Liz Gray/Managing Editor
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council held an Emergency Session July 15 at the Mound Building in Okmulgee.
The Emergency Session addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 21-108 Authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a bid to purchase real property located in Okmulgee County, which will be sold at a public auction. Representative Charles McHenry sponsored the resolution, which was postponed indefinitely with a vote of 11-1. Rep. Robert Hufft
The Nation was presented with an opportunity to purchase real estate property, approximately 16.5 acres located in Okmulgee County. MCN performed a Phase I/II Environmental on the property, which identified need for remediation to the site but would not deter the Nation’s intended use of the property.
NCA 21-080 Approving the 2022 Indian Housing Plan. Rep. Thomasene Yahola Osborn sponsored the legislation, which was passed 12-0.
The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act, Indian Housing Block Grant funds requires a tribally approved Indian Housing Plan to be submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for approval of compliance at least 75 days prior to the end of the tribe’s fiscal year.
NCA 21-084 Repealing MCN Code Annotated Title 16, Chapter 4 and creating a new law in a new Title 50 entitled, “Lighthorse Police Commission” and authorizing an appropriation for the Lighthorse Police Commission. Rep. Adam Jones III sponsored the legislation and co-sponsored by Rep. Patrick Freeman Jr., which was postponed until July 31 with a vote of 12-0.
The Act shall be known and may be cited as the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police Commission Act and shall be codified as in MCNCA as Chapter 1 in Title 50.
The legislation states that the purpose of the act is to provide independent supervision of the Chief of Police of MCNLHPD.
The Lighthorse Police Commission would be established to provide oversight to the department regarding activities and action of the law enforcement operations, support the Nation’s goal of self-sufficiency and sovereignty through the implementation and enforcement of tribal laws, regulations and ordinances, provide the community with a professional and effective law enforcement agency that is responsive and respectful while serving the community, strengthen the relationship between the community and the police by providing an accessible and credible complaint review process, and provide an open and independent forum for the community to express concerns about police conduct.
The commission would be comprised of five Muscogee (Creek) citizens, two of whom shall be nominated by the Principal Chief and confirmed by MCN NC by tribal resolution and three nominated and confirmed by the Council by Tribal Resolution.
During the Emergency Session, the Council adopted a motion to hire Jeff Davis as Special Prosecutor, which was approved 8-4. Reps. Charles McHenry, Thomasene Yahola Osborn, Robert Hufft and James Jennings voted no.
Full legislation and meeting can be viewed at: www.mcnnc.com.
