MVSKOKE RESERVATION – On August 11, the Land, Natural Resources, and Cultural Preservation Committee held an in-person meeting.
The committee addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills. All legislation passed through the committee will be presented to the full council for approval at the next session.
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Church & Ceremonial Ground Grant:
Polecat Ceremonial Ground – Tracy Littlehead $19,100.00 approved
Montesoma Baptist Church – Sandy Denney $74,800.00 approved
Little Cussetah United Methodist Church – Karen King $73,029.67 approved
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Church & Ceremonial Ground Emergency Grant:
Nuyaka Ceremonial Ground – Delores Watson $7,339.45 approved/amended $5,519.95
Arbeka Indian Baptist Church – Marvin Lowe $17,500.00 postponed until next month.
Wetumka Indian Baptist Church – Betty Scott $3,625.12 approved
Cedar Creek Baptist Church – Cory Miller $7,200.00 approved
Haikey Chapel United Methodist Church – Scott Moore $856.55 approved
TR 26-048 A tribal resolution of the MCN amending TR 25-033, a tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a real estate contract for the purchase of property located in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, passed with a vote of 4-0. Representative Cody Phillips sponsored this legislation.
The legislation amends a prior resolution in which the land’s legal description, used in the first resolution, conflicted with the official survey. The official survey results were added to the bill.
TR 26-049 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Bureau of Indian Affairs to execute a grant of easement for right-of-way agreement and a grant easement for temporary right-of-way, on behalf of the Nation, with Oklahoma Natural Gas Company, a division of One Gas, Inc., associated with tribal trust property known as Taylor Drive Low Rent Housing, passed with a vote of 4-0. Representative Robyn Whitecloud sponsored this legislation.
The Oklahoma Natural Gas Company, a division of One Gas, Inc. (ONG) requires a right-of-way to rebuild a pipeline to help maintain public safety. ONG needs a temporary right-of-way grant for a storage area for their equipment and supplies for 6 to 8 months during the construction.
TR 26-050 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a standard engagement agreement contract with the University of West Georgia passed with a vote of 4-0. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored this legislation.
The Historic and Cultural Preservation Department gave a consultation on April 29, 2026 for the University of West Georgia for a public humanities event named “Muscogee Ancestral Lands in West Georgia.” After the consultation, the MCN Historic and Cultural Preservation Department agreed to be paid $2,750.
TR 26-051 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers NAGPRA collections temporary custody agreement for the temporary housing of human remains and cultural items at the USACE Archaeological Repository in Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed with a vote of 4-0. Representative Dode Barnett sponsored this legislation.
Throughout this meeting, the MCN Department of Cultural and Humanities’ duties are the protection, preservation, etc., of items connected to the MCN and its citizens under NAGPRA. For this purpose, the agreement for the temporary custody of certain human remains and cultural items is at the USACE Archaeological Repository located in Tulsa.
NCA 26-120 A law of the MCN authorizing a budget modification in excess of ten percent (10%) for the MCN Realty/Trust Department for the FY 2026 budget was passed with a vote of 4-0. Rep. Phillips sponsored this legislation.
MCN Realty/Trust Department requested a budget modification within its total for FY 2026. Any modification exceeding 10% requires authorization from the National Council. This budget will reallocate certain funds to other expenses outlined in the attached budget modification request, as stated in the bill.
NCA 26-121 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of FY 24 section 5311(c)(1) Tribal Formula Grant operating funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration for the benefit of the MCN Tribal Transportation Program passed with a vote of 4-0. Rep. Phillips sponsored this legislation.
The MCN Tribal Transportation Program was awarded $910,086 in grant funds. This will be used to provide public transit across all counties within MCN tribal jurisdiction and to maintain a transit office in each county, as stated in the bill.
NCA 26-122 A law of the MCN amending MCNCA title 28, chapter 9, entitled “Muscogee (Creek) Nation Natural Resource Conservation District,” postponed til next month. Rep. Barnett sponsored this legislation with Co-Sponsor Rep. Whitecloud.
There is a need to update the code to ensure the program aligns with present-day practices, and this amendment is necessary so that the MCN Natural Resource Conservation District can budget tribal funds for future growth. The legislation for FY 2027 increases the budget from $300,000 to $700,000 for operations and other costs. Additionally, carryover funds may be expended the following year without the approval of the council.
For more information, visit www.mcnnc.com.
