OKMULGEE, Okla. – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council held a regular session in person on June 21 at the Mound Building.
The MCN National Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 25-035 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a master service agreement with Intertribal, LLC for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Education. Representative Thomasene Yahola Osborn sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 15-0.
The agreement will allow the department of education to use Intertribal’s software, services hardwares, and servers.
TR 25-037 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality Application for Oklahoma Targeted Brownfields Assessment. Representative Robyn Whitecloud sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 15-0.
According to the bill, the Nation has recently acquired property considered to be a Brownfield. The ODEQ has the resources to conduct a Targeted Brownfields Assessment to determine the nature and extent of contaminants that may be present at, on or near the Brownfields. A Targeted Brownfields Assessment needs to be conducted to determine the scope of remedial actions needed before the property is used to serve citizens.
TR 25-038 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute the University of Georgia’s NAGPRA Care and Trust Agreement for the maintenance of physical custody of certain ancestors, associated and unassociated funerary objects, sacred items, and/or other items of cultural patrimony. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 15-0.
The agreement will require the Nation to waive their sovereign rights.
TR 25-039 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-2026 Indian Housing Block Grant. Representative Mark Randolph sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 15-0.
According to the bill, the Nation and Tribal Towns agree it is within their best interests for HUD to use enrollment for each party to receive their own proportional share of the Indian Housing Grant where the Tribal Towns receive funding based on double their enrollment. The Nation will receive the remaining portion.
TR 25-040 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Nation and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (DOE-FECM), Office of Resource Sustainability, for direct benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 15-0.
The Nation is seeking to improve environmental health and safety within its jurisdiction by addressing the issue of orphan wells. The MOU outlines a collaborative framework for the Nation and DOE-FECM to identify the wells, share data, develop community awareness and support local capacity building.
TR 25-041 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a memorandum of agreement and to apply for federal funding through the Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Transportation Bridge Program to fund bridge constructions with Creek County for two (2) bridge replacement projects. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 15-0.
According to the bill, the Nation has identified two bridges in Creek County that are structurally deficient and a hazard to motorists. The two bridges listed are RT 1203-Bridge Number 01410 and RT 1292-Bridge Number 01406. The county will receive and tabulate all responsive bids for the project and will secure all necessary construction easements and utility relocations.
TR 25-042 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a lease agreement for grazing and cooperative land management between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the nature conservancy. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
According to the bill, the Nation will lease 11,000 acres of the Pearl Jackson Crosstimbers Preserve for livestock and land management.
TR 25-043 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief or his designee to execute a contract for utility services with the City of Glenpool for the benefit of the Department of Housing. Representative Charles McHenry sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
According to the bill, the Nation is seeking to receive water utility services for a Nation-owned property at 15608 S. Broadway.
TR 25-044 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a real estate contract for the purchase of property in Elmore County, Alabama. Rep. McHenry sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
According to the bill, the Nation intends expand land use on the property, which is part of Tukabatchee Tribal Town.
TR 25-045 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a grant application to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Program for the benefit of the Mvskoke Loan Fund. Representative Sandra Golden sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
According to the bill, the grant proposes $900,000 in awards for hazard mitigation projects. The Nation will provide a $900,000 match in funding if it is approved.
TR 25-046 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Barry W. Brandon to serve on the public gaming commission. Representative Patrick Freeman sponsored the bill. It was cosponsored by Representative Dode Barnett. The bill was adopted unanimously 15-0.
Brandon’s term will begin upon confirmation and will end on July 31, 2029.
TR 25-047 A tribal resolution of the National Council of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving and authorizing the Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, LLC (“MNGE”) Board of Directors to execute the third amendment to the Aristocrat Master Equipment Lease Agreement. Rep. Hufft sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
According to the bill, the agreement will not exceed three years.
TR 25-048 A tribal resolution of the National Council of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving and authorizing the Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, LLC (“MNGE”) Board of Directors to execute the Aristocrat Minimum Obligation Agreement. Rep. Hufft sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
According to the bill, the agreement will not exceed three years.
TR 25-049 A tribal resolution of the National Council of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving and authorizing the Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, LLC (“MNGE”) Board of Directors to execute the third amendment to the Aristocrat Master Gaming Device Purchase and Lease Agreement. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Hufft, which was adopted unanimously 15-0.
According to the bill, the agreement will not exceed three years.
TR 25-050 A tribal resolution of the National Council of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving and authorizing the Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, LLC (MNGE) Board of Directors to transfer certain real property to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Rep. Hufft sponsored the legislation, which was adopted unanimously 15-0.
According to the bill, the MNGE Board of Directors acquired ownership of real property and has determined it is necessary to transfer it to the Nation.
TR 25-051 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving the Tribal Housing and Urban Development – Veteran’s Affairs Supportive Housing (“HUD VASH”) Renewal and Expansion Grants for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Veterans’ Affairs Services Office. Representative Robert Gouge sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
According to the bill, this program will address the veterans who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness and will provide them with rental subsidies.
TR 25-052 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving the terms of settlement and authorizing the Principal Chief to execute settlement agreement documents to resolve litigation claims against the City of Tulsa and Tulsa City Officials. Rep. Hufft sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 15-0.
Legal action against the city was originally initiated by the National Council on October 28, 2023. It was in response to Tulsa Defendants being prohibited from exercising unlawful jurisdiction over any Native American citizen of a federally recognized tribe for criminal offenses. The lawsuit was filed on November 15, 2023.
The litigation remains pending, however the terms of the settlement would include the Tulsa Defendants agreeing to dismiss all pending prosecution of Native American citizens of federally-recognized tribes and not to initiate future prosecutions. It will also include the referral of tickets and charges to the Nation for prosecution.
TR 25-053 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending TR 18-112 (A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving beer sales at the Checotah Creek Indian Community Smoke Shops) Rep. Cloud sponsored the bill. It was cosponsored by Representative Darrell Proctor. The bill was adopted unanimously, 15-0.
The language in the code will be revised to add “and liquor” when referring to the sale of alcohol at Checotah Creek Indian Community Smoke Shops.
NCA 25-051 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Housing. Representative Charles McHenry sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
The Nation was awarded a $500,000 grant from the FHLBank’s Native American Housing Initiative Grants Program. It will be used to purchase land for multi-year housing development in Glenpool or Bixby.
NCA 25-053 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition for the benefit of the Office of the Secretary of the Nation. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Barnett and was adopted unanimously 15-0.
The Office of the Secretary of the Nation was awarded a $10,000 VITA grant that will allow them to purchase server HDDs, memory expansion, and office supplies for the MCN Voluntary Income Tax Assistance Program.
NCA 25-054 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending Title 14, entitled “Crimes and Punishments”. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Barnett and was adopted unanimously 15-0.
A subsection M was added to section three to update the definition of “Tribal Justice Personnel”. A subsection C in section four was updated to define the crime of Assault of Tribal Justice Personnel. A subsection H was also updated to define the crime of aggravated battery. Section five updated the crime of obstruction of justice.
NCA 25-055 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending Title 14, § 2-344, entitled “Forfeitures”. Rep. Barnett sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
The bill revises code referring to forfeited property used in unlawful activity on the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation. Title 14, § 2-344 A. specifically updates the word “chapter” to the laws of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation”. It also adds “terms of probation” in reference to the addition of time for crimes that result in a forfeiture of property. Section B. has been revised to replace “chapter” with “the laws of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.”
NCA 25-056 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a budget modification in excess of ten percent (10%) for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Realty/Trust Department for FY 2025 Budget. Rep. Cloud sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
According to the bill, the MCN Realty/Trust Department is making this budget modification request to reallocate certain funds for other necessary expenses for supplies, a survey, contractual fees, filing fees, abstracts and equipment maintenance and repair line items.
NCA 25-057 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving the FY 2026 Indian Housing Plan. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
According to the bill, the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act Indian Housing Block Grant requires a tribal-approved Indian Housing Plan to be submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for approval of compliance at least seventy five days prior to the end of the Nation’s fiscal year.
To view the full agenda, visit www.mcnnc.com.
