OKMULGEE, Okla. – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council held a regular session in person on Nov. 16 at the Mound Building.
The MCN National Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 24-139 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Ramona Roberts to serve on the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Election Board. Representative Joyce C. Deere sponsored the legislation. The bill was adopted 13-1, Representative Anna Marshall opposed it.
Roberts will serve in Position 2, her term will expire on May 31, 2028.
TR 24-140 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a master service agreement with Coxcom, LLC for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health. Representative Mary Crawford sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
The agreement will allow MCNDH to consolidate and standardize existing and future service agreements with Cox.
TR 24-141 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to execute a force main sewer line right-of-way agreement with the City of Muskogee associated with tribally-owned fee property in the County of Muskogee, within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
According to the legislation, the property is located in the NW of Section 13, Township 15 North, Range 18 East. The agreement will come at no cost to the Nation, and will last for 20 years.
TR 24-142 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to execute a real estate contract for the purchase of property in Hughes County, Oklahoma. Rep. Cloud sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
According to the bill, the Nation intends to utilize the property for the use of Salt Creek Indian Baptist Church.
TR 24-143 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to execute a certain intergovernmental detention agreement with the Board of County Commissioners of Creek County to hold criminal defendants at the Creek County Justice Center in Creek County, City of Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Representative Robert Hufft sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
According to the bill, the Nation will pay $55 per criminal defendant housed at the justice center. The agreement will be governed and construed according to Oklahoma law and the venue and jurisdiction for enforcement will be exclusive to the state and federal courts located within Creek County.
TR 24-144 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to execute a certain intergovernmental detention agreement with the Board of County Commissioners of Okfuskee County to hold criminal defendants at the Okfuskee County Jail in Okfuskee County, City of Okemah, Oklahoma. Rep. Hufft sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
According to the bill, the Nation will pay $41.67 per criminal defendant housed at the Okfuskee County Jail. The agreement will be governed and construed according to Oklahoma law and the venue and jurisdiction for enforcement will be exclusive to the state and federal courts located within Okfuskee County.
TR 24-145 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to execute temporary operating permits with Red Tail Fireworks L.L.C. on behalf of the Glenpool Creek Indian Community for the operation of one temporary fireworks sales facility. Representative Leonard Gouge sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
Red Tail Fireworks requested to use property located at the Glenpool Creek Indian Community for 21 days. The company will pay $5,000 per season for authorized leasing for three seasons from 2025 through 2027. Muscogee (Creek) citizens will have access to a 10% discount on firework sales from Red Tail Fireworks.
NCA 24-129 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fiscal relief funding for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Mvskoke Language Revitalization Program to create a guided language learning application with Languages 4. Representative Charles McHenry sponsored the bill, which was postponed unanimously 14-0.
If adopted into law, the $1,995,000 bill will cover the total development costs of the language application. This includes two to three years of development and 15 years of service and licensing. The application would be available on mobile devices and desktop platforms. It would cover Mvskoke levels 0-6 for adults and levels 0-4 for children.
NCA 24-151 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation appropriating funds for the Alternative Housing Program FY 2025 Budget. Representative Mark Randolph sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 14-0.
The $2,461,580 bill will help citizens with homes that are not repairable or present health and safety concerns.
NCA 24-155 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the United States Department of Agriculture and appropriating a tribal match for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Food Distribution Program. Representative Marshall sponsored the legislation, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
The $409,213 grant will receive a tribal match of $81,843. Funds will be used to provide income-eligible Native American households within the reservation with food and administrative funds for the program.
NCA 24-156 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Social Services Program. Rep. Gouge sponsored the legislation, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
The $308,761 from the program will be used to provide cooling, heating and crisis funds.
NCA 24-157 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families for the benefit of the Children and Family Services Administration. Rep. Gouge sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
The $368,500 in grant funds will be used to “protect and promote the welfare of all children”. This includes preventing neglect, abuse, exploitation and supporting at-risk families through services.
NCA 24-158 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families for the benefit of the Children and Family Services Administration. Rep. Gouge sponsored the legislation, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
The $480,000 funds from the program will be used to operate integrated, preventative family preservation services and community-based family support services for families in crisis.
NCA 24-159 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Department of Health and Human Services Administration For Children and Families for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Office of Child Care. Rep. Crawford sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
The $6,974,270 funds will be used for administrative day-to-day costs for activities and services to childcare providers and families.
NCA 24-160 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fiscal Relief Funding to purchase radio equipment for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Emergency Management and Emergency Medical Services Departments. Representative Thomasene Yahola Osborn sponsored, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
The $172,338 in funds from the legislation will provide 24 radios, four charging stations and four XL-200 mobile radios from L3 Harris.
NCA 24-161 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation appropriating funds to be used toward the purchase of property located in Hughes County, Oklahoma. Rep. Cloud sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 14-0.
The property’s asking price is $25,000. An additional $20,000 will be needed to cover incidental costs.
NCA 24-162 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the National Park Service Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) Grant for the benefit of the Historic and Cultural Preservation Department. Rep. Cloud sponsored the bill, which was returned to committee 9-5. Rep. Cloud, Rep. Gouge, Representative Nelson Harjo Sr, Rep. Hufft and Representative Proctor opposed the bill’s return to committee.
If adopted into law, the $97,491 bill will be used to “ensure the protection and preservation of valued Mvskoke historic and cultural resources, including sacred spaces, cultural sites, cultural remains, and Mvskoke history for future generations.”
NCA 24-163 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of the Interior for the benefit of the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Representative Whitecloud sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
The $199,785 grant will be used to “manage, understand and better regulate the fisheries within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation”.
NCA 24-165 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 5, Chapter 2, entitled “Financial Assistance”. Rep. Randolph sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
The legislation makes language changes to how Land, Natural Resources & Cultural Preservation Committee members receive requests for renovations or construction funds for ceremonial grounds.
NCA 24-166 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fiscal Relief Funding from the United States Department of Treasury for the benefit of the Security on the tribal complex. Representative Dode Barnett sponsored the bill, which was adopted 12-2. Representative Sandra Golden and Rep. Marshall opposed the bill.
The $982,839 used from ARPA funds will be used for “capital and asset security as a result of increased governmental jurisdiction, responsibility and public engagement.”
To view the full agenda, visit: mcnnc.com.
