OKMULGEE, Okla. – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council held a regular session in person on Nov. 7.
The Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 23-113 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation (MCN) authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a project of agreement between The Board of Trustees of Western Michigan University and the MCN. Representative Mary Crawford sponsored this bill, which was adopted 14-0.
Western Michigan University created a service that will be cost-effective for the MCN WIC Program. This will provide the federal nutrition education requirement, according to the bill.
TR 23-114 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a license purchase master customer agreement with HealthChoice for the benefit of the MCN Department of Health. Rep. Crawford sponsored this bill, which was adopted 14-0.
MCN Department of Health is held responsible for the medical care for Muscogee (Creek) Nation citizens. MCNDH wants to hold a contract with HealthChoice. HealthChoice is a health care program that provides health and dental benefits toward Oklahoma state employees and former employees.
TR 23-115 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a grant of permanent easement to establish a reinterment cemetery in the ancestral lands of the MCN. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored this bill, which was adopted 14-0.
An owner of one of the ancestral homeland sites in Alabama has agreed to grant the Nation permission to establish a reinterment cemetery. The Nation has to execute a Grant of Permanent Easement with the landowner. This will allow human remains as well as associated and unassociated funerary objects from MCN and other tribes to be interned. The MCN Department of Cultural and Humanities will take full responsibility for the remains and objects, according to the bill.
TR 23-116 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a MCN Department of Housing contract with Jeffrey and Ramona Gormly. Representative Nelson Harjo Sr. sponsored this bill, which was adopted 14-0.
Jeffrey and Ramona Gormly are purchasing a five bedroom home. The MCN Department of Housing has requested a contract of $270,000 from the NAHASDA funds.
TR 23-117 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a contract of accepting a donation of land located in Hughes county, Oklahoma. Rep. Cloud sponsored this bill, which was adopted 14-0.
MCN received a donation of land located in Wetumka. This has three lots with approximately 10,500 square feet. This will help expand the community’s functions.
TR 23-118 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a contract accepting a donation of land located in Hughes county, Oklahoma. Rep. Cloud sponsored this bill, which was adopted 14-0.
MCN received a donation of land located in Wetumka. It is lot five, block seven in the Mingo Addition, according to the recorded plat thereof. This will provide community functions in the future.
TR 23-119 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a real estate contract for the purchase of property in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Rep. Harjo sponsored this bill, which was adopted 14-0.
The Nation received an opportunity to purchase a property in Okmulgee, which is off of Highway 75.
TR 23-120 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a terms, conditions and warranty information agreement with transcend robotics for the Lighthorse Police Department. Representative Randall Hicks sponsored this bill, which was adopted 14-0.
A grant was awarded to the MCN Lighthorse Police Department to finalize the purchase of the robot. MCN must have the “Terms, Conditions and Warranty Information Agreement with Transcend Robotics” to receive the product, according to the bill.
TR 23-121 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a real estate contract for the purchase of property in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Rep. Cloud sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
MCN received an opportunity to purchase a property in Muskogee County. It will serve as a new MCN Lighthorse Police Department office.
TR 23-122 A tribal resolution of the MCN amending TR 23-112 (a tribal resolution of the MCN supporting the nomination of Sandra Golden to serve as the recording Secretary of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Administrative Board). Speaker William Lowe sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
The MCN is giving their support for Representative Sandra Golden for the position of Recording Secretary and for MCN Principal Chief David Hill to serve as the First Vice President of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Administrative Board.
NCA 23-133 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 Office of Child Care. Representative Leonard Gouge sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
MCN Office of Child Care received funds in the amount of $1,435,103, this grant will help with the administrative costs for their daily activities and direct services to childcare providers and families.
NCA 23-134 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 children and family services administration. Rep. Crawford sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
Funds in the amount of $250,000 was awarded to the Children and Family Services Administration from FY 2024. This will help protect and promote the wellbeing of children from any neglect, abuse or exploitation..
NCA 23-135 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 children and family services administration. Rep. Crawford sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
This grant was based on a match from the Children and Family Services Administration Tribal Budget. This will help with family preservation services and families that are at risk or in crisis.
NCA 23-136 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the benefit of the Geospatial Department. Representative Joseph Hicks sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
The Geospatial Department was awarded $418,031 from the grant funds. This will give the department the ability to hire two additional staff members.
NCA 23-137 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the benefit of the Geospatial Department. Rep. Cloud sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
The MCN Geospatial Department was awarded $90,000 from the grant funds. This amount will help the department continue reviewing future or current projects within the environment and tribal environmental codes.
NCA 23-138 A law of the MCN appropriating funds to be used for transactional costs related to accepting donated real property located in Hughes County, Oklahoma. Rep. Cloud sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
A property in Hughes County was donated to the MCN. The funds will cover the costs that are associated with this property. According to the bill it will cover the title insurance, title opinions, surveys, environmental studies and applicable taxes.
NCA 23-139 A law of the MCN appropriating funds to be used for transactional costs related to accepting donated real property located in Hughes County, Oklahoma. Rep. Cloud sponsored this bill, which was adopted 14-0.
$20,000 has been received from the Economic Development and Land Acquisition Fund account, this will cover all of the costs that are needed within the property.
NCA 23-140 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds received from the United States Department of the Treasury for the purchase of property located in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. Rep. Harjo sponsored this bill, which was adopted 14-1.
The owner of the property asked for $1,700,000. ARPA funding will cover the expense.
NCA 23-141 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of ARPA Fiscal Relief Funding received from the United States Department of the Treasury for matching funds in the collaboration with the state of Oklahoma for the ARPA Tribal Cooperation Grant Program. Rep. Joseph Hicks sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
This grant expends $6,750,000 of funds from the Tribal Cooperation Grant program. It will be used for response efforts. This includes public health emergencies or their negative economic impacts. This bill will match these funds in collaboration with the state of Oklahoma for the ARPA grant.
NCA 23-142 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of grants funds awarded from the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services Fiscal Year 2024 Indian Highway Safety Program Grant Award for the benefit of the MCN’s Lighthorse Police Department. Representative Thomasene Yahola Osborn sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
The MCN Lighthorse Police Department received an award of $373,070 from the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services FY 2024 Indian Highway Safety Program Grant. These funds will be disbursed for the hiring, vehicles, radars, training and renting a billboard, according to the bill.
NCA 23-143 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs 2023 Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant for the benefit of the MCN Lighthorse Police Department. Representative Mark Randolph sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
This grant will provide funds in the amount of $478.42. They will be used for one bulletproof vest.
NCA 23-144 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of ARPA fiscal relief funding from the United States Department of Treasury for the benefit of security on the tribal complex. Rep. Osborn sponsored this bill, which was adopted 14-1.
The MCN Executive Office and its governmental agencies have requested ARPA Revenue Replacement funds be used for capital and asset security.
NCA 23-146 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of funds for the benefit of the MCN’s Lighthorse Police Department for the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Justice & Security Strategies, Inc. supporting small, rural, and tribal law enforcement agency body-worn camera policy and Implementation Program Grant. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
The MCN Lighthorse Department received an award of $29,494.97 from the grant, this will be authorized for the usage of the funds from the program grant.
NCA 23-147 A law of the MCN appropriating funds for the 2024 Inauguration ceremonies. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored this bill, which was adopted 14-1.
The inauguration ceremonies will include swearing in the newly elected Principal Chief, Second Chief and the National Council Representatives of the Nation. The total amount of the appropriated funds will be $100,000.
NCA 23-149 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of ARPA funds received from the United States Department of the Treasury for the purchase of property located in Muskogee County, Oklahoma. Rep. Cloud sponsored this bill, which was adopted 14-1.
According to the bill, the McGirt v. Oklahoma (2020) case has increased criminal jurisdiction and legal obligations. For this, the Nation is going to purchase a real property to add to the MCN Lighthorse Police footprint and create an eastern division of the Nation’s justice service.
NCA 23-150 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of the ARPA fiscal recovery fund for the benefit of the tribal utility authority to conduct energy resource planning and related activities. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored this bill, which was adopted 14-1.
The MCN Economic Development and Land Acquisition Fund account will be given $20,000 to accept a donation of property located in Hughes County, Oklahoma. These funds will go toward the costs of purchasing the land.
NCA 23-151 A law of the MCN amending NCA 23-053 (A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of the ARPA fiscal recovery funding for the benefit of children and family services administration). Speaker Lowe sponsored this bill, which was adopted 14-1.
An incentive will be given to up to 400 foster care and kinship homes who are certified and accepted into placement of foster youth. This is provided by the U.S. Treasury for the Foster Care and Kinship Home Recruitment and Retention Program.
To view the full agenda, visit: mcnnc.com.
