MVSKOKE RESERVATION – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council held a Regular Session in person on Saturday, May 16, at the Mound Building.
The MCN National Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 26-077 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving the designation of property located in Okmulgee County for future language, cultural preservation, and educational development. Representative Dode Barnett sponsored the legislation. It was co-sponsored by Representatives Galen Cloud and Cody Phillips, and Speaker Randall Hicks. It was adopted by a vote of 15-0.
According to the law, the Okmulgee Club and Golf Course will serve as a centralized cultural campus to support offices for the Department of Culture and Humanities, language revitalization programs, cultural education, and community-based learning. This will include a Mvskoke Language Immersion School, a Speaker Center for first-language speakers, and a cultural museum. There was no discussion.
TR 26-028 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to negotiate a real estate contract and related documents for the purchase of property in Tulsa County, Oklahoma. Representative William Lowe sponsored the legislation. It was co-sponsored by Representative Robert Hufft and Rep. Phillips. It was adopted into law by a vote of 15-0.
According to the law, the property is approximately 28.49 acres and is located at the corner of West 81st and U.S. Highway 75 in Tulsa County. There was no discussion.
TR 26-029 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of William R. Norman to serve on the public gaming commission. Representative Lucian Tiger sponsored the legislation, which was postponed until the June Regular Session by a vote of 15-0.
Rep. Tiger made the motion to postpone the vote on the legislation. There was no discussion on this legislation. If confirmed, Norman will serve on the Public Gaming Commission upon confirmation and will continue to serve until Thursday, May 16, 2030.
TR 26-030 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a location use agreement between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Inclined Productions, Inc. for filming activities at the Looped Square Meat Company Property. Representative Robyn Whitecloud sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
Rep. Whitecloud made a motion to strike the language “Claude Cox Omniplex and Mvskoke Dome located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma” on line 14. The amendment was adopted 15-0. According to the resolution, Inclined Productions Inc. will have limited access to Looped Square Meat Company for filming the second season of “The Lowdown.” There was no discussion.
NCA 26-064 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a supplemental appropriation for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Energy Program for Energy Assistance related services for Fiscal Year 2026. Representative Darrell Proctor sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the law, the MCN Tribal Energy Program needs an additional $1.5 million to serve the expected 5,000 households in need of energy assistance this summer. There was no discussion.
NCA 26-065 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 Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Housing. Rep. Barnett sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the law, the $34,501,516 in grant funds will be provided to the MCN Department of Housing. There was no discussion.
NCA 26-066 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the Henry Luce Foundation Indigenous Knowledge Program Grant for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Culture and Humanities. Representative Anna Marshall sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the law, the grant will provide $100,000 for a Sacred Lands and Cultural Preservation Symposium. It will be a presentation on the collective knowledge of sacred sites preservation. It will also provide general funding for Hickory Ground elders, cultural bearers, and Ceremonial Ground Leaders to travel to universities and communities to speak on the Justice for Hickory Ground Movement. Funds will also be used to help produce a Justice for Hickory Ground documentary. There was no discussion.
NCA 26-067 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Fiscal Year 2026 Tribal Transportation (TTP) Safety Fund for the benefit of Federal Roads. Rep. Marshall sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the law, $100,000 will be used to widen the shoulder on Mission Road in Okmulgee. There was no discussion.
NCA 26-068 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of funds for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division for the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, FY 2025 Local Law Enforcement Grants for Enforcement of Cybercrimes Program. Rep. Lowe sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the law, $700,000 will be used to purchase supplies, equipment, and software to assist in the enforcement of cybercrime laws and to fund travel. There was no discussion.
NCA 26-069 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 5 § 1-105 entitled “Ceremonial traditional religion” and MCNCA Title 5 § 2-105 entitled “Ceremonial Ground land acquisition assistance.” Rep. Phillips sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the legislation, a total of $120,000 in assistance will be provided. Lease payments up to $2,000 per Ground will be provided through the Ceremonial Ground Lease Payment Assistance. There was no discussion.
NCA 26-070 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 37 § 2-118 entitled “Financial Assistance for Ceremonial Grounds and Churches” and establishing the Ceremonial Grounds/Churches Assistance Revolving Fund in Title 37, Chapter 2, Subchapter 2, entitled “Funds and Accounts.” Rep. Phillips sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the law, $1,709,000 will be provided annually from the Comprehensive Annual Budget for a revolving fund for Ceremonial Grounds/Churches Assistance. There was no discussion.
NCA 26-071 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNA Title 30, Chapter 4. Entitled “Compensation of National Council” and authorizing a supplemental appropriation to the National Council FY 26 Budget. The legislation was sponsored by Representative Sandra Golden. It was co-sponsored by Representatives Mary Crawford and James Factor, and Reps. Lowe, Marshall, Phillips, Proctor, and Tiger. It was adopted 10-5. Reps. Barnett, Cloud, and Whitecloud, and Representatives Charles McHenry and Thomasene Osborn opposed the legislation.
Rep. Whitecloud made a motion to amend the legislation to move back the effective date to January 2028. The motion failed 6-9.
According to Rep. Golden, during the discussion, a human resources consulting service was hired to investigate the median income of other Tribal legislative members in surrounding Nations within the state. Under the law, all representatives and the second speaker will earn $80,000 annually. The speaker will make $99,000 annually. Mileage will no longer be reimbursed for council members’ travel expenses. The amendment will become effective on Sunday, June 1.
NCA 26-072 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 5, § 2-115 entitled “Funding” and appropriating funds to the Ceremonial Ground and Church Grant, Ceremonial Ground Camp and Church Camp House Grant, and Emergency Assistance Programs for Ceremonial Grounds and Churches. Rep. Barnett sponsored the legislation. It was co-sponsored by Reps. Cloud, Marshall, and Phillips.
According to the law, available funds from the Passenger Van Assistance and Christmas Assistance Programs for this fiscal year will be needed to assist the churches and Ceremonial Grounds. This law will legally transfer the total sum of $1.2 million to the aforementioned programs. There was no discussion.
NCA 26-073 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending NCA 26-050 (A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing an appropriation for improvements located at the Omniplex). Rep. Lowe sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the law, a total of $720,775 will be used from the Capital Improvements Fund account for omniplex improvements. There was no discussion.
NCA 26-074 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency funding (LATCF) received from the United States Department of the Treasury for the Department of Commerce to begin the initial phase in pursuing an acquisition of a bank. Rep. Lowe sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the law, a total of $100,000 will be used for a bank acquisition. The Department of Commerce will engage with AIM Law, a bank acquisition and operations consultant. They will consult the Nation on laying the groundwork for a stable and successful banking enterprise. There was no discussion.
NCA 26-075 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a special appropriation for the cost of necessary measures related to the protection of the Muscogee Sacred Site of Hickory Ground near Wetumpka, Alabama. Rep. Proctor sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the law, a total of $650,000 will be appropriated from the Interest on Permanent Fund Account for the legal defense and public relations campaign for Ocevpofv (Hickory Ground). There was no discussion.
NCA 26-076 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending NCA 22-045 (A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Education, Tribal Education Department Grant for the benefit of the Eufaula Dormitory). Representative Lora Harjo-King sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 15-0.
According to the legislation, a total of $640,000 will be used for back-to-school dinners, staff training, computer software, playground equipment, stipends for language teachers, and Mvskoke language signage. For students, it will cover ACT test fees, college application fees, and graduation garments.
To view the full agenda, visit www.mcnnc.com.
