MVSKOKE RESERVATION – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council held a Regular Session in person on Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Mound Building.
The MCN National Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
NCR 26-007 A resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) National Council adopting the rules of procedures of the National Council. Representative Lucian Tiger sponsored the bill. It was cosponsored by Representatives Mary Crawford, James Factor, Sandra Golden, William Lowe, Anna Marshall, Cody Phillips, and Darrell Proctor. It was postponed indefinitely, 11-0.
If the bill were adopted by the full council, it would adopt amendments made by the Internal Affairs Committee. Rep. Tiger moved to postpone the legislation indefinitely. There was no discussion on this bill.
TR 26-056 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a programmatic agreement among the Federal Highway Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, the Georgia State Historic Preservation Officer, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, participating Tribes, and the Georgia Department of Transportation regarding the Section 106 process for the transportation program in Georgia. Representative Dode Barnett sponsored the bill. It was adopted 11-0.
According to the legislation, the FHWA determined that construction, maintenance, and emergency relief projects on the Georgia interstate system may affect properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These properties include historic places that have cultural and religious significance to MCN. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 26-057 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a Memorandum of Agreement among the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, the Georgia State Historic Preservation Office, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and Savannah Land Holdings, LLC concerning the treatment of historic properties at the Genesis Point N/K/A Waterways Residential and Recreational Development, Bryan County, Georgia. Representative Robyn Whitecloud sponsored the legislation. It was adopted 11-0.
According to the legislation, the Waterways Residential and Recreational Development is located in Bryan County, Georgia, near pre-contact Muskogean archaeological sites. The MOU will create a Conservation Easement that will give the Muscogee (Creek) Nation rights of entry and enforcement powers. It will enable the Nation to investigate the site and take remedial action if necessary. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 26-058 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Forests in Alabama, and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation for the internment of cultural objects and ancestral remains. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored the bill. It was adopted 11-0.
According to the legislation, the MOU will allow ancestral remains in question to be interred in a location that is protected and preserved. The remains will be treated in accordance with the traditions of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 26-059 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute multiple 105(I) lease agreements with the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs for the benefit of Realty, the Office of Self-Governance, Tribal Courts, and the Department of Public Safety. Rep. Barnett sponsored the bill. It was adopted 11-0.
The lease proposals will include the Riverwalk Tribal Court, the Office of Self-Governance, the Riverwalk Department of Public Safety, and the Realty Henson Building. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 26-060 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a separate memorandum of agreement with the county of McIntosh, State of Oklahoma, for the maintenance of roadways and associated rights-of-way constructed or improved by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Transportation Program. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored the bill. It was adopted 11-0.
According to the legislation, the route in question is Tribal Transportation Program Route 181B in McIntosh County. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 26-061 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation supporting and approving the deployment of broadband equity, access, and deployment program services by CVEC Fiber, LLC at specific locations within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored the bill. It was adopted 11-0.
According to the legislation, CVEC will deploy Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program-funded infrastructure to eligible locations within the MCN Reservation. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 26-062 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a lease proposal for a lease agreement between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the United States for the Indian Health Service Office of Environmental Health (OEH) Field Office. Rep. Cloud sponsored the bill. It was adopted 11-0.
According to this legislation, the lease pertains to a facility located at 2100 N. Miami in Okmulgee. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 26-063 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to utilize a letter of intent template in connection with future business acquisitions and providing limited waivers of sovereign immunity regarding governing law and venue. Rep. Lowe sponsored the bill. It was adopted 8-3. Reps. Barnett, Golden, and Whitecloud voted against the bill.
According to the legislation, the letter will include a waiver of sovereign immunity regarding governing law and venue. Rep. Barnett asked how long the Principal Chief would be allowed to utilize the letter of intent. It was clarified that the window would last 45 days.
TR 26-064 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to accept a settlement offer and execute a tribal plaintiff release of all claims in order to settle claims against JUUL Labs, Inc. Rep. Proctor sponsored the bill. It was adopted 11-0.
According to the legislation, the Tribal plaintiffs in the case will receive $4 million as a settlement. The Nation will receive a gross amount of $994,870.96. The Nation will receive a net amount of $666,563.54. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 26-065 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief and Secretary of Housing to execute a settlement agreement to settle a lawsuit regarding a fence encroaching on real property owned by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Housing in Wagoner County, Oklahoma. Rep. Factor sponsored the bill. It was adopted 11-0.
According to the legislation, the suit involves a privacy fence encroaching on a property owned by the Nation in Wagoner County. The case, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Housing v. Bill and Thelma Johnson, is currently in the Cherokee Nation District Court. The legislation states that upon removal of the fence to the Housing Department’s satisfaction, the lawsuit will be dismissed. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 26-066 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation establishing Tribal membership in the National Congress of American Indians. Representative Robert Hufft sponsored the legislation. It was adopted 11-0.
According to the legislation, the tribe will provide $30,000 for 2026-2027 membership dues. There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 26-128 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. Proctor sponsored the bill. It was adopted 11-0.
According to the legislation, the $805,561 grant will be used for operations for the 2026-2027 school year. There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 26-129 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Children and Families Services Administration (CFSA). Representative Charles McHenry sponsored the legislation. It was adopted 11-0.
According to the legislation, the $321,196 grant will be used to create a predictive analytics model based on MCN case data. This process is known as peacemaking, or circle processing. There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 26-130 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the State of Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management EMPG 2025 Grant for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Emergency Management Department. Rep. Proctor sponsored the bill. It was adopted 11-0.
According to the legislation, the $18,780 grant will be used to conduct training and regional coordination activities with the Emergency Management Department. There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 26-131 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 14, Chapter 2, Subchapter 3 entitled “Crimes Against Person” and creating new law in MCNCA Title 14 §§ 2-350, entitled “Obscenity, Threats, or Harassment by Telephone or Other Electronic Communication”, 2-351, entitled “Domestic Abuse Against a Pregnant Person”, and 2-352, entitled “Domestic Abuse Resulting in Great Bodily Harm.” Rep. Lowe sponsored the bill. It was adopted 11-0.
According to the legislation, it adds language to define the terms “strangulation,” “stalking,” and “harassment.” It defines the term “strangulation” as intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly impeding breathing or circulation of blood flow by applying pressure to the throat or neck. The term “stalking” is defined as a crime committed by a person who willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follows or harasses another person. There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 26-132 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 14 § 1-601, entitled “Sentence and Judgement.” Rep. Lowe sponsored the bill. It was adopted 11-0.
The amendment will add language to the law. After a defendant enters a plea of guilty or is found guilty, the court will order the defendant to be remanded to Lighthorse custody. The court can then grant release on bail pending the sentence. The court must also hear convincing evidence that the defendant is not likely to flee or endanger public safety. There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 26-133 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving a continuing budget ordinance and providing for appropriations and authorization for expenditures for FY 2027. Rep. Tiger sponsored the bill. It was adopted 11-0.
During the discussion at the Business Finance and Justice committee meeting, Rep. Tiger explained that this is a continued resolution for the FY 2027 annual budget. The legislation states that the 2027 annual budget has been delayed due to funding requests and projected revenues. There was no discussion on this legislation.
To view the full agenda, visit www.mcnnc.com.
