OKMULKE, Oklv. – The Muscogee (Creek) National Land, Natural Resources and Cultural Preservation Committee held a meeting in the Mound Building on Aug. 13.
The committee addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 24-111 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the construction of five new buildings for the division of agriculture and natural resources program. Representative Charles McHenry sponsored the bill, which was unanimously passed 4-0.
If adopted by full council, American Rescue Plan Act funds will be used for five new buildings and other associated site elements and infrastructure. This includes an agricultural youth barn, a teaching greenhouse/aquaponics facility, and three commercial greenhouses.
TR 24-112 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving the final Plat Oak Acres and authorizing the Principal Chief to execute the Oak Acres owner’s certification, Deed of Dedication, and Restrictive Covenants. The bill was sponsored by Representative Robyn Whitecloud, which passed unanimously 4-0.
If adopted by full council, this bill will platt a tract of land in Okmulgee County into blocks, lots and streets.
TR 24-113 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending TR 19-076 (A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to suspend all special appropriations and donations) as amended by TRS 20-150, 21-080, 22-128, 22-143, 22-150, 22-155, 22-170, 23-045, 23-066, 23-096, 24-005, 24-095 and 24-104. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 4-0.
If adopted by full council, the amendment to the bill would enact a one-time donation to the Indigenous Peoples Association (IPA) if NCA 24-113 is enacted.
NCA 24-108 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Information Technology Department. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 4-0.
If adopted by full council, the $1,013,627 bill will be used to comprehensively address the cybersecurity gaps of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation through endpoint management, and will hire two security management analysts to conduct an assessment of the current infrastructure and identify all potential cybersecurity threats to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
NCA 24-109 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 4, Chapter 2, entitled “Tribal Cemeteries”. Rep. Cloud sponsored the bill, which unanimously passed 4-0.
If adopted by full council, the amendment would codify authority over cemeteries, specifically authority under the MCN Secretary of Culture and Humanities for reinterring human remains and funerary objects.
NCA 24-110 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the United States Department of Agriculture for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored the bill, which unanimously passed 4-0.
If adopted by full council, the $72,369 bill will be used for increasing the testing of wild harvested deer on the Mvskoke Reservation for Chronic Wasting Disease research and increase the sample size of the detection area for the presence and absence of disease within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation. It will also educate hunters and non-hunters about Chronic Wasting disease, how it’s transferred and how to minimize the risk of being affected by it.
NCA 24-111 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fiscal Relief funding for construction of a building and facilities for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Transportation and Federal Roads. Rep. Cloud sponsored the bill, which was passed unanimously 4-0.
If adopted by full council, the $5,200,000 bill will be used for the planning, design and construction of a building for the benefit of the MCN Department of Transportation and Federal Roads. It will allow the department to “more effectively manage the significant funding and resources for surface transportation facilities that are located on tribal lands and for which the title or maintenance responsibility is vested in the federal government”.
NCA 24-112 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fiscal relief funding for the purchase of two vehicles and the relevant support equipment for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Driveways program. Rep. Cloud sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 4-0.
If adopted by full council, the $378,649.33 bill will be used to purchase a dump truck, a skid steer and necessary support equipment to increase the capacity of the department.
NCA 24-113 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a donation to the Indigenous Peoples Association (IPA) to financially assist with the 2024 Okmulgee Indigenous People’s Day. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Whitecloud, which passed unanimously 4-0.
If adopted by full council, the $5,000 bill will provide the celebration with food, drinks, paper products, a city permit, performer stipends and event t-shirts.
NCA 24-114 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Housing. The legislation was sponsored by Rep. Whitecloud, which passed unanimously 4-0.
If adopted by full council, the $835,896 bill will be used to provide housing vouchers to eligible Native American veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
For more information visit, www.mcnnc.com.
