OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – A Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council Land, Natural Resources & Culture Preservation Committee meeting was held on March 14 at the Mound Building.
The following grant programs were approved through LNC:
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Camps and Camp House Grants
Thewarle Indian Baptist Church requested $9,771.60 for repairs and updates to the church.
Funding was granted, and the committee budget proposal passed 4-0.
LNC addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 23-027 A MCN resolution authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a MCN Department of housing contract with Harris Contractors. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
The MCN Dept. of Housing is requesting approval for a contract with Harris Contractors, to construct five homes for the Dept. of Housing. The cost for the work on the five homes is a total of $969,762.
TR 23-029 A MCN resolution authorizing commitment for matching funds in collaboration with the State of Oklahoma for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Tribal Cooperation Grant program. Rep. Joseph Hicks sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
There are multiple projects that need to be taken care of across the Nation’s boundaries. The State of Oklahoma gave the Muscogee Nation $6,750,000, the tribe will match the $6,750,000, Indian Health Services will donate $3,100,000, and $4,000,000 coming from the Oklahoma Water Resource Association, Wagoner and Mayes Counties, the city of Beggs, will go to infrastructure funds for 10 projects. The infrastructure funds are tripled, for a total of $20,600,000. The projects include dam repairs, water issues, wastewater management and more. These projects were selected based on what was in the IHS system with funding already available to maximize it.
NCA 23-018 A MCN Law establishing a new Title 28, Chapter 13, entitled “Muscogee (Creek) Nation Land Referral Services”. Rep. Cloud sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
The MCN provides legal assistance to enrolled citizens for land services. There is a need to reorganize the process and create the Land Referral Services area for citizens to receive assistance to establish clear title, alleviate trespass and protect assets of the citizens, traditional churches, ceremonial grounds, and the Nation.
The new law will be codified in the MCN Code of Laws, Title 28, Chapter 13.
NCA 23-019 A MCN Law authorizing an appropriation for the MCN Realty Land Referral Services. Rep. Cloud sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0 and will go forward in the Business, Finance and Justice Committee.
The MCN Realty Land Referral Services needs start-up funds for fiscal year 2023 and will be included in the Comprehensive Annual budget hereafter. The MCN Realty Land Referral Services is requesting $192,918.42 for the 2023 fiscal year budget.
All legislation will go before the full Council during the next session. The full legislation and meeting can be viewed at www.mcnnc.com.
