OKMULGEE, Okla. – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council held a regular session in person on Sept. 30.
The Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 23-094 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation (MCN) authorizing the Principal Chief to apply for federal funding through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Tribal Transportation Bridge Program to fund ten replacement bridges and six bridge constructions within the MCN. Representative Joseph Hicks sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
Ten bridges have been identified as structurally deficient and have become a risk to the traveling public along with several others. MCN requested for the federal funds through the BIA Tribal Transportation Bridge Program in the amount of $10,261,863.
TR 23-095 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the adoption of 2023-2024 conservation regulations of the MCN. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
MCNCA Title 23 § 2-203 A allows the MCN Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources to draft conservation regulations. This is in accordance toTitle 23, § 2-203.B.1.a., which states, “the Conservation Regulations will be presented to the Principal Chief which will be forwarded for submission on the regulations to the National Council for the approval by Tribal Resolution”.
TR 23-099 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing certain Muscogee (Creek) citizens the use of the great seal of the MCN while participating in the Indian National Finals Rodeo. Rep. Joseph Hicks sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
MCN will allow the use of the Great Seal of the MCN to be displayed on the clothing for Savanna Adams (Mvskoke), Shakylah Stafford (Mvskoke) and Bradley McGee (Mvskoke). They will wear it at the Indian National Finals when participating in their events in Las Vegas, Nevada on Oct. 24-28.
TR 23-100 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the construction of a new Head Start/Early Head Start facility for the MCN Department of Education. Speaker William Lowe sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
A total of $2,000,000 in grant funds was approved for the first phase of construction for the new Head start/Early Head Start Facility in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. An additional $249,000 was granted from the Department of Health and Human Services. This facility will be located at 905 Airport Road in Okmulgee, utilizing a total of five acres of land.
NCA 23-075 A law of the MCN authorizing an appropriation to the MCN tribal Construction Services in order to create the ramp assistance program. Representative Charles McHenry and co-sponsor Representative Robert Hufft sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
MCN Tribal Construction Services are going to oversee the new program for eligible Mvskoke citizens. The Nation’s tribal construction services will be adopting policies and procedures for the program. They received $50,000 for program funding.
NCA 23-097 A law of the MCN authorizing an appropriation to the MCN Facilities Department For Water Services provided for the MCN Industrial Park located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Rep. Joseph Hicks sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the bill, upon recognition after the installation of the MCN Industrial Park in 2008 without fault of the party, the water meter was not properly recording the water usage. Afterwards it was changed on Jan. 3 to replace the water meter when viewing that it wasn’t properly recording the water usage. With that there was a balance from 2008-2022. The City of Okmulgee agreed to start the date from 2014 when the water service began at the MCN Industrial Park. The remaining balance of $16,308 will be paid for.
NCA 23-098 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the United States Department of Agriculture for the benefit of the MCN Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Rep. Cloud sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
MCN Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources has been awarded $82,517 from the Tribal Nations Wild Cervid grant for the Fiscal Year 2023. This will be used for needed resources, which will increase due to testing of wild harvested deer and to provide critical samples for the baseline knowledge of the presence and absence of Chronic Wasting disease.
NCA 23-099 A law of the MCN amending MCNCA Title 23, entitled “Wildlife Code”. Rep. Cloud sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the bill, after reviewing the MCNCA Title 23 Wildlife Code the MCN Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources made the decision to adopt minor changes in the code. This includes a bag limit, bait, and a baited area.
NCA 23-100 A law of the MCN authorizing an appropriation to the MCN Office of Environmental Services for the lagoon closure at Duck Creek and Okemah casinos. Rep. Joseph Hicks sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
The lagoons located at the Duck Creek and Okemah Casinos have been out of compliance and are in need of closure. MCN Environmental Services will lead the project’s closure. Duck Creek Casino will close for reuse of the drip system. According to the bill, The Okemah lagoon will be closed permanently.
NCA 23-103 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of the grant funds awarded from the Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service (IHS), Produce Prescription Pilot Program grant. Representative Mary Crawford sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the bill, $2,500,000 will help reduce food insecurity. It will help with health outcomes among Indigenous people by increasing access to fresh produce as well as other traditional foods within Native American Communities.
NCA 23-104 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Institute of Museum and Library services for the benefit of the College of the Muscogee Nation. Representative Anna Marshall sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the bill, the grant will be used for ten hotspots for student school work assignments. The bill aims to increase the visitation of patrons, utilization of the library, and for general programming and outreach activities for Muscogee Nation culture.
NCA 23-108 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of the 2023 Enbridge Fueling Futures grant for the benefit of the MCN Lighthorse Police Department. Rep. Joseph Hicks sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
The MCN Lighthorse Police Departments received $14,526 from the grant. According to the bill, it will be used to buy 150 fire extinguishers with vehicle mounts to install into each of the patrol units.
NCA 23-109 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds received from the United States Department of the Treasury for fiscal relief funding for Muscogee International, LLC. Representative Sandra Golden sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the bill, MCN received $424,351,068.50 from ARPA, this amount will help with the support of economic stabilization and provide the continued resiliency of the Nation.
NCA 23-110 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of ARPA funds received from the United States Department of the Treasury for the fiscal relief funding for Muscogee Nation Businesses, LLC. Rep. Golden sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
The MCN Business, LLC has experienced negative effects from the COVID-19 Pandemic. ARPA will reimburse eligible expenses such as employee health insurance premiums, vaccine incentives, personal protective equipment and office supplies.
NCA 23-111 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of ARPA funds received from the United States Department of the Treasury for fiscal relief funding for the Lighthorse Police Department. Rep. Randolph sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
The MCN Lighthorse Police Department has received the Department of Treasury ARPA funds to create a transport division. This will hire four transport officers, acquire four vans and provide for daily operational costs.
NCA 23-112 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA title 36,§ 1-104 entitled “Powers and duties of the Tax Commissioner”. Representative Randall Hicks sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
The National Council will amend Title 36 of the Code of Laws. This will increase the Nation’s taxation revenue base and is consistent with the authority of the Nation, according to the bill.
NCA 23-114 A law of the MCN appropriating funds to be used for construction of a new Head Start/Early Head Start facility to be located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Speaker Lowe sponsored this bill, which was adopted 14-1.
The amount of $2,000,000, along with grant funding of $249,000 will cover phase one for the new Head Start/Early Head Start Facility located in Okmulgee.
NCA 23-115 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the benefit of the MCN Department of Housing. Rep. Joseph Hicks sponsored this bill, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the bill, a total of $459,840 has been funded to help provide housing vouchers toward eligible Native American veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
In other business, the National Council changed the date for the November planning session and regular session. The new planning session date will take place Nov. 6, the new regular session date will take place Nov. 7.
To view the full meeting, visit: mcnnc.com.
