MVSKOKE RESERVATION – On May 7, 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 the committee will be presented in the next session for full council approval.
TR 26-027 A tribal resolution of the MCN approving the designation of property located in Okmulgee County for future language, cultural, preservation, and educational development passed with a vote of 4-0. Representative Dode Barnett sponsored this legislation, with co-sponsors Representatives Galen Cloud, Cody Phillips, and Randall Hicks.
The property referenced in the legislation is the former Okmulgee Golf and Country Club. The MCN Department of Culture and Humanities has identified critical long-term programming and infrastructure needs that can be developed on this property: a Mvskoke Language Immersion School, starting with early childhood programming, including a baby immersion program; a speaker center or living language site; a museum to Mvskoke history; a cultural and language initiative; a future expansion for the MCN Department of Culture and Humanities and related programs.
TR 26-028 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to negotiate a real estate contract and related documents for the purchase of property in Tulsa County, Oklahoma, passed with a vote of 4-0. Representative William Lowe sponsored this legislation with Co-sponsor Representatives Phillips and Robert Hufft.
According to the legislation, the 28.9-acre property is located in the southwest corner of West 81st Street and Highway 75, within the reservation in Tulsa County.
NCA 26-065 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the benefit of the MCN Department of Housing passed with a vote of 4-0. Rep. Barnett sponsored this legislation.
The Department of Housing was awarded a grant of $34,501,516. These funds will be used for the FY 2026 Indian Housing Plan.
NCA 26-066 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of the Henry Luce Foundation Indigenous Knowledge Program grant for the benefit of the MCN Department of Culture and Humanities passed with a vote of 4-0. Representative Anna Marshall sponsored this legislation.
The MCN Department of Culture and Humanities was awarded $100,000 from a grant. As stated in the bill, this grant will be used for hosting the Sacred Lands and Cultural Preservation Symposium, outreach to send Hickory Ground elders, cultural bearers, and Ceremonial Ground Members, such as Mekko Thompson, to places where they are invited to speak about the work of the Justice for Hickory Ground Movement, and secure the remaining funds to complete the Justice for Hickory Ground documentary.
NCA 26-067 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration Fiscal Year 2026 Tribal Transportation (TTP) Safety Fund for the benefit of federal roads passed with a vote of 4-0. Rep. Marshall sponsored this legislation.
The Federal Roads was awarded $180,000 these funds will be used to widen the shoulder on Mission Road in Okmulgee, as stated in the bill.
NCA 26-069 A law of the MCN amending MCNCA title 5 § 1-105 entitled “Ceremonial traditional religion” and MCNCA title 5 § 2-105 entitled “Ceremonial Ground land acquisition assistance” passed with a vote of 4-0. Rep. Phillips sponsored this legislation.
The original law regarding maintenance assistance for the Ceremonial Ground was not repealed when NCA 21-091 was passed in 2021. There is a need to amend Title 5, Chapter 1, to eliminate the redundancy in the Code. For Title 5, Chapter 2, there is a need to expand assistance, including lease payments, and to ensure legal and regulatory compliance with both Tribal and Federal law, as stated in the bill.
NCA 26-070 A law of the MCN amending MCNCA title 37 § 2-118 entitled “Financial Assistance for Ceremonial Grounds and Churches” and establishing the Ceremonial Grounds/Churches assistance revolving fund in title 37, Chapter 2, subchapter 2, entitled “Funds and Accounts” passed with a vote of 4-0. Rep. Phillips sponsored this legislation.
The appropriate amount for Financial Assistance for Ceremonial Grounds and Churches shall be established at $1,709,000 beginning with the FY 2025 Comprehensive Annual Budget. The revolving fund should continue this account, but not be subject to fiscal-year limitations, and should be under the direction of the LNC Committee, as stated in the bill.
NCA 26-072 A law of the MCN amending MCNCA Title 5, § 2-115 entitled “Funding” and appropriating funds to the Ceremonial Ground and Church Grant, Ceremonial Ground Camp and Church Camp House Grant, and Emergency assistance programs for Ceremonial Grounds and Churches passed/forwarded to BFJ with a vote of 4-0. Rep. Barnett sponsored this legislation with Co-sponsor Representatives Phillips, Cloud and Marshall.
Funds became available for this fiscal year, and the remainder of those funds are in need to assist churches and ceremonial grounds with their immediate needs. From the bill, the sum of $1.2 million from the Interest on Permanent Fund Account to the aforementioned Ceremonial Ground and Church Assistance Programs.
For more information, visit www.mcnnc.com.
