National Council approves second direct assistance disbursement legislation

Morgan Taylor/Reporter

OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – A Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council Emergency Session meeting was held Nov. 30 via teleconference.

The Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:

NCA 21-145 Authorizing the expenditure of the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, ANA Native Language Preservation and Maintenance Program Funds for the benefit of the Mvskoke Language Department. Representative James Jennings sponsored the legislation, which passed 15-0.

The Mvskoke Language Department was awarded $128,118.00. The grant was awarded based on a twenty percent match of $32,030.00 from the currently appropriated budget.

The funds will be used to increase the number of Mvskoke K-12 students and other Native American K-12 students who speak the Mvskoke language.

NCA 21-150 Authorizing the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from the United States Department of the Treasury to provide a second disbursement of COVID-19 Impact Relief Individual Assistance. Rep. Lucian Tiger III sponsored the legislation, which passed 13-2.

Representative Robert Hufft made a motion to postpone to Dec. 18. The motion failed in a 6-9 vote. Reps. James Jennings, Adam Jones III, William Lowe, Anna Marshall, Darrel Proctor, Lucian Tiger III, Mary Crawford, Joyce Deere and Joseph Hicks voted against the motion.

NCA 21-150 passed with a 13-2 vote, with Reps. Travis Scott and Thomasene Yahola Osborn voting no.

The Executive Branch shall start a second disbursement of CIRIA Program Funds within 30 days of the enactment of this law. ARPA funds of $196,092,309 will be expended for the program.

The full agenda and meeting can be viewed at: www.mcnnc.com.