MVSKOKE RESERVATION – On September 9, 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 committee will be presented in the next session for full council approval.
TR 25-080 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a Memorandum of Agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation on behalf of the Nation’s Federal Roads Program for a Declaration Lane Improvement Project on U.S. Highway 75 passed with a vote of 3-0. Representative Robyn Whitecloud sponsored this legislation.
This MOU will be able to help complete roadway and bridge construction projects, the portion that was identified was on the highway near the Nation’s Capitol Complex. This MOU agreement will be able to help with competition of design, permitting, utility relocations. Bidding and construction as well as the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to help with maintenance responsibilities til completion, according to the bill.
TR 25-081 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute the University of Georgia’s Transfer Form and Care and Trust Agreement for the transfer of ownership and legal control of certain ancestors, associated and unassociated funerary objects, sacred items, and/or other items of cultural patrimony passed with a vote of 3-0. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored this legislation.
The MCN Department of Culture and Humanities is wanting to work with the University of Georgia for the transfer of ownership and legal control. According to the bill, nothing in the NAGPRA Care and Trust Agreement waives the sovereign rights of the Nation.
TR 25-082 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a Memorandum of Agreement with the county of Muskogee on behalf of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Federal Roads Program for the replacement of the South 54th Street bridge and to apply for Federal funding through the Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Transportation Bridge Program to fund the project passed with a vote of 3-0. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored this legislation.
MCN has identified an issue about the bridge located in Muskogee that is structurally deficient and hazardous to the traveling public; this bridge is in need of reconstruction.
TR 25-083 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the MCN and the City of Tulsa for the conveyance of Council Oak Park and Stickball Park passed with a vote of 3-0. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored this legislation.
According to the legislation, the City of Tulsa proposed to convey the Stickball Park and the Council Oak Park to MCN, this will be an acknowledgement that the Nation is the proper steward of these sites and that the public will benefit from the Nation’s ownership and stewardship of the Parks, according to the bill. MCN will be able to maintain and improve the Parks, so that the public will be able to learn about the importance of tribal, local, state and American History.
TR 25-084 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a grant application to the FHLBANK of Topeka Affordable Housing Program Implementation Plan for the benefit of the Department of Housing passed with a vote of 3-0. Representative Mark Randolph sponsored this legislation.
The grant application will be going towards the construction for 60 rental units located in Okemah, this is for the citizens that are under low to moderate income American Indians/Alaskan Natives.
NCA 25-081 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Temporary Bridge Program Grant for the benefit of the MCN Department of Transportation passed with a vote of 3-0. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored this legislation.
The amount of $394,000 will be going towards establishing a Temporary Bridge Program by the purchase of four temporary bridges to help support the tribal community members, according to the bill.
NCA 25-082 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of the University of Tulsa Subaward for the benefit of the Historic and Cultural Preservation Department passed with a vote of 3-0. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored this legislation.
The Historic and Cultural Preservation was awarded $60,000. These funds will be going toward their 3 year restorative project which will be in collaboration with the University of Tulsa. According to the bill, these funds will be used exactly for the digitization and rematriation of the Roberson-Worcestor Collection.
NCA 25-083 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Housing for the resident opportunity and supportive services- services coordinators (ROSS-SC) grant for the benefit of the MCN Department of Housing passed with a vote of 3-0. Rep. Randolph sponsored this legislation.
The amount of $251,702 will be going into each year for a period of three years with the grant award budget, according to the bill.
NCA 25-084 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of MCN Department of Housing’s program income funds passed with a vote of 3-0. Rep. Randolph sponsored this legislation.
This amount will be able to help MCN Department of Housing to be able to access and expend Housing program income funds.
For more information visit, www.mcnnc.com.
