Morgan Taylor/Reporter
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council Regular Session was held Sept. 26 via teleconference.
The MCN National Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
NCR 21-010 Confirming Denise Henry to serve on the Lighthorse Police Commission. Representative Adam Jones III sponsored the legislation, which was postponed for one month with a vote of 15-0.
Upon confirmation, Henry will serve a term of three years to end on Sept. 25, 2024.
TR 21-126 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a certain agreement with Smith & Nephew, Inc. on behalf of the MCN Department of Health. Rep. Mary Crawford sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
MCNDH requested authorization to purchase medical equipment and the agreement requires approval as it waives the Nation’s sovereign immunity.
TR 21-127 Confirming the nomination of Sharon Mouss to serve on the College of the Muscogee Nation Board of Regents. Rep. James Jennings sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
Mouss shall serve CMN Board of Regents Seat #2 until Sept. 30, 2026.
TR 21-128 Establishing Tribal Membership in the National Congress of American Indians. Rep. William Lowe sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
MCN wishes to become a Member in Good Standing with the NCAI and meets the requirements. Tribal funds of $30,000 for dues will be paid for 2021-22 membership.
TR 21-129 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a Supplier Certification of Compliance with USDA QSA Program for segregation of cattle material prohibited from animal feed with Valley Proteins. INC. Rep. Robert Hufft sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
The Nation’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Department desires to ensure that the Meat Processing Facility will produce bovine inedible raw materials free of prohibited cattle material intended for use as an ingredient in U.S. animal feed that is offered to rendering plants or other facilities.
TR 21-130 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute an 105(I) Lease Agreement with the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs for the benefit of the citizenship office. Rep. Jennings sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
Negotiation to offset tribal expenses incurred in the delivery of the Aid to Tribal Government, specifically “member services.”
TR 21-131 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute an amendment to the 2019-2021 Funding Agreement with the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs. Rep. Jennings sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
The purpose of the amendment is to incorporate a 105(I) lease agreement to cover expenses incurred as a result of the Jenks Citizenship Office under the Aid to Tribal Governments Program within the Funding Agreement.
TR 21-132 Removing all members of the OneFire Holding Company, LLC Board of Directors. Rep. William Lowe sponsored the legislation, which was postponed indefinitely with a vote of 15-0.
Due to the uncertainty about the fitness of the existing OneFire Holding Company, LLC Board, there is a need to remove all board member: Jeremy Avance, Glen Michael Bunney, Scott McCoy and Pete Regan.
NCA 21-099 Amending MCN Code Annotated Title 36 Chapter 3 Entitled “Motor vehicle tax and license code” Rep. Lowe sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
Amendment adds Utility Terrain Vehicle and Street Legal Utility Vehicle to definitions and adds section 6 on registration tax for defined vehicles. Also amends D and F regarding registration fees.
NCA 21-100 Amending MCNCA Title 48 2-102 entitled “Tribal workers’ benefit advisory council membership” Rep. Lowe sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
Amends membership portion and incudes section E. Muscogee International Nation Businesses, LLC.
NCA 21-101 Authorizing the expenditure of funds awarded in the amount of $802,692.72 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund for the MCN TANF Program. Rep. Lucian Tiger III sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
The PEAF grant funds allows the Nation’s TANF program to provide non-recurrent, short-term (NRST) benefits to assist needy families impacted by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
NCA 21-102 Authorizing the expenditure of the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, ANA American Rescue Plan Act Emergency Native Language Funds in the amount of $82,609 for the benefit of the Mvskoke Language Department. Rep. Tiger sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
The funds awarded are to increase the number of citizens listening and becoming familiar with the language by listening to elders tell stories in the Mvskoke language as well as documenting fluent elders in regards to the pandemic and their predictions of what is to come in the future.
NCA 21-103 Authorizing the expenditure of CARES Act funds in the amount of $300,000 to supplement the Tribal Burial and Food for Funeral Programs- Social Services Department’s FY 2021 Budget. Rep. Tiger sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
Funds are being requested to supplement the Client Services line item.
NCA 21-104 Approving a continuing budget ordinance and providing for appropriations and authorization for expenditures for FY 2022. Rep. Tiger sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
The purpose of this law is to provide funding at a level necessary for the continued operation of the Nation’s programs for FY 2022 beginning Oct 1, 2021.
NCA 21-105 Temporarily transferring duties of the OneFire Holding Company, LLC Board to Secretary if the Nation and Commerce. Rep. Tiger sponsored the legislation, which was postponed indefinitely with a vote of 15-0.
Duties of the board would be handed to Secretary Terra Branson-Thomas.
Full agendas and meetings can be viewed at: www.mcnnc.com.
