MVSKOKE RESERVATION- On Nov 5, the Health, Education, and Welfare Committee held an 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 24-130 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a memorandum of understanding between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Preston Public Schools passed with a vote of 3-0. Representative Anna Marshall sponsored the legislation.
The MOA will enable the MCN to enroll eligible children in its Summer EBT program through a streamlined certification process to share data.
TR 24-131 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a service plan agreement with Eaton Corporation, for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health passed with a vote of 3-0. Representative Mary Crawford sponsored the legislation.
Eaton Corporation is a technology and medical equipment company that provides optometry equipment and services. The resolution authorizes a limited waiver of sovereign immunity.
TR 24-132 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute the group booking agreement between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Johnson O’Malley to host the OKJOM 2025 Conference passed with a vote of 3-0. Rep. Crawford sponsored the legislation.
The OKJOM 2025 conference will be held at the Choctaw Casino Resort. The group booking agreement contains taxation provisions which require a limited waiver of sovereign immunity.
NCA 24-146 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds in the amount of $2,000 awarded from Casey Family Programs for the benefit of Mvskoke Nation Youth Services passed with a vote of 3-0. Representative Thomasene Yahola Osborn sponsored the legislation.
The grant funds provide support for the youth conference.
NCA 24-147 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Mental Health Services Tribal Opioid Response (“TOR”) Grant in the amount of $886,901 for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health passed with a vote of 3-0. Rep. Crawford sponsored the legislation.
The Indian Health Service TOR grant assists in addressing the overdose crisis in Tribal communities by increasing access to FDA-approved medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder. It also supports prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support services.
NCA 24-148 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds in the amount of $186,507 awarded from the Indian Health Services, HIV/HCV/SYPHILIS Epidemic Project Grant was postponed until Dec with a vote of 3-0. Rep. Crawford sponsored the legislation.
The grant would enhance patient care coordination, patient navigation, treatment, retention care, and prevention services, and increase training and support services available to patients.
NCA 24-149 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds in the amount of $1,435,103 awarded from the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Office of Child Care passed with a vote of 3-0. Rep. Yahola-Osborn sponsored the legislation.
The grant will be utilized for administrative costs for day-to-day activities and direct services to child care providers and families.
NCA 24-150 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA title 18 § 2-102 entitled “Higher education; Tribal grants” is postponed indefinitely by a vote of 3-0. Representative Mark Randolf sponsored the legislation.
During discussion, Rep. Randolph and Education Secretary Dr. Kaila Harjo discussed increasing the grant amount students receive per credit hour of college that the MCN awards, the way the awards are paid, mentor programs, and academic accountability. Second Chief Del Beaver stated concerns that the MCN budget has not been recently passed. As of press time, a draft of this legislation is not available on the MCNNC website.
To view the full agenda, visit mcnnc.com.
