OKMULGEE – The Muscogee (Creek) National Council held a quarterly session via teleconference and in person at the Mound Building on Saturday, April 25.
The MCNC addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
NCR 26-002 A resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) National Council declaring a vote of no confidence in certain justices of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Supreme Court. Representative Lucian Tiger sponsored the bill. It was cosponsored by Representatives Mary Crawford, Sandra Golden, William Lowe, Anna Marshall, and Darrell Proctor. The bill was adopted into law by a vote of 13-1-1. Representative Dode Barnett voted no; Representative Robyn Whitecloud abstained.
The resolution states that Chief Justice Andrew Adams, Vice-Chief Justice Richard Lerblance, Justice Montie Deer, Justice Kathleen Supernaw, and Justice George Thompson Jr. violated their oath of office by “independently amending the 1979 Constitution by striking ‘BY BLOOD’ without an affirmative vote of the people.”
TR 26-021 A tribal Resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Cecelia Wittman to serve on the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Citizenship Board. Rep. Proctor sponsored the bill, which was adopted into law by a vote of 15-0.
According to the law, Wittman’s term will expire on Saturday, May 31, 2031. There was no discussion.
TR 26-022 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to execute a terms of service agreement with Winegard Company for Starlink equipment and services. Rep. Proctor sponsored the bill, which was adopted into law by a vote of 15-0.
According to the law, the contract allows MCN Emergency Management to use its products and services at the Horseshoe Bend event. There was no discussion on this law.
TR 26-023 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to execute a memorandum of agreement with the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Oklahoma Archaeological Survey, and the Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office for the removal of the bridge on Oak Drive over Freed Creek, Tulsa County, Oklahoma. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored the bill, which was adopted into law by a vote of 15-0.
According to the law, Riverline in South Tulsa contains a bridge that needs to be removed; it is eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. A memorandum of agreement will be required to remove the bridge in compliance with federal law. There was no discussion.
TR 26-024 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Christopher Combs to serve on the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Public Gaming Commission. Rep. Hufft sponsored the bill, which was adopted into law by a vote of 15-0.
According to the law, Combs’ term will expire on Sunday, June 30, 2030. There was no discussion on this law.
TR 26-025 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to execute a real estate contract for the purchase of property in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored the bill, which was adopted into law by a vote of 15-0.
According to the law, the property is located at 4201 N. Wood Dr. There was no discussion on this law.
TR 26-026 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing litigation to be brought on behalf of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Housing to remove a fence encroaching on real property owned by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Housing in Wagoner County, Oklahoma. Rep. Factor sponsored the bill, which was adopted into law by a vote of 15-0.
According to the law, a neighbor to the resident installed a privacy fence on the property. After a boundary survey was conducted, it was found that the fence was encroaching on the Nation’s property approximately 12 feet by 70 feet. The law also references a chain link fence on the property that may be encroaching on the Nation’s land. The property is located within the exterior boundaries of the Cherokee Nation. A lawsuit will be necessary and will be filed in the Tribal Court of the Cherokee Nation or in the appropriate Oklahoma court. There was no discussion.
NCA 26-058 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation appropriating funds to be used toward the purchase of property located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored the bill, which was adopted into law by a vote of 15-0.
According to the law, the property will cost $475,000 to cover title insurance, title opinions, surveys, environmental studies, and applicable taxes. There was no discussion.
NCA 26-059 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 5, § 2-115 entitled “Funding”. Rep. Cloud sponsored the bill, which failed to become law by a vote of 3-12. Reps. Cloud, Osborn, and Whitecloud voted in favor of the bill.
Rep. Barnett made a motion to reconsider the bill. She explained that the grounds and churches have immediate financial needs that need to be addressed. The vote to reconsider failed to be adopted into law, 7-8.
To view the full agenda, visit mcnnc.com.
