OKMULGEE, Okla. – A Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council Regular Session meeting was held in person and teleconference June 17 at the Mound Building.
The National Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
NCR 23-001 A resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) National Council selecting Jeremy Larney to serve on the Muscogee Nation Businesses, LLC (MNB, LLC) Board of Directors. Speaker William Lowe sponsored the bill, which was adopted 13-2.
Larney’s term will last until June 17, 2026.
NCR 23-002 A resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) National Council observing July 9, 2023 as Muscogee (Creek) Nation Sovereignty Day. Speaker Lowe sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
While July 9 is recognized as the official sovereignty day, the tribe will observe the following day, July 10 as a holiday. The bill states that the council encourages communities to partake in celebrations related to sovereignty day either on July 9, or July 10.
TR 23-052 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to execute a purchase sale agreement for property located in Muskogee County, Oklahoma. Representative Mary Crawford sponsored the bill, and Representative Joyce C. Deere co-sponsored it. The bill was adopted unanimously, 15-0.
The property and its facilities will be used for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health. The negotiated purchase price of the property is $23,000,000.
TR 23-054 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the construction of a new building known as the Housing Annex and Payment Center for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Housing and authorizing the principal chief to execute a contract with Emeritus Contractors. The bill was sponsored by Representative Charles McHenry, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
The MCN Department of Housing needs a new building to house accounts receivable clerks and the elderly housing administrative staff. The proposed building will be 2,816 square feet and will in total cost $1,000,000.
TR 23-059 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Nolen Robinson Jr. to serve on the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Election Board. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Crawford, and was unanimously adopted 15-0.
Robinson will serve on the MCN Election Board until May 31, 2028.
TR 23-060 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to execute an equipment lease agreement with Pitney Bowes for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health. Rep. Crawford sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
The lease agreement would allow the nation to improve hospital and clinic administrative and patient services delivery efficiencies.
TR 23-062 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 TR 20-150, TR 21-080, TR 22-128, TR 22-143, TR 22-150, TR 22-155, TR 22-170 and TR 23-045. Representative Anna Marshall sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 15-0.
The resolution will include special appropriations for the aforementioned bills that include donations to various Indigenous organizations and Mvskoke communities.
TR 23-063 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving the sale of beer and liquor at Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s Looped Square Meat Co. Representative Randall Hicks sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
All liquor and beer outlet locations are subject to the Nation’s jurisdiction prior to the tax commission issuing licenses to said locations.
TR 23-064 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to execute a contract for the purchase of property located in Tulsa County, Oklahoma. Representative Robert Hufft sponsored the bill and it was co-sponsored by Representative Leonard Gouge. The bill was unanimously adopted 15-0.
The property in question is Tall Grass Office Park and its facilities will be used to benefit MCNDH for administrative office space. The property will be paid by the American Rescue Plan Act funds.
TR 23-065 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation respectfully urging the Oklahoma State Legislature to override the vetoes of Oklahoma House Bill 1005 and Senate Bill 26. Representative Mark Randolph sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
Oklahoma State House Bill 1005 would extend any tribe’s existing and newly expired vehicle tag compacts until December 31, 2024. Oklahoma Senate Bill 26 would extend any tribe’s existing and newly expired tobacco compacts until December 31, 2024.
TR 23-066 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 TR 20-150, TR 21-080, TR 22-128, TR 22-143, TR 22-150, TR 22-155, TR 22-170, and TR 23-045. Rep. Randolph sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 15-0.
This bill will account for an additional one-time special appropriation for Muscogee (Creek) elders if NCA 23-052 is enacted and a one-time special appropriation to the Amer-I-Can Organization if NCA 23-066 is enacted.
TR 23-067 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to execute a temporary operating permit with Entertaining Angels for the operation of one temporary fireworks sales facility on tribal trust land. Representative Cloud sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 15-0.
Entertaining Angels will use the temporary fireworks stand to raise funds to provide basic supplies and necessities for daily living for those that are less fortunate.
NCA 23-036 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 14, Subchapter 3, §1-309 entitled “Extradition of Defendants Subject to other Jurisdiction”. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
The bill will amend the nation’s criminal code to establish a protocol for extraditing a person from the nation. It will also establish code for when the nation demands to extradite a person back to the nation from the state, territory or Indian tribe to face prosecution.
NCA 23-048 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 35, § 14-102 entitled “Annual appropriation” and authorizing a supplemental appropriation to the Mvskoke Nation Youth Services Fiscal Year 2023 budget. Speaker Lowe sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
The bill states there is a need to increase the yearly appropriation amount and to appropriate funds for this fiscal year. The appropriation will provide $264,000 to be included in the comprehensive annual budget beginning in the fiscal year 2024.
NCA 23-049 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a budget modification in excess of ten percent (10%) for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation tribal utility authority’s FY 2023 Self Governance Budget. Representative Joseph Hicks sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 15-0.
The bill states that the MCN Tribal Utility Authority is making a budget modification request to reallocate certain funds for other necessary expenses.
NCA 23-050 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for the construction of an annex and payment building for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Housing. Rep. McHenry sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
The bill states that the $1,000,000 annex and payment center building is necessary due to the growth of MCNDOH. It will allow the department the opportunity to be more efficient when providing services to citizens.
NCA 23-051 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving the FY 2024 Indian Housing Plan. Rep. Joseph Hicks sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
The bill states that the purpose of the act is to approve the plan for the MCN Department of Housing and Urban Development. The remaining IHBG funds will be forwarded to correspond with the current Indian Housing Plan.
NCA 23-052 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a special appropriation to assist Muscogee (Creek) Elders attending the National Indian Council on Aging, Inc. (NICOA) Conference. Rep. Marshall sponsored the bill and it was co-sponsored by Rep. Crawford, and Rep. Hufft. It was unanimously adopted 15-0.
The elders attending the trip will receive $37,891.24 for transportation and lodging expenses.
NCA 23-053 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending NCA 22-142 (A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 15 Chapter 1 entitled Official Honor Guard to Establish a Women’s Honor Guard and appropriating funds for the Este Cate Hoktvke Suletawv Honor Guard). Rep. Marshall sponsored the bill and it was cosponsored by Rep. Gouge. It was adopted 14-1.
The bill will provide a recreational vehicle that will allow the women’s honor guard to save funds due to the costly expenses of hotel rooms and meals.
NCA 23-059 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a supplemental appropriation to the post-graduate education and scholarship revolving fund. Rep. Hufft sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
The bill will appropriate $113,000 to replenish the post-graduate education and scholarship revolving fund.
NCA 23-060 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the U.S. Department of Treasury Community Development Financial Institutions Fund Assistance Agreement Grant for the benefit of the Mvskoke Loan Fund. Rep. Randolph sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
The bill will authorize the expenditure of $746,000 for the Mvskoke Loan Fund.
NCA 23-062 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 37, Chapter 3, entitled “Employees”, to amend the minimum hourly wage for employees of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Representative Thomasine Yahola Osborne sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
MCN’s current minimum wage is $10.15 per hour, the bill would raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour over the next fiscal year.
NCA 23-063 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the American Rescue Plan Act Fiscal Recovery Funding for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health. Rep. Hufft sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
The bill will appropriate $29,732,310 in ARPA funds to assist with issues regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and to support the long-term health and well being of the nation’s citizens.
NCA 23-065 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending NCA 22-051 (A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing an appropriation for the construction of the Glenpool Creek Indian Community Center). Rep. Hufft sponsored the bill and it was co-sponsored by Rep. Gouge. The bill was adopted unanimously 15-0.
The bill will deduct the amount paid for the recently purchased property and will allow funds to be used for the renovations for the new community center and the old community center. It will appropriate $1,695,360 for the new center.
NCA 23-066 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a donation to Native Amer-I-Can for the zOyaha (Children of the Sun) Festival 2023. Rep. Randolph sponsored the bill, which was adopted 11-4.
The first zOyaha (Children of the Sun) Festival will take place Aug. 5 in Glenpool, Okla. According to the bill, the festival will celebrate Euchee identity, language and culture and give others the opportunity to recognize the Euchee as their own entity and as their own tribe.
The meeting, agenda, and full legislation can be viewed at www.mcnnc.com.
Thank you for the information.