Liz Gray/Managing Editor
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council held an Emergency Session Nov. 4 via teleconference.
During the meeting the following legislation was addressed, an interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
NCA 21-114 Amending MCNCA Title 19 entitled “General elections,” “Dissemination of information,” “Appearance of candidate’s name,” “Absentee ballot affidavit,” “Time for issuing lists or certificates,” “Lighthorseman to provide security for ballot boxes,” Times for filing contest or recount,” Petition for fraud or irregularities,” “Request for absentee ballot,” “Transmittal of ballot to voter,” “Return of ballots,” “Handing of returned absentee ballot,” “Examination of signatures; removal of outer envelope” and “Counting procedures.” The legislation was returned as a Veto on Oct. 29 from Principal Chief David Hill, which was voted to stand 14-0.
The veto message stated its objections to the bill was the General Election date being set to Dec. 11, 2021 along with enacting several drastic amendments to the Election Code, absentee ballot collection, and counting procedure in the middle of an ongoing election.
On Oct. 25, Chief Hill signed NCA 21-116, which extends the General Election one week to Nov. 13. He stated the legislation is a more sensible approach to the ongoing problems with slow delivery of ballots by the U.S. Postal Service.
TR 21-157 Confirming the nomination of Shannon Prescott to serve as the Chief Judge of the District Trial Court of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Rep. Mark Randolph sponsored the resolution, which failed 5-9 with Reps. Lucian Tiger III, Mary Crawford, Joyce Deere, Joe Hicks, Robert Hufft, Adam Jones, Anna Marshall and Darrell Proctor voting no.
MCN laws require the appointment of a Chief Judge by the Principal Chief with confirmation by the National Council.
Principal Chief has nominated Shannon Prescott to serve upon confirmation as the Chief Judge for the MCN District Court until Dec. 31, 2027.
NCA 21-130 Amending MCNCA Title 19 entitled “Compensation of inspectors, judges, clerks and precinct workers.” Rep. Darrell Proctor sponsored the legislation, which passed 13-1 with Rep. Anna Marshall voting no.
The amendment would add “Tribal employees shall be eligible to be inspectors, judges, clerks and precinct workers, but shall only be eligible for flex time for the number of hours worked. Tribal employees shall not be paid a stipend,” to subsection 2-117 of MCNCA Title 19.
NCA 21-131 Appropriating incentive funds to MCN tribal employees for Fiscal Year 2022. Rep. Lucian Tiger III sponsored the legislation, which passed 14-0.
MCN is interested in providing incentives to MCN full-time and part-time employees.
The incentives will be given to full-time and part-time employees that are off probation as of Oct. 1, 2021. Full-time employees will receive $500 and part-time employees will receive $250.
NCA 21-132 Authorizing the expenditure of the Coronavirus Relief Funding for COVID-19 related funding. Rep. Robert Hufft sponsored the legislation, which passed 14-0.
There are current COVID-19 projects and activities that require additional or new funding to complete. Authorization from the Council is required in order to expend the Coronavirus Relief Funding.
Rep. James Jennings was excused from the meeting.
