OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – A Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council Business, Finance and Justice Committee meeting was held February 17 via teleconference.
All passed legislation is subject to the full council approval during the regular session.
BFJ addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
NCR 22-001 Approving the Legal Services Agreement between the MCN National Council and Fletcher Law, PLLC. Representative William Lowe sponsored the legislation, which postponed indefinitely 4-0.
The National Council required independent legal counsel for various duties separate from the duties of the Attorney General and the Department of Justice.
TR 22-033 Confirming the nomination of Kathleen Supernaw to serve as a Supreme Court Justice of the MCN. Rep. Mark Randolph sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
Principal Chief nominated Kathleen Supernaw to serve a six-year term as a Supreme Court Justice of the MCN.
Supernaw will be interviewed at Pre-Agenda Feb. 26.
TR 22-034 Authorizing the MCN Controller to sell security investments. Rep. Randolph sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Trust Funds Administration (BTFA) must meet the requirement of the Trust Reform Act before the sale of a government bond can be processed with a resolution.
In compliance with the Trust Reform Act and 25 C.F.R. when the Muscogee (Creek) Nation wishes to sell a security investment, it must state in writing to the local BTFA. The Nation’s Controller shall provide a written request to the Fiduciary Trust Officer at the local BTFA.
TR 22- 035 Nominating Lisa Otipoby-Herbert to serve as a District Trial Court Judge of the Criminal District Trial Court Law Division of the MCN. Rep. Randolph sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
Principal Chief nominated Lisa Otipoby-Herbert to serve as a District Trial Court Judge of the Criminal District Trial Courts.
Otipoby-Herbert will be interviewed at Pre-Agenda Feb. 26.
NCA 22-012 Authorizing the expenditure of the Walton Family Foundation grant for the benefit of Mvskoke Media. Rep. Thomasene Yahola-Osborn sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
Mvskoke Media was awarded the Walton Family Foundation Grant ($8,500.00). The grant funds will be used to purchase supplies for two (2) reporters to conduct interviews, recordings, and capture news events while in the field. Authorization from the National Council is required to expend grant funds necessary to administer the Walton Family Foundation Grant.
NCA 22-103 Authorizing the acceptance and expenditure of grant funds from the Office on Violence Against Women for the 2022 OVW Fiscal Year 2022 Support for Tribes Exercising Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction Initiative for the benefit of the MCN Office of the Attorney General. Rep. Thomasene Yahola-Osborn sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
The MCN Office of the Attorney General was awarded grant funds from the United States Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women for the 2022 OVW Fiscal year 2022 Support for Tribes Exercising Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction ($250,000.00).
NCA 22-015 Amending MCNCA Title 37, 3-505, entitled “Employee at will doctrine not impliedly abolished.” Rep. Leonard Gouge sponsored the legislation, which was postponed for one month at the request of the sponsor with a vote of 4-0.
Plans to amend the Employee at-will doctrine has been postponed for one month.
NCA 22-016 Amending MCNCA Title 37, 1-101, entitled “Official Muscogee (Creek) Nation flag and Great Seal design.” Rep. Darrell Proctor sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
All government related business should use the original name and logo and any marketing can use the new logo and revised name.
NCA 22-017 Amending NCA 21-156 (Approving and authorizing the Principal Chief to execute and file articles of organization with the Office of the Secretary of the Nation to form “Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, LLC” Under the MCN Limited Liability Company Act and Approving the Operating Agreement for “Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, LLC). Rep. Yahola-Osborn sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
MCN finds its best interest to organize a tribal gaming limited liability company wholly owned by the Nation, as an instrumentality of the Nation, created for the purpose of operating and managing gaming in furtherance of the governmental objectives of the Nation for the advancement of its members.
All referred legislation (NCA 22-009, NCA 22-011) was passed for funding source.
Other business included Gaming Operations Authority Board, which the committee decided to go in to Executive Session.
The meeting can be viewed at: www.mcnnc.com.
