OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – The Muscogee (Creek) National National Council Regular Session was held at the Mound Building on Feb. 25.
The Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 23-021 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a U.S. Department of Justice, Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) Purpose Area Four-Tribal Justice System Infrastructure Program (TJSIP) grant application for the benefit of the MCN Department of Health. Representative Leonard Gouge sponsored the resolution, which was adopted 14-0.
The DOH submitted the request to apply for the grant for $1,500,000. The funds will be used toward building a 30-day treatment facility and expanding substance abuse services.
TR 23-022 A MCN resolution authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a MCN Department of Housing contract with B-V-P, LLC. Representative Charles McHenry sponsored the resolution, which was adopted 14-0.
The MCN Dept. of Housing is requesting approval for a contract with B-V-P, LLC, to construct three homes. The cost for the work on the three homes comes in total to $791,000.
TR 23-023 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a grant notification letter and special conditions with the National Policing Institute and the Bureau of Justice Assistance for the Rural Violent Crime Reduction Initiative for the benefit of the MCN Lighthorse Police Department. Representative Mark Randolph sponsored the resolution, which was adopted 14-0.
The grant funds of $113,182 will be used to help rural agencies support their crime reduction efforts.
TR 23-024 Authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a Department of Energy, Grid Deployment Office, National Energy Technology Laboratory, BIL – Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid Formula Grants to states and Indian tribes for the benefit of the MCN Tribal Utility Authority . Representative Joseph Hicks sponsored the resolution, which was adopted 14-0.
The grant will ensure that critical Tribal facilities serving citizens are not impacted by disruptive events such as extreme weather, fire, floods, or other outage events. It will implement new and improved controls, automation, communications technology, and infrastructure. It will also train and increase skills of the tribal workforce while addressing the needs of the tribal communities’ energy infrastructure.
The NC has approved a leverage match in the amount of $271,137 if awarded in separate legislation.
The application proposal amounts to $1,807,580.
NCA 23-002 Authorizing the expenditure of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fiscal Year Recovery Funds for the purchase and creation of a Mvskoke Language video game. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored the legislation, which failed 7-8. Speaker William Lowe voted against the legislation in the swing vote. Representatives Joyce Deere, Sandra Golden, Nelson Harjo Sr., Joseph Hicks, Randall Hicks, Anna Marshall, and Darrell Proctor voted against the bill.
MCN and SoundPuzzle are partnering to create a video game using the Mvskoke language. The project’s total cost is 3.7 million.
When first presented in prior legislation, the NC approved a $2.2 million budget for the game’s most basic package. The budget increase would have allowed the game to have more features.
NCA 23-010 Establishing the Muscogee Nation Resource Center Revolving Fund for various activities of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Resource Center Office. Representative Mary Crawford sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 14-0.
The center can generate income from rental and leasing opportunities from outside sources. The account will allow funds to be paid to the center as well as for the center to expend them.
NCA 23-011 Authorizing the expenditure of funds awarded from the Department of Health and Human Services for the Muscogee Nation Department of Health 988 Tribal Response Project. Representative Leonard Gouge sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 14-0.
The award of $825,000 will be used to improve response times to 988 calls, texts and chats. It will ensure that Native people have culturally, competent, and trained support as well as connections to appropriate resources.
NCA 23-012 A MCN Law authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Dept. of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation for the benefit of the Office of Environmental S ervices. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 14-0.
The Office of Environmental Services was awarded the Indian Tribal Water Resources Development, Management and Protection Grant in the amount of $200,000. The grant funds will be used to restore a five-acre pond located on the Dustin Cattle Farm in Hughes County. It will reintroduce native plant species, with an emphasis on pollinator plants to attract important species to the area.
NCA 23-013 A MCN Law authorizing supplemental appropriation for the MCN Risk Management – Arbor Care Services Fiscal Year 2023. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored the legislation, which was adopted as amended, 13-1. Represenative Randall Hicks voted against the bill.
The original amount of $735,187 was amended to $748,445.
The supplemental appropriation will cover the salaries for new positions, and provide additional increases throughout the budget to accomplish the work load requests.
NCA 23-014 Authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the National Policing Institute for the benefit of the MCN Lighthorse Police Department. Representative Mark Randolph sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 14-0.
The Act will allow the LPD to expend grant funds from bill TR 23-023.
The full legislation can be viewed at www.mcnnc.com.
