MVSKOKE RESERVATION- On March 11, the Health, Education, and Welfare Committee held a mixed virtual and in-person meeting. Passed legislation will go on to the next full council meeting, unless otherwise noted.
The committee addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 25-016 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute agreements with Talking Stick Resort to host the Arizona Outreach Event in Scottsdale, AZ passed with a vote of 4-0. Representative Joyce Deere sponsored the legislation.
The Citizens Beyond the Reservation Office is hosting an event May 9- May 11 in Scottsdale, AZ. The agreements are for contracts, event catering, and equipment rental for the use of facilities and equipment during the event.
TR 25-017 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a data share agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s Summer EBT Program passed with a vote of 4-0. The legislation was sponsored by Representative Mary Crawford.
The MCN offers summer EBT benefits to eligible children residing in the MCN reservation. The data share agreement with the ODHS will allow eligibility information sharing. Approximately 105,000 children are expected to use the service.
TR 25-018 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a participating purchasing state addendum (addendum) to Successful Partners in Reaching Innovative Technology (SPIRIT) enhancement charter passed with a vote of 4-0. It was sponsored by Rep. Crawford.
The MCN WIC Program is a member of SPIRIT and uses their service operations and support from other WIC programs in the United States. The State of Maine is now the new lead state/member of SPIRIT and a new addendum must be signed between to constitute the government to government relationship.
NCA 25-014 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation repealing MCNCA title 35, chapter 9, entitled “special appropriations guidelines” and amending MCNCA title 35, chapter 12, entitled “donations” passed with a vote of 4-0 and will go to the BFJ committee for a funding source.. The legislation was sponsored by Representative Thomasene Yahola Osborn and co-sponsored by Representative Dode Barnett and Representative Robyn Whitecloud.
This legislation was introduced to committee in 2024 as NCA 24-164 and was reintroduced on Feb. 11, 2025, where it was again postponed. It repeals MCNA Title 35, Chapter 9: Special Appropriations Guidelines in its totality and amends MCNA Title 35, Chapter 12: Donations. The amendment deletes donations to charities and organizations and adds support in the amount of $500 per year to K-12 or public school teachers who are MCN citizens.
The original appropriation total of the amendment legislation was $415,000 and was decreased to $135,000 based on estimates of Muscogee (Creek) teachers in the reservation from the Department of Education. During discussion, Rep. Barnett stated that applications for the grants will begin as early as July 1, 2025.
It also adds separate support for an annual appropriation for the Okmulgee Indigenous People’s Day in the amount of $10,000 and the biennial National Indian Council on Aging elder’s conference.
NCA 25-028 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds in the amount of $145,000 awarded from the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board and the Oklahoma Area Tribal Epidemiology Center for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health passed with a vote of 4-0. The legislation was sponsored by Representative Anna Marshall.
The grant will promote the implementation of multidisciplinary team-based care to prevent, manage, and control chronic diseases, and to connect patients to community and social service providers to address culturally appropriate health-related social and economic needs particularly to support heart disease and stroke prevention.
To view the full agenda, visit mcnnc.com.
