OKMULGEE – The Muscogee (Creek) National Council held a quarterly session via teleconference and in person at the Mound Building on Jan. 31.
The MCNC addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
Veto Message:
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. The National Council originally adopted the bill during the Regular Session on Saturday, December 20, 2025. It was returned as a veto on Wednesday, Jan. 7. The veto stood 16-0.
If the bill had been signed into law by the Principal Chief, each council member would have received a $28,000 raise. The council speaker would have received a $15,000 raise, and the second speaker would have received a $33,000 raise. It would have taken effect in 2028.
Order of Business:
TR 26-001 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a real estate contract for the purchase of property in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Representative Robyn Whitecloud sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the legislation, the Nation intends to utilize the property to further expand on land use.
TR 26-002 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Janet Maylen to serve on the Mvskoke Loan Fund Board. Representative James Factor sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
Maylen’s term will begin upon confirmation and will expire on January 31, 2029.
TR 26-003 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving and authorizing the Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, LLC (“MNGE”) Board of Directors to execute World Wide Technology Quote 7584169.2. Representative Robert Hufft sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the legislation, the quote will last five years and begin on Jan. 27.
TR 26-004 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute an agreement with Satellite Shelters Inc. for the construction of two (2) modular buildings to house the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Central Division on tribal property. Rep. Hufft sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the legislation, the MCN Lighthorse Central Division needs new office space because it is currently housed in a building owned by Okmulgee Public Schools. The new buildings will be located at 2917 N. Wood Drive in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.
TR 26-005 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a lease with the United States Department of the Army, through the real estate division of the United States Corps of Engineers, for the Fountainhead Golf Course. Representative Lucian Tiger sponsored the bill, which was adopted 11-4. Representative Dode Barnett, Representative Thomasene Osborn, Rep. McHenry, and Rep. Whitecloud opposed the bill.
According to the legislation, the renewed lease will include specific terms and conditions that will apply to future endeavors of Fountainhead. A previous tenured lease had expired in 2023. Rep. Barnett claimed the operation of the golf course had resulted in financial losses for the Nation in the past.
NCA 26-001 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 Head Start Preschool Program and appropriating a tribal match. Representative Darrell Proctor sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
The $2,969,280 grant will be matched by a 20 percent contribution of $742,321 from the Nation, for a total of $3,711,601. According to the legislation, it will be used to continue the administration of the Head Start Program.
NCA 26-002 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Funds for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Social Services Program. Representative Lora Harjo-King sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the legislation, $299,152 will be used to provide cooling, heating, and crisis funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
NCA 26-003 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the United States Department of Agriculture for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation 2026 Summer EBT Program and appropriating a tribal match. Representative Mary Crawford sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
The $1,029,260 grant was awarded based on a 50 percent match from the Nation. A total of $2,058,520 will be used to provide EBT cards for approximately 105,000 eligible children living on the Mvskoke Reservation.
NCA 26-004 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the United States Department of Agriculture and appropriating a tribal match for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Food Distribution Program. Rep. McHenry sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
The $1,668,151 grant will receive a $417,038 match from the Nation. A total of $2,085,189 will be used to provide EBT cards for approximately 105,000 eligible children living on the Mvskoke reservation.
NCA 26-005 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Administration for Children and Families Office of Family Assistance for the benefit of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Crawford, was adopted 15-0.
According to the legislation, the $778,666 grant will be used to continue administering the TANF program.
NCA 26-006 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a supplemental appropriation for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Citizenship Office for Fiscal Year 2026. Rep. McHenry sponsored the program, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the legislation, the $458,079 appropriation will be used for personnel, supplies, and software/license line items.
NCA 26-007 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, FY 25 U.S. Department of Justice Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation for the Benefit of the Reintegration Program. Rep. Proctor sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the legislation, the $900,000 solicitation will be used to address current gaps in the department’s services related to management, behavioral health, and training.
NCA 26-008 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Housing. Rep. Barnett sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the legislation, the $400,000 grant will be used to assist in the construction of 60 residential units. The units will be designed for low-income tenants and will give them the opportunity to live in a community with fellow Tribal citizens.
NCA 26-009 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the National Park Service Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) grant for the benefit of the Historic and Cultural Preservation Department. Rep. Barnett sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the legislation, the $95,050 grant will be used to ensure the protection and preservation of valued Mvskoke historic and cultural resources, including sacred places, cultural sites, cultural remains, and Mvskoke history for future generations.
NCA 26-010 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the Ralph. T. Coe Center Rehoming Program Grant for the benefit of the Department of Culture and Humanities. Representative Cody Phillips sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the legislation, the $9,277 grant will be used to support conservation and preservation efforts, exhibition and interpretation, staff support, storage enhancements, and community outreach.
NCA 26-011 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation appropriating funds to create the Mvskoke Opunvkv Mentor-Apprentice Program. Representative Cloud sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the legislation, the Mvskoke Opunvkv Mentor-Apprentice Program will be composed of multi-generational staff who will be responsible for transmitting intergenerational knowledge of Mvskoke Opunvkv knowledge. It will allow mentors to teach apprentices the Mvskoke language full-time. This follows Proclamation No. 25-07, which declared a state of emergency for the Mvskoke and Euchee languages. A $625,610 appropriation will be provided for the Mvskoke Opunvkv Mentor-Apprentice Program.
NCA 26-012 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Health Care Service Corporation for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Housing. Rep. Phillips sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the legislation, the $6,000 grant will be used to provide home repairs to Tribal elders age 62 and older.
NCA 26-013 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a supplemental appropriation to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Construction Services for the Ramp Assistance Program. Rep. Barnett sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the legislation, the $50,000 appropriation will be used to install wheelchair ramps for Tribal elders.
NCA 26-014 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending Title 28, § 7-107, entitled “Exceptions.” Rep. Phillips sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
The legislation adds the language, “and all projects under the Tribal Utility Authority shall be exempt from the requirements in § 7-103 through § 7-106 as said projects are addressed in the Nation’s Tribal Utility Authority Act.”
NCA 26-015 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) nation creating MCNCA Title 14, § 2-636 entitled “Contraband in Jails”. Representative William Lowe sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the legislation, no person may bring or possess weapons, alcohol, tobacco, phones, or other banned items in any jail or detention facility on the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. If a person is found with any of the aforementioned items, they will be charged with a felony. Any person who is caught providing these items to a prisoner will also be charged with a felony.
NCA 26-016 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation creating MCNCA Title 14, § 2-346 entitled “Disruption or Prevention of Emergency Telephone Call” and creating Title 14, § 2-347 entitled “Maiming”. Rep. Lowe sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the legislation, the Nation’s criminal code will be expanded to establish a criminal offense of maiming. This prohibits the intentional and premeditated infliction of serious bodily injury resulting in disfigurement, disability, or substantial loss of physical vigor. Any person found guilty of this crime will be charged with a felony.
Any person who is found guilty of intentionally interrupting or disrupting an emergency telephone call will be charged with a misdemeanor.
NCA 26-017 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 14, § 2-303 entitled “Battery”. Rep. Lowe sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the legislation, it will expand the Nation’s criminal code regarding battery. Medical care providers, including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers, are now protected under the law. Any person found guilty of committing battery against the aforementioned medical care providers will be charged with a felony.
NCA 26-018 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition for the benefit of the Office of the Secretary of the Nation. Rep. Factor sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the legislation, the $10,000 grant will be used to purchase four computers and office supplies.
NCA 26-019 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation establishing a new Title 36, Chapter 10, entitled “Vapor Products Code”. Rep. Factor sponsored the bill, which was postponed indefinitely 15-0.
Rep. Factor made a motion to postpone the bill indefinitely. It was seconded by Rep. McHenry. There was no discussion on this bill. If the legislation had been adopted, it would have regulated the trade of vape products on the Mvskoke Reservation. It would also have given the Nation the authority to establish a Vapor Product retail business.
NCA 26-020 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation repealing Title 16, Chapter 5, Subchapter 3, entitled “Department of Tourism and Recreation” and amending MCNCA Title 16, Chapter 11 entitled “Secretary of Commerce” and creating new subchapters entitled “Marketing”, “Tourism” and “Recreation” and authorizing an appropriation for the new tourism department. Rep. Lowe sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the legislation, the $264,939.71 appropriation will be used to merge the Marketing, Tourism and Recreation Departments under the Secretary of Commerce.
NCA 26-021 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a supplemental appropriation for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Festival Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. Rep. Hufft sponsored the bill, which was adopted 13-2. Rep. Barnett and Rep. Whitecloud voted against the legislation.
This legislation had previously been voted on during the Saturday, Nov. 18 Regular Session. Its bill number was previously designated as NCA 25-117 and failed to pass. Rep. Whitecloud brought attention to the fact that the bill had previously failed when federal funding was cut due to the government shutdown last year. According to the legislation, the $833,000 appropriation will be used for “special events” to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Mvskoke Festival.
NCA 26-022 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving and authorizing the Principal Chief to execute and file articles of incorporation with the office of the Secretary of the Nation to form “Native Advantage, Inc.” under Muscogee (Creek) Nation Law and approving the corporate bylaws for “Native Advantage, Inc.” Rep. Tiger sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the legislation, Native Advantage will establish and administer a Medicare Advantage Plan and will comply with all federal, state, and tribal regulatory requirements. Native Advantage will be wholly owned by the Nation. It will establish a board composed of elected officials, all eligible MCN Tribal citizens.
To view the full agenda, visit mcnnc.com.
