OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – A Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council Land, Natural Resources & Culture Preservation Committee meeting was held on Feb. 14 at the Mound Building.
The following grant programs were approved through LNC:
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Emergency Assistance Grant
Negiel Bigpond represented Morning Star Evangelistic Center when he requested $1,683.14. The money is to pay tribal construction for their work replacing water pipes that busted during the storm at the beginning of February.
Funding was granted, committee passed 4-0.
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Camps and Camp House Grants
Thewarle Indian Baptist Church was requesting $4,227.28 but asked for a postponement of one month to add more items to the request.
Committee agreed to postpone 4-0.
Beverly Parker represented Thlopthlocco United Methodist Church when requesting $8,178.08. The money will be used to repair their camphouse.
Funding was granted, committee passed 4-0.
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Church and Ceremonial Ground Grants
Joy Reynolds represented Pickett Chapel United Methodist Church when requesting $38,500.00. The money will be used for additions, maintenance, and repairs of the church. The lowest bid for the work needed was a bid of $38,500.00, and Tribal Construction said that a change order could be requested for any additional funds needed. The church is looking to get a total of $50,000.00 for the work.
The committee voted on the $38,500.00 and will vote on the remaining money at a later date.
Funding was granted, committee passed 4-0.
LNC addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 23-022 A MCN resolution authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a MCN Department of housing contract with B-V-P, LLC. Representative Charles McHenry sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
The MCN Dept. of Housing is requesting approval for a contract with B-V-P, LLC, to construct three homes for the Dept. of Housing. The cost for the work on the three homes is a total of $791,000.00.
NCA 23-012 A MCN Law authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Dept. of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation for the benefit of the Office of Environmental services. Rep. Galen Cloud sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
The Office of Environmental Services was awarded the Indian Tribal Water Resources Development, Management and Protection Grant in the amount of $200,000.00. The grant funds will be used to restore a five-acre pond located on the Dustin Cattle Farm in Hughes County. It will reintroduce native plant species, with an emphasis on pollinator plants to attract important species to the area.
NCA 23-013 A MCN Law authorizing supplemental appropriation for the MCN Risk Management – Arbor Care Services Fiscal Year 2023. Rep. Cloud sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0 but will go to the Business, Financial and Justice committee for funding.
The MCN Arbor Care Services Program needs additional funds in order to add additional staff and provide competitive salaries in order to enable the program to utilize the equipment with four-man crews while working throughout the Nation’s reservation.
The supplemental appropriation will cover the salaries for new positions, additional increases throughout the budget to accomplish the workload requests. The MCN Arbor Care Services Program is requesting $735,187.00 to be added to 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.
