OKMULGEE, Okla. – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council held an emergency session via teleconference on Sept. 13.
The Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 23-096 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending TR 19-076 (A tribal resolution of the MCN 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, TR 23-045 and TR 23-066. Representative Mark Randolph sponsored the bill, which was adopted 8-4.
According to the bill, TR 19-076 needs to be amended for a donation to be made toward the S.P.I.R.I.T. and MONAA organizations for their respective Indigenous People’s Day events.
TR 23-097 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to enter into a Tribal Transportation Program (TTP) agreement with the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs. Representative Joseph Hicks sponsored the bill, which was adopted 13-0.
According to the bill, the nation believes that the TTP agreement will ensure further protection and preservation for anyone interested in tribal citizenship. The nation will maintain the stability, accountability and capability to assist those duties that are correlated with a TTP agreement.
NCA 23-101 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the United States Department of Labor for the benefit of the Veterans Affairs Services Office. Speaker William Lowe sponsored the bill, which was adopted 12-0.
The Veterans Affairs Service Office has been awarded $6,557 from the FY 23 Stand Down Event grant. Their office will use this fund to host a Stand Down event for 75 veterans.
NCA 23-102 A law of the MCN authorizing a donation to the Society to Preserve Indigenous Rights and Indigenous Treaties (S.P.I.R.I.T.) organization to financially assist with the 2023 Okmulgee Indigenous People’s Day. Representative Mark Randolph sponsored this bill, which was adopted 7-4-1.
S.P.I.R.I.T. has requested financial assistance to help with food, drinks, paper products, city permits, performer stipends and event t-shirts for its Indigenous People’s Day event. They have received a $2,000 funding source identified as interest on the permanent fund.
NCA 23-105 A law of the MCN authorizing a donation to the Muskogee Oklahoma Native American Association (MONAA) to assist with the 2023 Muskogee Indigenous People’s Day. Representative Mary Crawford sponsored the bill, which was adopted 8-4.
MONAA has hosted an Indigenous People’s Day event for the past four years. They are requesting for $2,000 in financial assistance. This is to help with their taco fundraiser and other Indigenous People’s Day events. The funding source was identified as interest on the permanent fund.
NCA 23-106 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of the U.S. Department of Health and Human services, Administration for Children and Families Tribal Child Support Enforcement Program Grant and appropriating tribal funds for the tribal match for the benefit of the MCN Office of Child Support. Rep. Randolph sponsored the bill, which was adopted 12-0.
The MCN Office of Child Support has been awarded $2,167,612 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families Tribal Child Support Enforcement Program Grant. The funding source for this bill was identified as gaming.
NCA 23-107 A law of the MCN approving the comprehensive annual budget for fiscal year 2024 and providing for appropriations. Speaker Lowe sponsored this bill, which was adopted 11-1.
The MCN National Council has reviewed the Fiscal year 2024 Comprehensive Annual Budget and has approved the executive, legislative and judicial branch budgets. This law is to approve the MCN Comprehensive Annual budget for the remainder of 2024 and to appropriate funds accordingly.
To view the full meeting, visit: mcnnc.com.
