OKMULGEE, Okla. – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council held a Health, Education and Welfare committee meeting Dec. 6.
The Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
NCA 23-154 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation (MCN) 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 MCN Social Services program. Representative Robert Hufft sponsored this legislation, which passed 4-0. This will be presented to the full council at the next regular session.
The MCN Social Services Program received $306,687 from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds award. According to the bill, the award will go toward cooling and crisis funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
NCA 23-155 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the United States Department of Agriculture and appropriating the tribal match for the benefit of the MCN Food Distribution Program. Representative Mary Crawford sponsored this legislation, which passed 4-0. This will be presented to the full council at the next regular session.
The MCN Food Distribution Program received $1,349,398 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations Grant. This bill will match that with $337,350 in funds. It will go toward income-eligible Native American households that reside on MCN reservation.
NCA 23-156 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs for the benefit of the MCN Head Start Program. Rep. Hufft sponsored this legislation, which passed 4-0. This will be presented to the full council at the next regular session.
The MCN Head Start Program has received $16,000 from the Indian Highway Safety Program Child Passenger Safety Grant. According to the bill these funds will go toward 107 car seats and any car clinic signs, traffic cones, sandwich boards, portable canopies, latch manuals, pool noodles, or brochures needed for training clinics.
NCA 23-160 A law of the MCN authorizing a supplemental appropriation for the MCN Citizenship Office’s fiscal year 2024 budget. Representative Joyce C. Deere sponsored this legislation, which passed 4-0. This will be presented to the full council at the next regular session.
The MCN Citizenship Office requested $200,000 from their FY 2024 budget, this will help them continue with unspecified ongoing legal services.
To view the full agenda, visit: mcnnc.com.