OKMULGEE, Okla. – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council held the monthly Land, Natural Resources, and Cultural Preservation Committee session at the Mound Building on May 9.
Passed legislation is subject to Full Council approval during the Regular Session held the last Saturday of each month.
The committee addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 23-044 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a Transfer of Control NAGPRA Agreement for Ancestors and Funerary objects from the Moundville Archaeological Site with the University of Alabama. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
The University will transfer the control of 10,245 individuals and 1,520 associated funerary objects to the MCN and six other tribes, pursuant to the joint repatriation claim made on June 11, 2021 with the Alabama Quassarte, Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, Seminole Tribe of Florida, Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation, and Seminole Nation.
TR 23-046 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Alabama Quassarte Tribal Town, Kialegee Tribal Town and Thlopthlocco Tribal Town for the Method of Allocation for the Nation’s Proportional Share of funding for Housing and Urban Development funds and FY 2024 Indian Housing Block Grant. Representative Charles McHenry sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
Service areas are overlapping for determining the needs portion of the Indian Housing Block Grant Formula. HUD communicated that if the Nations and Tribal Towns can’t agree on a method of allocation, the HUD will choose for them.
The Nation and tribal towns agree it is in their best interests for HUD to use enrollment for receiving their proportional share of needs for the grant.
TR 23-047 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a First Amendment to the Memorandum of Agreement among the U.S Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District; Federal Railroad Administration or other U.S. Department of Transportation Agency; Palmetto Railways; Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; Muscogee (Creek) Nation; the South Carolina State Historic Preservation Officer; and the South Carolina State Ports Authority regarding the Navy Base Intermodal Facility Project in Charleston County, South Carolina. Rep. Cloud sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
The MOA is intended to help mitigate any adverse effects on historic properties in the area. The South Carolina State Ports Authority is taking over ownership of the Navy Base Intermodal Facility Project.
TR 23-048 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Housing Contract with Harris Contractors. Rep. Cloud sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
The contract will build one home for the cost of $298,617 from the NAHASDA Homeownership funds.
TR 23-049 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Housing Contract with Emeritus Contractors. Rep. McHenry sponsored the legislation, which was postponed indefinitely 4-0.
The contract would build a Housing Annex and Payment Center for the total of $1 million from the IHBG CARES Act funds.
NCA 23-034 Authorizing a budget modification in excess of ten percent for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Realty/Trust Department FY 2023 Budget. Rep. McHenry sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
The Department is making this request to reallocate certain funds for other necessary expenses.
NCA 23-035 Amending NCA 23-013 (Authorizing Supplemental Appropriation for the MCN Risk Management – Arbor Care Services Fiscal Year 2023). Rep. Cloud sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
It was amended to read, “Said funding for the vehicle shall carry forward until purchase is complete and all”. Unexpended funds appropriated by the implementation of the Act shall be returned to the Tribal Treasury and shall be available for future appropriation by the National Council. The bill will appropriate $748,445.00 from the Gaming Fund Account.
For more information visit, www.mcnnc.com.
