“From my perspective as an Indigenous femme person, with Indigenous and Mvskoke values, we would be putting profit over value, profit over resources, profit over people. We would be taking more than we need. That’s an Indigenous value that we’re raised with; we only take what we need.” – Jordan Harmon
OKMULGEE – An official vote on NCA 25-077 that would establish a new data center complex on the Mvskoke Reservation has been postponed again. The legislation was scheduled to be voted on at the Muscogee Creek National Council Quarterly Session on Oct. 25. During the meeting, NCA 25-077 bill sponsor Patrick Freeman Jr. made a motion to postpone the legislation until the November Regular Session. According to Rep. Freeman during session, the motion to postpone was made in order to introduce a substitute bill. There was no discussion on the postponement, and comments regarding what might be in a substitute bill were not made. The bill was voted unanimously 14-0 in favor of postponing a vote until the next Regular Session.
A data center is a facility that houses information technology infrastructure. The demand for data centers has increased due to advancements in artificial intelligence. The Cherokee Nation currently owns a 430,000-square-ft data center located at 7400 N. Lakewood Ave in Tulsa. A new proposed data center in Tulsa was approved for zoning in September: Project Clydesdale.
If adopted into law, NCA 25-077 will establish the Mvskoke Technology and Innovation Park, or “Mvskoke Tech Park” in Okmulgee County. According to the bill, this complex will develop “digital infrastructure, software and technologies, including telecommunications, power robotics, cloud computing, blockchain, and manufacturing facilities to support internet connectivity and advancements in artificial intelligence.”
Benefits of the tech park outlined in the bill include long-term economic growth, data sovereignty protection and overall improved technology infrastructure. The name of the company behind the data center has not been released publicly.
Establishing a data center has received criticism from Mvskoke citizens. A town hall on NCA 25-077 was held at the College of Muscogee Nation on Oct. 2. The event was organized by Indigenous Environmental Network Policy Analyst – Legislative Advocate Jordan Harmon (Mvskoke) and Yardeka Indian Community Vice Chair Mackenzie Roberts (Mvskoke).
Prior to the townhall, Harmon and Roberts appeared on Mvskoke Media’s Live Wire to discuss their concerns with the impacts a data center could have on the reservation. Their goal is to make their concerns known to the National Council and to create a dialogue among citizens.
“The number one thing that I’ve heard people concerned about is the water usage,” Harmon said. “The hyperscale generative AI data centers are using massive amounts of water. Up to seven, eight, nine, even 12 million gallons a day. It has a huge impact on water resources as well as the overall habitat.”
Harmon clarified that she believes not all data centers are bad, however she and Roberts are concerned about hyperscale data centers because of the impacts they have on the environment and mass resource consumption. Roberts said data centers can increase utility costs for residential homes in nearby areas. Additionally, the resources data centers consume can potentially lead to health problems for nearby residents.
“It’s not only hurting your pocket, it’s also hurting your health.” Roberts said. “In rural communities they rely on well water. With these (data centers) they are going to get contaminated. In a lot of these other rural communities they are pouring out groundwater.”
Arthur Noquisi (Mvskoke) is a student at the College of Muscogee Nation who attended the Quarterly Session. Like Harmon and Roberts, he too is concerned about the impacts the data center might have on the land zoned for it. He believes the land could be put to better use: food sovereignty.
“The effects on natural resources as well as long-term planning. How will that benefit our people, versus what the land could be used for now for agriculture. If we’re not saving land for agriculture, what will we have left for food sovereignty?” Noquisi said.
Mvskoke Media reached out to the Executive Branch for details on the company that may be constructing Mvskoke Tech Park. According to Press Secretary Jason Salsman, no company has been contracted yet to construct the data center. Additionally, he clarified that there are no proposals yet for the data center because there is still work to be done on the feasibility to build in Okmulgee County. Salsman further clarified that although no contracts have been signed, the Nation has signed non-disclosure agreements to “facilitate the exchange of preliminary ideas during this initial phase to obtain both proposals and explore utilities.”
Salsman attested that if the data center is approved, it will be the next step in protecting data sovereignty and improving the Nation’s technology infrastructure, his statement reads,
Today, others collect, manage, and profit from our data, including through our language data, census information, and cultural records — often without our consent or oversight. It is time we reclaim control of our digital future. By developing our own data center, we ensure that the Tribe governs how our information is stored, protected, and shared. Beyond its economic impact, if this land proves to be a suitable site — and if the project is executed thoughtfully — this initiative could position our Tribe as a leader in technological innovation and digital sovereignty while upholding our commitment to environmental responsibility. The Mvskoke Technology and Innovation Park will symbolize another act of self-determination which is moving from being users of technology to being owners and stewards of it. Through land leases, revenue-sharing agreements, and vendor partnerships, the project will generate sustainable income for the Nation while attracting outside investment under our own terms. Ultimately, the Tech Park will contribute to a diversified and resilient financial portfolio for the Nation, one that strengthens the Nation and reduces reliance on gaming and federal funding.
NCA 25-077 is set to appear on the agenda of the next Regular Session on Nov. 15.
