MVSKOKE RESERVATION – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council held a Regular Session in person on Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Mound Building.
The MCN National Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
NCR 26-008 A resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) National Council adopting the Rules of Procedure of the National Council. Representative Lucian Tiger III sponsored the bill. It was postponed until the November session, 14-0.
If adopted by the full council, amendments to the Rules of Procedure will take effect. The legislation does not specify the changes the amendment makes.
TR 26-067 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Sharon Mouss to serve on the College of the Muscogee Nation Board of Regents adopted 13-1, Rep. Tiger opposed. Representative Lora Harjo-King sponsored the legislation.
The National Council confirms the nomination of Sharon Mouss (Mvskoke) to serve at the CMN Board of Regents Seat #2. This term will expire on Sep. 30, 2031, according to the bill.
TR 26-068 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the reconstruction of the road and parking lots at the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Okemah housing complex for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Housing adopted 14-0. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored the bill.
According to the legislation, the Nation shall prepare the Plans, Specifications, and the Engineer’s Estimate Package, and shall advertise for and receive bids for construction, and award a contract for construction of the project, reconstruction of the road and parking lots at the Okemah Housing Complex in Okfuskee County. Upon the completion of the project, the MCN Department of Housing will assume full responsibility for the maintenance, upkeep, and repair of said roadways.
TR 26-069 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a mineral interest purchase contract for the acquisition of certain mineral interests in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, adopted 14-0. Representative Cody Phillips sponsored the bill.
If adopted by the full council, the Principal Chief will be authorized to execute a Mineral Interest Contract on approximately 193 acres of land, the surface estate of which is currently owned by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. The acquisition of the mineral estate will further consolidate and protect its ownership interests within the Reservation.
TR 26-070 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending of the MCN amending TR 13-095 (A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a contract for the purchase of property located in Okfuskee County, Oklahoma), adopted 14-0. Representative Dode Barnett sponsored this legislation.
This land will be designated for future use by the Natural Resource Conservation District.
TR 26-071 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving the designation of property known as The Dustin Ranch to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation natural resource conservation district for future use was postponed indefinitely, 14-0. Representative. Anna Marshall sponsored the bill.
TR 26-072 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving the update of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation long-range transportation plan with the addition of the routes listed as attachment “A”–MCN NTTFI 2027 adopted 14-0. Representative Robyn Whitecloud sponsored the bill.
According to the bill, new routes of the MCN Long Range Transportation Plan have been identified within the Nation’s reservation that, if accepted by the full council, will be added to the Nation’s National Tribal Transportation Facility.
TR 26-073 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a separate memorandum of understanding with five Oklahoma cities for the maintenance of roadways and associated rights-of-way constructed or improved by the MCN Tribal Transportation Program adopted 14-0. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored the bill.
According to the bill, if accepted by the full council, the cities of Tullahassee, Okmulgee, Morris, Henryetta, and Holdenville agree to maintain an inventory of proposed public roadways and associated rights-of-way constructed as Tribal Transportation Program Routes.
TR 26-074 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a separate memorandum of understanding with six Oklahoma counties for the maintenance of roadways and associated rights-of-way constructed or improved by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Transportation Program adopted 14-0. Rep. Barnett sponsored the bill.
According to the bill, the Nation’s Tribal Transportation Program has an inventory of proposed public roadways and associated rights-of-way located in Wagoner, Creek, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Muskogee, and Hughes Counties and, if accepted by the full council, each County agrees to maintain such routes and rights-of-way should the Nation construct Tribal Transportation Program Routes.
TR 26-075 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation supporting the addition of new routes, as identified in attachment “A”-MCN NTTFI 2027, to the Nation’s existing national transportation facility inventory and requesting the Bureau of Indian Affairs add these new routes to the Nation’s National Tribal Transportation Facility Inventory adopted 14-0. Rep. Barnett sponsored the bill.
According to the bill, new routes have been identified within the Nation’s reservation and are eligible for inclusion in the Nation’s National Tribal Transportation Facility Inventory.
TR 26-076 A tribal resolution of the MCN confirming the nomination of Joseph Johnson to serve as a Supreme Court Justice of the MCN, adopted 13-0-1, abstained by Rep. Whitecloud. Representative William Lowe sponsored this legislation.
Joseph Johnson (Mvskoke) will serve a six-year term as the MCN Supreme Court Justice.
TR 26-077 A tribal resolution of the MCN approving and authorizing the Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, LLC (“MNGE”) Board of Directors to execute the River Spirit Casino Resort I-5 Design-Build, Inc. agreement, adopted 14-0. Representative Robert Hufft sponsored this legislation.
The River Spirit Casino Resort I-5 Design-Build, Inc. agreement is a contract for improvements to the River Spirit Casino Resort. This project will exceed $1 million, according to the bill.
TR 26-078 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a certain Intergovernmental Detention Agreement with the Board of County Commissioners of Okfuskee County Jail in Okfuskee County, City of Okemah, Oklahoma, adopted 13-1. Representative Sandra Golden sponsored this legislation; it was opposed by Rep. Barnett.
Under this agreement, the Okfuskee County Jail in the City of Okemah will be used to detain alleged offenders pending trial or upon sentencing. The agreement required the MCN to pay for housing at a rate of $45/day from Oct 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, and $55/day from April 1, 2027.
TR 26-079 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute an encroachment agreement associated with the tribal fee property in Creek County to be utilized as the new Sapulpa Health Clinic between the MCN and Enable Oklahoma Intrastate Transmission, LLC, adopted 14-0. Rep. Barnett sponsored this legislation with co-sponsor Rep. Phillips.
As stated in the bill, MCN requires an Encroachment Agreement with Enable Oklahoma Transmission, LLC to continue construction of infrastructure for the new Sapulpa Health Clinic.
TR 26-080 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a Professional Service agreement with the Okmulgee County Criminal Justice Authority, adopted 14-0. Rep. Lowe sponsored this legislation.
The Okmulgee County Criminal Justice Authority (OCCJA) has a juvenile detention center, and MCN Children and Family Services needs to secure facilities to provide detention services for tribal juveniles. OCCJA would be able to provide those services and use its facility. MCN will enter into a Professional Service agreement with OCCJA, as stated in the bill.
NCA26-123 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 5, Chapter 2 entitled “Financial Assistance,” postponed until November session 14-0. Rep. Barnett sponsored the bill.
According to the amendment, the funds available for emergency assistance for Ceremonial Grounds and Churches have been increased from $10,000 to $20,000.
NCA 26-134 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, for the benefit of the MCN Department of Health, adopted 14-0. Representative Mary Crawford sponsored this legislation.
The MCN Department of Health was awarded $734,394 in FY 2026-2031 grant funds. These funds will be able to address suicide for the nearly 23,000 American Indians and Alaska Native patients who are living in Northeastern Oklahoma, as stated in the bill.
NCA 26-135 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds in the amount of $273,019 awarded from the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Children and Family Services Administration adopted 14-0. Rep. Crawford sponsored the legislation.
The Children and Family Services Department was awarded grant funds; these funds will be used to protect and promote the welfare of all children.
In the bill, it stated that the department will protect and promote the welfare of all children; some of the things will be to prevent the neglect, abuse, or exploitation of children; support at-risk families through services that allow children, where appropriate, to remain with their families or return to their families in a timely manner; promote the safety, permanence, and well-being of children in foster care and adoptive families; and provide training, professional development, and support to ensure a well- qualified workforce.
NCA 26-136 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing supplemental appropriation in the amount of $113,000 to the Post-Graduate Education and Scholarship Revolving Fund, adopted 14-0. Rep. Crawford sponsored the legislation.
Through the implementation act, all of these funds will be appropriated by and shall carry forward until fully expended.
NCA 26-137 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds in the amount of $58,370 awarded from the United States Department of Agriculture for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, adopted 14-0. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored the bill.
According to the bill, the grant funds will be used by the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources to enhance monitoring efforts for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in wild cervids and to assess its impact on the ecological landscape of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation reservation.
NCA 26-138 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation appropriating funds in the amount of $63,425 for the purchase of certain mineral interests located in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, adopted 14-0. Rep. Phillips sponsored the bill.
According to the bill, the purpose of the law is to appropriate funds necessary to cover the purchase price and incidental costs related to the purchase of certain mineral interests of corresponding surface estate currently owned by the Nation.
NCA 26-139 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation appropriating funds to the Mound Building Oversight Committee for the maintenance and upkeep of the Mound Building, adopted 14-0. Representative Darrell Proctor sponsored the bill.
Rep. Proctor clarified that the funds would be used to upgrade the security system and to provide maintenance and upkeep of the Mound Building.
NCA 26-140 A law of the MCN 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 MCN Children and Family Services Administration, adopted 14-0. Representative Charles McHenry sponsored this bill.
The Children and Family Services Administration was awarded $322,461.44 in grant funds; these funds will be used to operate integrated preventive family preservation services and community-based family support services for families at risk or in crisis, as stated in the bill.
NCA 26-141 A law of the MCN amending NCA 26-127 (a law of the MCN authorizing the transfer of funds from the fund account formerly known as Health Services Fund to other fund accounts and to the Tribal Energy, School Clothing, Tribal Burial Assistance, and for Funeral Assistance Programs’ Budget), adopted 14-0. Rep. Hufft sponsored this legislation.
The changes to the Health Services Fund account were made because the MCN Department of Health has been able to fund its own budget over the past five years. The “Health Services Fund” account has up to $13,179,452. The MCN Council wants to transfer those funds into other accounts and assistance programs.
NCA 26-142 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families Tribal Child Support Enforcement Program Grant for the benefit of the MCN Office of Child Support, adopted 14-0. Rep. Lowe sponsored this legislation.
The MCN Child Support was awarded $2,915,384.88 in grant funds, which will be used to operate the MCN Office of Child Support.
NCA 26-143 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of the 2026 Rural Business Development Grant for the benefit of the Mvskoke Loan Fund, adopted 14-0. Representative James Factor sponsored this legislation.
The Mvskoke Loan Fund received $125,788 from the grant; these funds will be used by the Mvskoke Loan Fund to support small and emerging businesses in rural communities by providing access to loans, as stated in the bill.
NCA 26-145 A law of the MCN amending NCA 13-200 (a law of the MCN approving and authorizing the Principal Chief to execute and file the articles of organization with the Office of Secretary of the Nation to form “Onefire Holdings Company, LLC” under the MCN Limited Liability Company Act and approving the operating agreement for “Onefire Holding Company, LLC”) as amended by NCA 14-080 and NCA 14-178 and NCA 18-121, NCA 20-007, NCA 21-109, NCA 23-095 and NCA 26-052, adopted 8-6. Rep. Lowe sponsored this legislation. Those opposed were Reps. Barnett, Whitecloud, Hufft, Phillips, Whitecloud, and Representative Thomasene Osborn.
The amendment changes in Section Four: seventh to eighth amended operation system, and Section Five: Exemptions/Non-Applicability is deleted in its entirety.
NCA 26-146 A law of the MCN amending MCNCA Title 30, Chapter 3. Entitled “Meetings” of the National Council, failed 7-8. Rep. Tiger sponsored this legislation; Those opposed were Reps. Barnett, Cloud, Hufft, McHenry, Osborn, Phillips, Whitecloud, and Representative Randall Hicks.
All Regular and Quarterly Sessions of the National Council were to commence immediately after the Pre-Agenda Session in the Mound Building; the Regular and Quarterly Sessions were to be scheduled for the last Thursday of each month unless otherwise determined by the National Council. The National Council Pre-Agenda Session would commence at 1 p.m. in the Mound Building.
NCA 26-147 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of the Oklahoma Arts Council grant for the benefit of the MCN Reintegration Program, adopted 14-0. Rep. Proctor sponsored this legislation.
The MCN Reintegration Program was awarded $4,500. These grant funds will be used to provide hands-on workshops that are led by two Mvskoke Artists to teach the general public visual storytelling, identity-based art-making, and cultural expression, as stated in the bill.
To view the full agenda, visit mcnnc.com.
