OKMULGEE – The Muscogee (Creek) National Council held a quarterly session by teleconference and in-person at the Mound Building on July 26.
The MCNC addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 25-054 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving the early in person voting sites for the 2025 Muscogee (Creek) Nation Election Cycle passed with a vote of 14-0. Representative Thomasene Yahola Osborn sponsored the legislation.
The four early in-person voting sites are the Eufaula Indian Community Center, the Tulsa Indian Community Center, the Okemah Indian Community Center and the Okmulgee Indian Community Center.
TR 25-055 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute three memorandums of understanding, two with the County of Okmulgee and one with the County of Hughes, regarding the maintenance of roadways and associated rights-of-way constructed or approved by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Transportation Program passed with a vote of 14-0. Representative Robyn Whitecloud sponsored the legislation.
Each county will agree to maintain each route and right-of-way.
TR 25-056 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a memorandum of agreement with the City of Okmulgee and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for the relocation of utilities, the maintenance of roadways and associated rights-of-way constructed or approved by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Transportation Program passed with a vote of 14-0. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored the legislation.
The agreement will reconstruct roadways and improve drainage for approximately 0.4 miles on Fairgrounds Road (Route 146J) beginning near the east line of the railroad right-of-way and continuing east to the intersection of Hwy 75. According to the bill, upon completion of the project, Okmulgee County will accept full responsibility for maintenance, upkeep and repair of the road and drainage.
TR 25-057 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a memorandum of agreement with the County of Okmulgee for the maintenance of roadways and associated right-of-way constructed or approved by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Transportation Program passed with a vote of 14-0. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored the legislation.
The agreement will reclamate and overlay 3.9 miles of NTTFI Route Number 146F. The project will begin east of Hwy 56 and proceed east to the corner of Old Morris Hwy and North 280 Road in Okmulgee County. According to the bill, upon completion of the project, Okmulgee County will accept full responsibility for maintenance, upkeep and repair of the road.
TR 25-058 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a memorandum of agreement with the City of Eufaula for the maintenance of roadways and associated right-of-way constructed or approved by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Transportation Program passed with a vote of 14-0. Representative Darrell Proctor sponsored the legislation.
The agreement will remove and replace one mile of asphalt on Birkes Road, Route 186A and 0.1 miles on Industrial Drive, Route 188B. According to the bill, upon completion the City of Eufaula will be responsible for maintenance, upkeep and repair of the road.
TR 25-059 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to submit an affordable housing tax credits program, low income housing tax credit application to the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency for the benefit of the Department of Housing passed with a vote of 14-0. Rep. Cloud sponsored the legislation.
The maximum amount of 9% tax credits will be available through the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency. It will expand the supply of new, affordable rental units and renovate existing rental houses within the MCN Reservation. The Nation will apply for a $14M grant and will commit $47,000 for the application grant application fee.
TR 25-060 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving the absentee workers for the 2025 Muscogee (Creek) Nation Election Season passed 14-0. Rep. Osborn sponsored the legislation.
A total of ten absentee workers and two alternates will be utilized in the upcoming 2025 election. These workers include Lynetta Eyachabbe, Holly Dunn, Cindy Harjo, Lillian Thomas, Mona McManus, Mary Peak, Brenda Hilligoss, Rena Patterson, Diana Beasley, and Wendy Dunson. Alternates include Carolyn Billy and Janelle Proctor.
TR 25-061 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a grant application to the Department of Justice, Office of Community Policing Services (COPS), 2025 Cops Hiring Program (CHP) Grant Program for the Lighthorse Police Department passed with a vote of 14-0. Representative Dode Barnett sponsored the legislation.
The $353,683.46 will be used each year for a period of three years to hire six Lighthorse Police Officers. The Nation will match this amount for a total of $1,061,050.38.
TR 25-062 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of James Jennings to serve on the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Public Gaming Commission passed with a vote of 12-2. Rep. Golden sponsored the legislation. Representative Mark Randolph and Rep. Whitecloud opposed the bill. There was no discussion on this bill.
Jenning’s term will begin upon confirmation and end on July 26, 2029.
TR 25-063 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending TR 25-050 (A tribal resolution of the National Council of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving and authorizing the Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, LLC (“MNGE”) Board of Directors to transfer of certain real property to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation) passed with a vote of 14-0. Representative Robert Hufft sponsored the legislation.
This specifically pertains to the TAEO property. It authorizes the principal chief to submit an application for the property to be put into trust in the MCN.
TR 25-064 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Matt DuMond to serve on the Mvskoke Loan Fund Board passed with a vote of 14-0. Representative Nelson Harjo Sr. sponsored the legislation.
DuMond’s term will begin upon confirmation and end on July 26, 2028.
TR 25-065 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute all necessary documents to transfer property oversight for property located in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma to the College of Muscogee Nation passed with a vote of 14-0. Representative Anna Marshall sponsored the legislation.
The property in question is located north of Council House in downtown Okmulgee. It was originally being used for development of a MCN Cultural Center & Archives Visitor Center Department Offices and Archive Storage space.
TR 25-066 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a grant application to the national endowment for the arts for the benefit of the Office of Communications passed with a vote of 14-0. Rep. Barnett sponsored the legislation.
The $20,000 in grant funds will be used to create a screenplay about the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Trail of Tears. The Nation will match the funds provided by the grant through a tribal appropriation.
TR 25-067 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending TR 25-044 (a tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a real estate contract for the purchase of property in Elmore County, Alabama) passed with a vote of 14-0. Representative Charles McHenry sponsored the legislation.
The property is part of Tukabatchee Tribal Town, one of four mother towns to the Nation. According to the bill, the Nation intends to use the property for expanded land use.
NCA 25-058 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the United States Department of Agriculture for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Food Distribution Program passed with a vote of 14-0. Representative Mary Crawford sponsored the legislation.
According to the bill, the $230,000 grant will be used to create and disseminate culturally-relevant nutrition education resources that encourage American Indians/Alaskan Natives to learn basic nutrition, food safety, meal planning and healthy living.
NCA 25-059 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded as a pass through entity with the National Indian Health Board and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) passed with a vote of 14-0. Rep Crawford sponsored the legislation.
The $15,000 grant will be used to support Tribal health organizations in organizing COVID-19, Flu and RSV vaccine events.
NCA 25-060 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA TItle 35, Chapter 12, entitled “Donations” passed with a vote of 12-2. Representative Mark Randolph sponsored the legislation.
The law adds a $15,000 appropriation for the zOyaha Fest that will begin with the FY 2025 and end with FY 2026 Comprehensive Annual Budgets. The law states that receipts in the entire amount of the donation must be turned in within 60 days after the festival has concluded in order to be eligible for donation next year.
NCA 25-061 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the benefit of the Department of Housing passed with a vote of 14-0. Rep. Cloud sponsored the legislation.
The $31,693,897 grant will implement the FY 2025 Indian Housing Plan for the benefit of the Department of Housing.
NCA 25-062 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation repealing MCNCA Title 50, entitled “Lighthorse Police” and MCNCA Title 22, Chapter 9, entitled “Emergency Management Authority” and enacting a new MCNCA Title 50, entitled “Department of Public Safety” and amending MCNCA Title 16, Chapter 1, entitled, “organization of the executive office of the Principal Chief” passed with a vote of 14-0. Rep. Barnett sponsored the legislation.
Discussion around the bill involved the new budget figures for the department. Emergency Management Director Bobby Howard explained that the restructuring will increase public safety and improve services provided by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Fire Department. The law will permit MCN security officers on duty with proper authorization to carry a weapon. Statements on any emergencies or fires will be included in the Office of the Commissioner’s report. The Chief of Police will be permitted to create K-9, Drone, or Mounted Patrol units.
The responsibilities of the Emergency Management division have been updated to mitigate natural disasters affecting the Nation. The Emergency Operation Plan (EOP) will be updated and will document exactly how the Nation will respond to specific natural disasters. Emergency Management will receive an annual appropriation of $500,000 through the Comprehensive Annual Budget. A compliance coordinator will be designated and will serve as a liaison between emergency management and the Nation’s grant office.
NCA 25-063 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation appropriating funds to be used toward the purchase of property located in Elmore County, Alabama passed with a vote of 13-1. Rep. McHenry sponsored the legislation. Rep. Sandra Golden opposed the bill.
Rep. Golden asked Principal Chief David Hill what the property will be used for. The Council then went into executive session. The $2 million purchase agreement will include an additional $110,000 for incidental costs associated with the purchase. This includes title insurance, title opinions, surveys, environmental surveys and applicable taxes.
Other Business
Two proposed amendments to the Rules of Procedures were voted on during the quarterly session. The first amendment established a rule that people who write letters to the fact finding committee will receive a receipt that certifies that the committee has received their letter. The receipt must be issued by the council chairperson within 48 hours of receipt. If it is decided that the letter will not be addressed, the reply will convey the specific reasons why. The first amendment was approved 8-7. Rep. Cloud, Representative Joyce Deere, Representative Patrick Freeman, Rep. Golden, Rep. Hufft, Rep. Marshall and Rep. Proctor opposed the bill.
The second amendment pertained to giving council the power to confirm a contracted parliamentarian, an expert in parliamentary rules and practices. The second amendment failed with a vote of 6-8. Rep. Cloud, Rep. Deere, Rep. Freeman, Rep. Golden, Rep. Harjo, Rep. Hufft, Rep. Marshall and Rep. Proctor opposed the bill.
To view the full agenda, visit mcnnc.com.
