MVSKOKE RESERVATION – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council held a Regular Session in person on Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Mound Building.
The MCN National Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
Order of Business:
NCR 26-007 A resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) National Council adopting the rules of the procedures of the National Council. Representative Lucian Tiger sponsored the bill. It was cosponsored by Representatives Mary Crawford, James Factor, Sandra Golden, William Lowe, Anna Marshall, Cody Phillips, and Darrell Proctor. The legislation was postponed until the September Regular Session 13-0.
Speaker Randall Hicks remarked that each council representative has until Friday, Sept. 4, to turn in their proposed amendments or changes to Internal Affairs. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 26-048 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending TR 25-033 (A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a real estate contract for the purchase of property located in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma). Rep. Phillips sponsored the legislation. It was adopted 13-0.
According to the law, the BIA determined that the land description conflicted with a recorded acquisition deed and official survey. This amendment is required to secure a “Concur Low Risk” Land Description Examination and Validation clearance to create a trust parcel. The Nation has determined this land is necessary to “facilitate tribal self-determination, government functionality or economic development.” There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 26-049 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Bureau of Indian Affairs to execute a grant of easement for right-of-way agreement and a grant easement for temporary right-of-way, on behalf of the Nation, with Oklahoma Natural Gas Company, a division of One Gas, Inc., associated with Tribal trust property known as Taylor Drive low rent housing. Representative Robyn Whitecloud sponsored the bill. It was adopted 13-0.
According to the law, the property is located at 13 North, Range 13 East in Okmulgee County. ONG will require a storage area for their equipment for six to eight months during construction on a distribution pipeline. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 26-050 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a standard engagement agreement contract with the University of West Georgia. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored the bill. It was adopted 13-0.
According to the law, the University of West Georgia requested a consultation from the Historic and Cultural Preservation department about the history of the MCN. The fee for the department’s services is $2,750. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 26-051 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers NAGPRA Collections Temporary Custody Agreement for the temporary housing of human remains and cultural items at the USACE Archaeological Repository in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Representative Dode Barnett sponsored the bill. It was adopted 14-0.
According to the law, the Cultural and Humanities Department has identified the repository as meeting the security and safety standards required to protect human remains and cultural items under the Nation’s control. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 26-052 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a fourth amendment and limited waiver to a revolving loan and security agreement with BOKF, NA dba Bank of Oklahoma. Rep. Tiger sponsored the bill. It was adopted 14-0.
According to the law, the Nation had previously entered into a $75,000,000 agreement under TR 18-080. It also previously entered into a $125,000,000 line-of-credit agreement under TR 24-054. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 26-053 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute an engagement agreement for legal services with the law firm of Foster Garvey PC on behalf of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Rep. Golden sponsored the bill. It was adopted 14-0.
According to the law, this agreement will provide legal services that will address “questions and disputes that continue to arise with the Nation’s expanding jurisdiction and services.” There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 26-054 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a grant application to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Fiscal Year 2024 & 2025 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) for the benefit of the Emergency Management Department. Representative Robert Hufft sponsored the bill. It was adopted 14-0.
According to the law, the Nation must conduct hazard mitigation activities to protect the River Spirit Casino’s infrastructure from natural disasters. The Nation will commit a leveraged resource match of $5 million over three years. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 26-055 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute the First Amendment and Limited Waiver to Credit Agreement with BOK Financial Public Finance, Inc. Rep. Tiger sponsored the bill. It was adopted 14-0.
According to the law, the amendment will pertain to “Section 7.13 Financial Covenant.” That section states that “the Credit Parties shall have Liquidity in an amount equal to the Liquidity Threshold Amount.” The amendment will extend the deadline to Tuesday, Sept. 15. There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 26-110 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the opioid settlement funds for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Veterans Affairs Service Office for a veteran wellness program. Representative Lora Harjo-King sponsored the bill. It was adopted 14-0.
According to the law, a total of $920,969 will be used to create a coordinated wellness model that will address the effects of opioid-related harm. It will include prevention, support, and access to services that will “strengthen overall well-being.” There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 26-111 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the Marathon Petroleum Community Investment Programs Grant for the benefit of the Emergency Management Department. Rep. Crawford sponsored the bill. It was adopted 14-0.
According to the law, $45,000 will be used for the purchase of HazMat response equipment. This will include gas masks, gas detectors, and a decontamination tent. There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 26-112 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the Youth Service American Grant for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Youth Services. Rep. Crawford sponsored the bill. It was adopted 14-0.
According to the legislation, the 2026 We Serve to Remember 9/11 Day grant will provide $1,000 to “lead a collaborative, youth-driven 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance project.” It will address food insecurity across the Mvskoke Reservation. There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 26-113 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the Tulsa Community Foundation Grant for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Employment and Training Administration. Rep. Harjo-King sponsored the bill. It was adopted 14-0.
According to the legislation, the grant will provide $10,000 to “encourage active participation in Career Readiness, remove employment barriers and retain employment.” There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 26-114 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a supplemental appropriation for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation School Clothing Program FY 2026 Budget. Rep. Crawford sponsored the bill. It was adopted 14-0.
According to the legislation, this year’s School Clothing Program is projected to have a shortfall. A $1,700,000 appropriation will be used to offset the potential shortfall for the 2026 school clothing season. There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 26-115 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Institute of Museum of Library Services for the benefit of the College of the Muscogee Nation. Rep. Harjo-King sponsored the bill. It was adopted 14-0.
According to the legislation, the $10,000 grant will be used to purchase four laptops, 18 laptop bags, and acquire new books. There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 26-116 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending 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. Rep. Proctor sponsored the bill. It was adopted 14-0.
According to the legislation, the $2,987,952 grant will be used to continue to administer the Head Start Program. The Nation matched the grant with $746,989. There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 26-117 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 18, §2-104, entitled “Vocational training; Tribal grants.” Rep. Proctor sponsored the bill. It was adopted 14-0.
According to the legislation, the amendment will change the location to which the location awards are sent. Instead of the grant recipient’s home address, it will be sent to the institution where they are enrolled. There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 26-120 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a budget modification in excess of ten percent (10%) for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Realty/Trust Department for the FY 2026 Budget. Rep. Phillips sponsored the bill. It was adopted 14-0.
According to the legislation, the budget modification will “reallocate certain funds for other necessary expenses as outlined in the attached budget modification request.” There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 26-121 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of FY 24 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 Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Transportation Program. Rep. Phillips sponsored the bill. It was adopted 14-0.
According to the legislation, the $910,086 grant will provide public transit in all counties within the MCN jurisdiction. There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 26-122 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 28, Chapter 9, entitled “Muscogee (Creek) Nation Natural Resource Conservation District”. Rep. Barnett sponsored the bill. Rep. Whitecloud and Rep. Phillips cosponsored it. It was adopted 14-0.
According to the legislation, beginning in Fiscal Year 2027, $700,000 in annual funds for the MCN Conservation District department’s operations will be funded through the Comprehensive Annual Budget.
NCA 26-124 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice, FY 2026 Special Attorneys Program Round 2 for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Office of the Attorney General. Rep. Lowe sponsored the bill. It was adopted 14-0.
According to the legislation, the $1,126,157 grant will be used to hire two prosecutors who will be cross-designated and assigned to work in coordination with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 26-125 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 14, § 3-1307 entitled “Person Involved in Personal Injury Accident While Under the Influence of Alcohol or Other Intoxicating Substance – Causing Great Bodily Injury.” Rep. Golden sponsored the bill. It was adopted 14-0.
According to the bill, it will add language to the existing DUI law. It defines a second DUI offense as a felony. Offenders who cause great bodily harm can face up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine. There was no discussion on this bill.
NCA 26-126 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 37, Chapter 3, entitled “Employees”, to amend the minimum hourly wage for employees of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and appropriating funds for the employee wage increases. Rep. Tiger sponsored the bill. It was cosponsored by Reps. Crawford, Factor, Harjo-King, Golden, Lowe, Marshall, Proctor, Phillips, and Hufft. An amendment to the law was passed 14-0. The adopted substitute, as amended, was adopted 11-3. Reps. Barnett, Whitecloud, and Representative Thomasene Osborn opposed the bill.
Rep. Tiger explained that some of the costs in the legislation have increased. Employees will not see the full raises immediately, they will be implemented over the next three fiscal years. During discussion, Rep. Tiger remarked that this legislation is important.
“It’s a good thing the Nation is able to do this. I have served under three administrations. It’s never been able to be done. This is something that I think will help us retain employees,” Tiger said.
Rep. Barnett said that more clarity was needed on how the increase will affect federally funded departments. MCN Controller Patricia Killian explained that all federally funded departments may need to supplement the costs of the raises with grants. However, Killian explained that raises for all departments are built into the legislation if grants are not obtained.
Rep. Osborn said that she supports employee wage increases. However, she stated that she believes the power to increase wages lies with the executive branch.
“I’ve been asked some questions I couldn’t answer. These questions have come from the citizen employees,” Osborn said. “I believe raising the employee minimum wage is an executive branch function. The National Council, we haven’t reviewed or approved the FY 27 budgets yet. I feel that if this legislation is approved today it could throw finance into chaos because we haven’t approved our budgets yet.”
Rep. Whitecloud requested Principal Chief David Hill speak to share his thoughts on the legislation during the discussion. Principal Chief Hill said it’s his duty to ensure that the Nation’s annual budget will allow it to operate; however, he does see a need for employee raises.
“I truly support increases for our employees, they do a lot of work,” Principal Chief Hill said. “We are behind. I know Shane Holuby has been working with HR to get our employees paid what they should be.”
Rep. Whitecloud said she supports employee raises as well, but noted that more discussion is needed before a vote is taken.
NCA 26-127 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the transfer of funds from the fund account formerly known as the Health Services Fund to other Fund Accounts and the Tribal Energy, School Clothing, Tribal Burial Assistance, and food for funeral assistance programs’ budgets. Rep. Hufft sponsored the bill. It was cosponsored by Rep. Tiger, Rep. Phillips, Rep. Factor, Rep. Hicks, and Rep. Golden. It was adopted 14-0.
According to the legislation, $13,179,452 in surplus funds will be transferred to other accounts and assistance programs. There was no discussion on this legislation.
To view the full agenda, visit www.mcnnc.com.
