OKMULKE, Oklv. – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s National Council held their regular session at the Mound Building on May 18.
The council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 24-002 A Tribal Resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute an Engagement Letter for Legal Services between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tax Commission and Pipestem Law, P.C was adopted. The law was sponsored by Representative Sandra Golden of the Okfuskee District. It was adopted by the National Council with a vote of 13-1.
The MCN Tax Commission will be working with the law firm Pipestem Law, P.C, a law firm based in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the future.
TR 24-055 A Tribal Resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a memorandum of agreement with the Indian Health Service for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health. The law was sponsored by Representative Thomasene Yahola Osborn of the Tukvpvtce District. It was adopted by the National Council with a unanimous vote of 14-0.
The MCN will begin working with the Indian Health Service to improve the MCN’s Department of Health by providing effective deployment of a diabetic imaging acquisition station.
TR 24-056 A Tribal Resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a telemedicine provider credentialing and privileging agreement with the Indian Health Service for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health was approved. The resolution was sponsored by Rep. Osborn. It was adopted by the National Council with a unanimous vote of 14-0.
The MCN will begin working with the Indian Health Service to improve the MCN Department of Health’s telemedicine capabilities for patients located off site.
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 (HUD) funds and the FY-2025 Indian Housing Block Grant was approved. The resolution was sponsored by Representative Mark Randolph of the Wagoner/Roger/Mayes District. It was adopted by the National Council with a vote of 13-1.
According to the bill, if the aforementioned Tribal Towns and the Nation can not agree on a method of allocation for their proportional share of housing needs, HUD will choose the method.
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 (8) replacement bridges within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation was approved. The resolution was sponsored by Representative Galen Cloud of the McIntosh District. It was adopted by the National Council with a unanimous vote of 14-0.
According to the bill, the agreement will complete design and environmental assessment projects and complete needed roadway and bridge construction projects across the Mvskoke reservation.
TR 24-059 A Tribal Resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Dr. Michael Hughes to serve on the Muscogee International, LLC (MI, LLC) Board of Directors was adopted. The resolution was sponsored by Representative Dode Barnett of the Creek District. It was adopted by the National Council with a vote of 13-1.
Dr. Michael’s term will begin upon confirmation and will end on May 31, 2027.
TR 24-060 A Tribal Resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Bert Robison to serve on the Muscogee International, LLC (MI, LLC) Board of Directors was adopted. The resolution was sponsored by Rep. Barnett of the Creek District. It was adopted by the National Council with a unanimous vote of 14-0.
Robison’s term will begin upon confirmation and will end on May 31, 2027.
NCA 24-033 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation appropriating funds in the amount of $1,533.54, to the Tribal Construction Department. The law was sponsored by Rep. Golden. It failed with a vote of 2-12.
According to the bill it would have provided assistance to an Mvskoke elder who needed to repair an electrical system, but was unable to due to health and safety reasons.
NCA 24-066 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a supplemental appropriation for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Citizenship Office in the amount of $78,900 for Fiscal Year 2024. The law was sponsored by Representative Leonard Gouge of the Tulsa District. It was adopted by the National Council with a vote of 13-1.
According to the bill, the financial appropriation will provide supplies and software line items.
NCA 24-067 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending Title 7, entitled “Citizenship/Census Tvsekvyv/Ahonkvtkepe” was adopted. The law was sponsored by Representative Anna Marshall of the Tukvpvtce District. It was adopted by the National Council with a unanimous vote of 14-0.
Language in the bill has been revised, including “affirmation of enrollment”, “Declaration of Citizenship”, and the penalties for citizens that are dually enrolled in another Indian Nation tribe. The language “member” has also been revised to “citizen” regarding individuals within the MCN.
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, Fiscal Year 2023 Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program, in the amount of $462,400.00, for the benefit of federal roads was adopted. The law was sponsored by Representative Charles McHenry of the Wagoner/Roger/Mayes District. It was adopted with a unanimous vote of 14-0.
According to the bill, the grant was awarded to prepare a safety action plan for the Nation.
NCA 24-069 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the United States Department of the Treasury’s Fiscal Year 2024 Small Dollar Loan Program grant in the amount of $258,676 for the benefit of the Mvskoke Loan Fund was adopted. The law was sponsored by Representative Nelson Harjo Sr. of the Okmulgee District. It was adopted by the National Council with a unanimous vote of 14-0.
The passage of this law will allow the Mvskoke Fund CDFI to continue to provide various services to Muscogee citizens and businesses.
NCA 24-070 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fiscal Relief Funding received from the United States Department of the Treasury, in the amount of $2,215,887, for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Office of the Treasury and the Office of the Secretary of the Nation to assist with the ongoing management, reporting, and implementation of American Rescue Plan Act Funding passed. The law was sponsored by Rep. Barnett. It was adopted by the National Council with a vote of 12-2.
This law will allow the MCN Office of the Controller to cover contractual and administrative costs associated with reporting and the annual single audit.
NCA 24-072 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation appropriating funds in the amount of $60,000 for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Marker Project within the State of Florida was adopted. The law was sponsored by Representative Darrell Proctor of McIntosh District. According to Patricia Kilian, the funding source will be the Interest on Permanent Fund. It was adopted by the National Council with a vote of 12-2.
The funds will be used for historical markers that will mark the Mvskoke homelands in present-day north Florida.
NCA 24-073 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation creating a new law in MCNCA Title 30 Chapter 2, entitled “Legislative Districts” was proposed. It proposed to rename the Tulsa District boundary jurisdiction to Tvlse District. The law was sponsored by Rep. Gouge and co-sponsored by Representative Robert Hufft, both of the Tulsa District. It was adopted by the National Council with a unanimous vote of 14-0.
According to the bill, the purpose of the name change is to incorporate the Muscogee language. It will not change county boundaries or names for the State of Oklahoma.
To view the full agenda, visit: mcnnc.com.
