OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – A Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council Regular Session meeting was held in person and via teleconference on Dec. 17 at the Mound Building.
The National Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 22-171 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute an agreement between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences on behalf of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health. Representative Robert Hufft sponsored the bill, unanimously adopted 15-0.
The agreement requires National Council approval because it is a government-to-government agreement. Further agreements will not waive MCN’s sovereign immunity and must first be approved by the Office of the Attorney General.
TR 22-172 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a contract with Toast Inc. for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health. Rep. Hufft sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 15-0.
The contract will provide $4,725.55 for management software and a recurring payment of $240.00 by MCNDH. MCN’s sovereign immunity and tribal jurisdiction will be waived in favor of those of the State of Massachusetts.
TR 22-173 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a contract with RLDatix, for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health. Rep. Hufft sponsored the legislation, which was adopted unanimously 15-0.
The contract will provide $22,563.00 in annual payments by MCNDH for contract management and compliance software.
TR 22-174 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a contract agreement between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and legal aid services of Oklahoma, Inc. for the purpose of providing legal services for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reintegration Program. Representative Anna Marshall sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 15-0.
Legal aid will be provided for the MCN Reintegration Program participants. However, it requires National Council approval before outside counsel may be obtained.
TR 22-175 Authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a grant application to the United States Department of Agriculture to benefit the food distribution program. Rep. Marshall sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
If the MCN receives the grant, the MCN will commit a leveraged resource match of $4,375.000 through the tribal appropriation. The grant proposes $17,500.00 for creating and disseminating culturally relevant nutrition education resources that encourage American Indians/Alaskan Natives to learn essential nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and healthy living.
TR 22-176 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending TR 21-073 (A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to negotiate a real estate contract and related documents for the purchase of property in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma) Representative Joseph Hicks sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
The resolution amends the property purchase of 5,453.39 acres located in Okmulgee. It will no longer expand the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources programs for future commerce opportunities.
TR 22-177 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a memorandum of understanding with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma for the shared use of courtrooms. Representative Sandra Golden sponsored the bill, unanimously adopted 15-0.
The additional courthouse space would enable the District Court to enhance and strengthen the timely and secure administration of justice to MCN citizens.
TR 22-178 Authorizing the execution of a sub-recipient contract for services – Micro Grant/Subaward containing a waiver of sovereign immunity with the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C). Rep. Golden sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 15-0.
The grant will award $39,060.00 for purchasing fourteen Panasonic Toughbooks for the benefit of the MCN Lighthorse Police Department. It will waive the Nation’s sovereign immunity in legal liabilities regarding NW3C and subject the Nation to the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
TR 22-179 Confirming the nomination of Shannon Prescott to serve as the District Trial Court Judge for the Family Law Division (Including Child Support) of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation District Trial Court. The bill was sponsored by Representative Mark Randolph and failed to be adopted 8-6, with one vote abstaining.
Although there were more votes in favor than against adopting the legislation, for the bill to be adopted, it required two-thirds of the votes from the full council.
TR 22-180 Nominating Denette Mouser to serve as the District Trial Judge of the District Trial Court Civil Division of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Rep. Randolph sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 15-0.
The bill was voted to be postponed until an emergency session can be scheduled.
TR 22-181 Amending TR 22-020 (a tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a real estate contract and related documents for the purchase of property in McIntosh County, Oklahoma). Representative Randall Hicks sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 15-0.
The bill amends the real estate property purchase to be used for the continued use of residential use, not the construction of a new gaming facility as initially outlined.
NCA 22-149 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a budget modification above ten percent (10%) for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Office of Environmental Services for FY 2022. Rep. Joseph Hicks sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 15-0.
A budget modification that exceeds ten percent requires the authorization of the National Council. MCN Environmental Services will use the change to reallocate certain excess funds for other expenses.
NCA 22-150 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the 2022 Native American Agricultural Fund Grant for the benefit of the Mvskoke Loan Fund. Rep. Randolph sponsored the bill unanimously adopted, 15-0.
The grant will award the MLF $50,000.00. It will provide the capital necessary to provide services and resources essential for Native farmers and ranchers to improve access to credit and successfully grow their agribusiness.
NCA 22-151 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the District Attorney’s Council 2022 JAG-LLE Grant Award for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police Department. Representative Thomasene Yahola Osborn sponsored the bill, unanimously adopted 15-0.
The grant will award the MCN Lighthorse Police Department $5,744.00 to purchase five body cameras, five USB docks, and five batteries.
NCA 22-152 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation appropriating funds to purchase radio equipment for various departments. The bill was sponsored by Speaker William Lowe and was co-sponsored by Rep. Golden. A substitution was unanimously adopted, 15-0.
The appropriation will provide $2,562,816.41 for purchasing L3 Harris System radios, equipment, and license for MCN Lighthorse, Health, Transit, and the Nation’s 911 Call Center.
NCA 22-153 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving the Comprehensive Annual Budget for the Fiscal Year 2023 and providing for appropriations. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the bill, which was postponed for an emergency session, 8-7.
The budget would provide appropriations and authorized expenditures for FY 2023. The National Council has conducted budget hearings for the Fiscal Year 2023 Comprehensive Annual Budget.
The meeting, agenda, and full legislation can be viewed at www.mcnnc.com.
