MVSKOKE RESERVATION- On May 7, the Land, Natural Resources, and Cultural Preservation Committee held an in-person meeting. Passed legislation will go on to a full council meeting, unless otherwise noted.
The committee addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
Grants & Emergency Assistance
Pecan Grove Methodist Church will receive a Muscogee (Creek) Nation Emergency Assistance Grant in the amount of $2,505. The funds will go towards replacing a pressure pump and updating the water well service.
Butler Creek Baptist Church will receive a Muscogee (Creek) Traditional Church and Ceremonial Ground Grant in the amount of $6,480. The funds will go towards replacing a barbed wire fence with a chain length fence.
United Methodist Church Will receive a Muscogee (Creek) Traditional Church and Ceremonial Ground Grant in the amount of $50,306.33. The funds will go towards replacing and updating the roof, siding, and electric service.
TR 24-057 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a memorandum of understanding between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Alabama Quassarte Tribal Town, Kialegee Tribal Town, and Thlopthlocco Tribal Town for the method of allocation for the Nation’s proportional share of funding for housing and urban development funds and the FY 2025 Indian Housing Block Grant passed with a vote of 4-0. It was sponsored by Representative Mark Randolph.
According to the language in the resolution, the Nation and Tribal Towns agree Tribal Towns have received double funding in the past based on their enrollment, with the Nation receiving the remaining portion of funds. During committee discussion, Secretary of Housing Little Snow Fields shared that this is an annual request continuously approved.
TR 24-058 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to apply for federal funding through the Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Transportation Bridge Program to fund eight replacement bridges within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation passed with a vote of 4-0. It was sponsored by Representative Galen Cloud.
During committee discussion, MCN Federal Roads Manager David Ford related the total timeline from grant application to receiving the funds is 8-12 months.
NCA 24-068 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Office of Safety, FY 2023 Safe Streets and Roads For All grant program in the amount of $462,400 for the benefit of federal roads passed with a vote of 4-0. It was sponsored by Representative Charles McHenry.
During committee discussion, Ford stated the grant was applied and received in 2023. The term for the grant is two to three years and the project is estimated to be finished within 12 months.
To view the full agenda, visit mcnnc.com.
