MVSKOKE RESERVATION – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council held a regular session in person on Aug. 24 at the Mound Building.
The MCN National Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 24-092 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation declaring the month of September as “Indian Boarding School Survivors, A Month of Remembrance”. Representative Anna Marshall sponsored the bill, Representative Patrick Freeman Jr. was added as co-sponsor. The bill was adopted unanimously, 12-0.
The month of remembrance will properly recognize the history of Indian Boarding Schools (IBS) and the effects of the atrocities that are still seen today through intergenerational trauma. The month will celebrate the survivors with programs, reunions, ceremonies and activities. There was no discussion on this piece of legislation.
TR 24-098 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Bureau of Indian Affairs, on behalf of the Nation, to execute a Utility Right-of-Way Agreement with Oklahoma Gas & Electric; said Right-of-Way Agreement associated with the construction of a project in McIntosh County. Representative Darrell Proctor sponsored the bill, Representative Galen Cloud co-sponsored it. The bill was adopted unanimously, 12-0.
The property mentioned in the bill is located in McIntosh County and will require utility service installation, which requires a utility right-of-way agreement. There was no discussion on this piece of legislation.
TR 24-099 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the construction of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Three Ponds Subdivision Roads for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Housing. Representative Robyn Whitecloud sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 12-0.
According to the legislation, the Nation will prepare the plans, specifications and the engineer’s estimate package (PSE). The Nation will advertise for construction bids, receive and tabulate all responsive bids and award a contract for construction of the project. The estimated cost of the project is $3,942,800. There was no discussion on this piece of legislation.
TR 24-100 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving updates to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Conservation Regulations and Fee Schedule. Rep. Cloud sponsored the legislation, which was adopted unanimously 12-0.
The new reciprocity agreement was initially made with Cherokee Nation, Chickasaw Nation, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma on July 12. There was no discussion on this piece of legislation.
TR 24-102 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 the County of Muskogee to hold criminal defendants at the Muskogee County Jail in Muskogee County, City of Muskogee, Oklahoma. Representative Sandra Golden sponsored the legislation, which was adopted unanimously 12-0.
The agreement will allow the Nation to pay for detention for federally-recognized citizens and certain non-Indians who have committed crimes on the MCN Reservation. The rate will consist of $64 per day. There was no discussion on this piece of legislation.
TR 24-103 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the construction of a Muscogee (Creek) Nation Walking Trail located at the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Okemah Health Center. Speaker Randall Hicks sponsored the legislation, Rep. Golden co-sponsored it. The legislation was adopted unanimously, 12-0.
According to the bill, the trail will be located west of the center and will be constructed by the MCN Department of Transportation Road Force Crew. The estimated cost of the project is $3,500. There was no discussion on this piece of legislation.
TR 24-104 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending TR 19-076 (A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to suspend all special appropriations and donations) as amended by TRS 20-150, 21-080, 22-128, 22-143, 22-150, 22-155, 22-170, 23-045, 23-066, 23-096, 24-005 and 24-095. Representative Mark Randolph sponsored the bill, which was unanimously postponed 12-0.
If adopted, the amendment will include a one-time donation to the ZOhaya Nation. Rep. Randolph made the motion to postpone the bill until the next regular session. There was no discussion on this piece of legislation.
TR 24-105 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Alyssa Campbell to serve as a District Court Judge for the criminal law division of the District Trial Court of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Representative Robert Hufft sponsored the bill. The bill was adopted 11-0-1, Rep. Freeman abstained from voting.
Campbell’s term will last until December 31, 2028. There was no discussion on this piece of legislation.
TR 24-106 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a sponsorship agreement with the Tulsa County Public Facilities authority to sponsor the Tulsa State Fair. Representative Randall Hicks sponsored the legislation, which was adopted unanimously 12-0.
The Tulsa State Fair is set for Sept. 26-Oct. 6. There was no discussion on this piece of legislation.
NCA 24-090 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Education for the benefit of the Eufaula Dormitory. Rep. Marshall sponsored the legislation, which was adopted unanimously 12-0.
The $834,843 grant will be used to operate the Eufaula Dormitory during the 2024-2025 school year. There was no discussion on this piece of legislation.
NCA 24-091 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Treasury, Coronavirus Capital Projects Grant for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health. Rep. Crawford sponsored the legislation, which was adopted unanimously 12-0.
According to the bill, the $167,504 grant will be used to purchase digital connectivity technologies owned by the MCN Department of Health. There was no discussion on this piece of legislation.
NCA 24-092 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Indian Health Service, Native Public Health Resilience Planning Fund Grant for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health. Rep. Crawford sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 12-0.
According to the bill, the $200,000 grant will develop a Public Health Program that is practicable with the ten Essential Public Health Services (EPSS) by the Nation’s Department of Health. There was no discussion on this piece of legislation.
NCA 24-093 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration Fiscal Year 2024 Tribal Transportation (TTP) Safety fund for the benefit of Federal Roads. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Whitecloud, which was adopted unanimously 12-0.
According to the bill, the $737,616 grant will be used to conduct the design, environmental review and construction of a single-lane roundabout located at the intersection of State Highway 56 and Old Morris Highway in Okmulgee, Okla. There was no discussion on this piece of legislation.
NCA 24-094 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 23, entitled “Wildlife Code”. Rep. Whitecould sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 12-0.
The amendment will require ID requirements for those hunting and fishing on the Mvskoke Reservation. The amendment also outlines strict code for hunting seasons, types of species hunted and firearm usage. There was no discussion on this piece of legislation.
NCA 24-095 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a donation to ZOyaha Nation for the ZOhaya Fest 2024. Rep. Randolph sponsored the bill, which was postponed until the next session 11-1. Rep. Deere voted against postponing the bill.
If adopted, the $15,000 bill will go toward the Euchee tribe’s festival that celebrates their identity, culture and language. Rep. Randolph made the motion to postpone the bill. There was no discussion on this piece of legislation.
NCA 24-097 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Labor for the Calendar Year 2024 Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) Project. Rep. Gouge sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 12-0.
The $438,870 grant will be used to deliver services to homeless Native American and non-Native veterans who are re-entering the workforce. Rep. Barnett made a point that she would like to see more money expended by the council for veterans in the future. MCN Secretary of Veterans Affairs Grover Wind elaborated on the project and how it specifically covers services for veterans.
NCA 24-098 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation repealing NCA 07-332 (A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a special appropriation to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Communications Department for the 2008 Muscogee (Creek) Nation Annual Calendar). Representative Nelson Harjo Sr. sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 12-0.
The repeal will fund the annual calendar under the MCN Cultural & Humanities Language Department during the annual budgetary process. There was no discussion on this piece of legislation.
NCA 24-099 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing an appropriation for the Hickory Ground Oral Argument Journey for Justice to save Oce Vpofv located in Atlanta, Georgia. Rep. Proctor sponsored the bill, which was adopted near-unanimously 11-1. Rep. Golden voted against adopting the legislation.
The Nation will send members of the Hickory Ground Ceremonial Ground (Oce Vpofv) to voice their support in saving the Oce Vpofv sacred site during oral arguments before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit on Sept. 25. A motion was made to go into executive session, which was unanimously approved.
Other Business
The National Council unanimously approved the National Council 2024 Session Schedule 12-0. The October MCNC Planning Session was changed to Oct. 1 and the next MCNC Quarterly Session was changed to Oct. 22.
To view the full agenda, visit: mcnnc.com.
