Byline: Braden Harper/Reporter
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – A Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council Quarterly Session was held in person on Oct. 29 at the Mound Building.
The National Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
NCR 22-011 Confirming Cynthia M. Tiger to serve on the Mvskoke Media Editorial Board. Representative Anna Marshall sponsored the bill, which was adopted by a split vote, 8-7. Speaker Lowe was the tie-breaking vote in favor.
Tiger will serve as a board member until the end of her term, Oct. 29, 2025.
TR 22-151 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute an Oklahoma State Department of Education Data Sharing Agreement. Representative Mary Crawford sponsored the bill, adopted unanimously, 14-0.
The agreement will establish a data transfer process between OSDE and MCN to monitor public school performance and enrollment of children in their tribal nation to provide targeted educational resources and support.
TR 22-152 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a legal services attorney agreement between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Michael D. Parks to provide legal services for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Realty Department. Representative Joseph Hicks sponsored the bill unanimously adopted, 14-0.
This will fulfill the MCN Realty Department’s need for legal representation to quiet titles and partitions for restricted and trust lands to improve its program and services.
TR 22-153 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a memorandum of agreement with the Indian Health Service for project OK 22-23I, which will provide adequate wastewater disposal facilities for eight existing Native American-owned homes in Muskogee County, Oklahoma. Representative Charles McHenry sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted, 14-0.
The project will cost $178,000.00 and be fully funded by the Indian Health Service.
TR 22-154 Authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a 2022 Competitive Indian Housing Block Grant Application to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored the bill unanimously adopted, 14-0.
MCN will commit the grant totaling $1,875,000.00 from the Housing Department’s Program Income for the New Construction Housing Project. The grant application will propose $7,500,000 for the housing project, benefiting low to moderate-income elderly tribal citizens.
TR 22-155 Amending TR 19-076 (A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to suspend all special appropriations and donations) as amended by TR 20-150, TR 21-080, TR 22-128, TR 22-143 and TR 22-150. Representative Randall Hicks sponsored the bill unanimously adopted, 14-0.
The amendment will include a one-time special appropriation for the Okfuskee Ceremonial Ground if NCA 22-121 is enacted.
TR 22-156 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act agreement between the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Rep. Joseph Hicks sponsored the bill unanimously adopted, 14-0.
CRRSAA Section 5310 helps enhance the mobility of seniors and individuals with disabilities in rural areas by apportioning funds for public mass transportation. The act will appropriate $12,268.00 to the MCN Department of Transportation.
TR 22-157 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a United States of America Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration Grant Agreement. Rep. Joseph Hicks sponsored the bill, unanimously adopted 14-0.
The grant will award the MCN Department of Transportation $899,975.00 to ensure the continuity of transit operations and to provide greater access to job opportunities, education, and healthcare.
TR 22-158 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a legal services contract between the Nation and Cody Minyard, Attorney at Law, PLLC, for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Office of Child Support Enforcement. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the bill unanimously adopted, 14-0.
This will allow Cody Minyard, Attorney at Law PLLC, to provide legal services for the MCN Office of Child Support Enforcement.
TR 22-160 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a contract accepting a donation of land located in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. Representative Cloud sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted, 14-0.
The land is located in Henryetta, Oklahoma, and consists of roughly 0.3 acres. The acquisition will allow for future development consistent with the mission and objectives of MCN’s Reintegration Program.
NCA 22-104 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation appropriating funds for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Veterans Affairs Office to purchase motorcycles for a military funeral and detail unit. Representative Thomasine Yahola Osborn sponsored the bill, which was adopted with a vote of 11-3.
The bill will provide $83,691.00 to purchase three Electra Glide Police Motorcycles. They will assist the Veterans Affairs Office in properly escorting military funerals.
NCA 22-115 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention closing the gap with social determinants of Health Accelerator Plans Grant. Representative Robert Hufft sponsored the bill unanimously adopted, 14-0.
MCN will receive $125,000.00 from the grant to improve chronic disease outcomes in persons experiencing health disparities and inequities.
NCA 22-116 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the United States Department of Education for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Education and Training. Rep. Hufft sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 14-0.
The MCN Department of Education and Training was awarded $2,396,214.00 from the Demonstration Grants for the Indian Children and Youth Program Assistance Grant. The funds will build curriculum and education systems, increase American Indian/Alaskan Native Resources, and establish the “Future Mvskoke Educators Student Cohort” to provide teaching career exploration opportunities to produce new Indigenous Oklahoma Educators.
NCA 22-117 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation 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. Rep. Marshall sponsored the bill unanimously adopted, 14-0.
CMN was awarded $10,000 from the 2022 Native American Library Services Grant. It will be used for programming and outreach activities focusing on Muscogee Culture to increase the number of patrons utilizing the library. It will also purchase additional books and materials to support CMN degree programs.
NCA 22-118 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation establishing the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Veterans Affairs Revolving Fund for various activities of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Veterans Affairs Services Office. Representative Leonard Gouge sponsored the bill unanimously adopted, 14-0.
The revolving fund account will not be subject to fiscal year limitations and will be under the direction of the MCN Veterans Affairs Services Office. It will comply with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Procurement Policies & Procedures. The donated funds will be utilized for future activities hosted by the MCN Veterans Affairs Service Office to provide goods and services to the nation’s veterans.
NCA 22-119 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 35, Chapter 3, entitled “Medical Travel Assistance.” The bill was sponsored by Rep. Hufft and co-sponsored by Rep. Gouge, which was adopted unanimously, 14-0.
The law will be updated to account for increased medical traveling expenses for eligible MCN Citizens. It will increase the assistance, including reimbursement for gas mileage, food assistance, lodging, toll, and parking. The annual appropriation will be established at $200,000.
NCA 22-120 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the 2022 NACD Technical Assistance Grant Funds awarded from the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Conservation District. Rep. Joseph Hicks sponsored the bill unanimously adopted, 14-0.
The grant awarded MCN Conservation District $75,000 to support citizens who currently have agricultural interests and have not participated in U.S. Department of Agriculture National Resources Conservation Service Programs to improve participation and service.
NCA 22-121 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a special appropriation to Okfuskee Ceremonial Ground to purchase a tractor and related equipment. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the bill unanimously adopted, 14-0.
The bill will appropriate $75,888.00 to purchase a tractor with a six-year warranty.
NCA 22-122 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the National Park Service Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) Grant for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Historic and Cultural Preservation Department. Rep. Cloud sponsored the bill unanimously adopted, 14-0.
MCN Historic and Cultural Preservationdepartment was awarded $72,214.00 from the THPO Grant to protect and preserve valued Mvskoke historic and cultural resources. This includes sacred places, cultural sites, cultural remains, and Mvskoke History for future generations.
NCA 22-123 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of funds awarded from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s Department of Transportation. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Joseph Hicks and was unanimously adopted 14-0.
Grant funds from CRRSAA Section 5310 for $12,268.00 will be used to operate a public transportation system in rural areas.
NCA 22-124 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of funds awarded from the United States of America Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s Department of Transportation. Rep. Joseph Hicks sponsored the bill unanimously adopted, 14-0.
The MCN Department of Transportation was awarded $899,975.00 in grant funds to ensure the continuity of transit operations and to provide greater access to job opportunities, education, healthcare, and other services necessary to tribal citizens and the general public within MCN’s Reservation.
NCA 22-125 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of funds for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s Lighthorse Police Department for the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services 2022 Cops Office Tribal Resources Grant Program – Equipment and Training. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the bill unanimously adopted, 14-0.
The grant awarded $899,997.00 to the Lighthorse Police Department. It will pay for two employees to attend the CTAS New Grantee Orientation Training, purchase seven pursuit vehicles with accessory packages, eight truck pursuit vehicles with accessory packages, and 71 bulletproof vests.
NCA 22-126 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women FY 2022 Grants to Indian Tribal Governments to Exercise Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction Grant Award for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police Department. Representative Sandra Golden sponsored the bill unanimously adopted, 14-0.
MCN Lighthorse Police were awarded $449,976.00 from the grant. It will increase the capacity of the Lighthorse Police Department to gather, analyze, and report data and respond to sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and dating violence against Native Women. It will also strengthen tribal justice interventions through law enforcement by hiring an investigator and a Domestic Violence Analyst.
NCA 22-127 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the National White Collar Crime Center Grant Award for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police Department. Rep. Golden sponsored the bill, which was unanimously postponed until the November Regular Session, 14-0.
MCN Lighthorse Police was awarded $39,060.00 from the grant. The funds will be used to purchase 14 Panasonic Toughbooks.
NCA 22-128 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation appropriating funds for the transactional costs related to accepting donated real property located in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. Rep. Cloud sponsored the bill unanimously adopted, 14-0.
The donated real property is located in Okmulgee County and roughly consists of 0.3 acres. The total transactional costs are $20,000.
NCA 22-129 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. Rep. McHenry sponsored the bill unanimously adopted, 14-0.
MCN Department of Housing was awarded $696,600.00 from the grant. The funds will provide 50 housing vouchers to eligible Native American Veterans. The vouchers are for the homeless or those at risk of homelessness, and administrative funding to support the program.
NCA 22-130 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security FY 2022 Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program for the benefit of the Department of Lighthorse Police Department and Emergency Management Department. Rep. Hufft sponsored the bill unanimously adopted, 14-0.
MCN Lighthorse Police and Emergency Management were awarded $726,373.00 from the grant. The funds will be used for a bomb detection robot and bomb technician certification training for four enforcement officers. It will purchase a CCTV system with 15 cameras at MCN Reintegration and the Eufala Dormitory. It will also buy four drones with training and licensure for six law enforcement officers.
NCA 22-131 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the benefit of the Division of Agricultural and Natural Resources Looped Square Meat Company. Rep. Cloud sponsored the bill unanimously adopted, 14-0.
MCN Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources received $199,932.00 from the grant. It will increase sanitary processing and packaging capacity, implement additional food safety measures, separate packaging equipment for cooked and raw products, and enhance food safety in the facility’s Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure.
NCA 22-132 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration for the benefit of the Office of the Secretary of the Nation and Commerce. Rep. Cloud sponsored the bill unanimously adopted, 14-0.
MCN Office of the Secretary of the Nation and Commerce was awarded $1,256,000.00 from the grant. Funds will construct a waterline located at Looped Square Ranch.
NCA 22-133 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Internal Revenue Service for the benefit of the Office of the Secretary of the Nation and Commerce. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the bill unanimously adopted, 14-0.
MCN Office of the Nation and Commerce was awarded $2,300.00 from the grant. It will be used to assist in preparing income tax returns for individuals who are age 60 or older.
NCA 22-134 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Internal Revenue Service Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program for the benefit of the Office of the Secretary of the Nation and Commerce. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the bill unanimously adopted, 14-0.
MCN Office of the Nation and Commerce was awarded $15,000.00 from the grant. The funds will be used to assist in preparing income tax returns for individuals who are aged 59 and younger.
NCA 22-135 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing an appropriation for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program for the benefit of the Office of the Secretary of the Nation and Commerce. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the bill unanimously adopted, 14-0.
The requested appropriation is $15,000.00, which will match the funds from the VITA Grant as aforementioned in bill NCA 22-134. It will also be used to assist in preparing income tax returns for individuals who are aged 59 and younger.
NCA 22-136 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation repealing NCA 21-084 (A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation repealing MCNCA Title 16 Chapter 4 and creating new law in a new title 50, entitled “Lighthorse Police” and authorizing an appropriation for the Lighthorse Commission) as amended by NCA 21-135. Rep. Osborn sponsored the bill, which was postponed for 90 days by a vote of 10-5.
The bill states that due to the lack of progress from the MCN Lighthorse Commission, there is a need to place the Lighthorse Police back under the executive branch and repeal the law that established the commission.
NCA 22-137 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 26 § 3-102 D. Entitled “Compensation.” Rep. Osborn sponsored the bill unanimously adopted, 15-0.
The bill will increase compensation for the MCN Supreme Court Chief Justice to $2,500 per month. The Vice-Chief Justices of the MCN Supreme Court will see a compensation increase to $2,250 per month. The other Supreme Court Justices will see an increase to $1,300 per month. The MCN Supreme Court Justices last saw a compensation increase 28 years ago. The bill states the increases are needed due to an increased workload of cases and reviews for new bar applicants.
The meeting, agenda, and full legislation can be viewed at www.mcnnc.com.
