda, visit www.mcnnc.com.
