OKMULKE, Oklv. – The Muscogee (Creek) National Council held a quarterly session by teleconference and in person at the Mound Building on July 27.
The MCNC addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 24-079 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to apply for grant funds from the Administration for Children and Families Office of Head Start and commit a tribal match. Representative Mary Crawford sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 14-0.
Funding will go toward operational training and technical assistance for fiscal years 2025 through 2029. The council will authorize a commitment match of $1,163,183 for a total of $2,969,280 per year for five consecutive years. There was no discussion on the legislation.
TR 24-080 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to execute a Master Network Pharmacy Agreement with Assistrx, Inc. for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health. Representative Thomasene Yahola Osborn sponsored the legislation, which was unanimously adopted 14-0.
The agreement will allow the MCNDH to bill and be reimbursed for COVID-10 treatment purchases. There was no discussion on the legislation.
TR 24-081 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to execute an attorney-client professional services agreement with the law firm of Gablegotwals for legal services on behalf of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Rep. Yahola Osborn sponsored the legislation, which was unanimously adopted 14-0.
Services provided by Gablegotwals will include advice, consultation, and any necessary legal services. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 24-082 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Timothy Hicks to serve as the Secretary of Health of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Rep. Crawford sponsored the bill, which narrowly failed to adopt 6-8. Representative Nelson Harjo, Representative Anna Marshall, Representative Charles McHenry, Rep. Yahola Osborn, Representative Mark Randolph, Representative Robyn Whitecloud, Representative Dode Barnett and Representative Galen Cloud voted against the bill.
During discussion Representative Robert Hufft and Rep. Harjo remarked that they received phone calls from tribal employees who were in favor of Hicks’ nomination and phone calls from some who were against it. Rep. Harjo cited one of the reasons many employees were against the nomination was that Hicks had not served enough time to be qualified for the position. Rep. Barnett questioned Principal Chief David Hill, who was present, why there was only one candidate interviewed to be nominated. Chief Hill replied that he simply only had one person in mind for the position, and that he did not want to wait any longer during the nomination process.
TR 24-083 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to execute a separate Memorandum of Understanding with Five Oklahoma Schools for the maintenance of parking lots and associated rights-of-way constructed or improved by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Transportation Program. The legislation was sponsored by Representative Darrell Proctor, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
The inventory in question includes public parking lots in Dewar, Morris, Wainwright, Hanna and Oktaha schools. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 24-084 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for the maintenance of roadways and associated rights-of-way constructed or improved within Wagoner, Okfuskee and Okmulgee counties in Oklahoma by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation tribal transportation program. Rep. Randolph sponsored the legislation, which was unanimously adopted 14-0.
The inventory in question includes improvements to roadways in Wagoner, Okfuskee, and Okmulgee counties. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 24-085 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation supporting the addition of new routes, as identified in Attachment “A” – MCN NTTFI 2025, to the Nation’s existing National Tribal Transportation Facility Inventory and requesting the Bureau of Indian Affairs add these new routes to the Nation’s National Tribal Transportation Facility Inventory. Rep. Randolph sponsored the legislation, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 24-086 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving the update of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Long Range Transportation Plan with the addition of the routes listed as Attachment “A” – MCN NTTFI 2025. Rep. Randolph sponsored the legislation, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 24-087 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to execute a separate memorandum of understanding with nine Oklahoma counties for the maintenance of roadways and associated rights-of-way constructed or improved by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Transportation Program. Rep. Cloud sponsored the legislation, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
Counties that will execute a MOU with the Nation include Rogers, Mayes, Wagoner, Creek, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Muskogee, McIntosh and Seminole. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 24-088 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to execute a separate Memorandum of Understanding with ten Oklahoma cities for the maintenance of roadways and associated rights-of-way constructed or improved by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Transportation Program. Rep. Cloud sponsored the legislation, which was unanimously adopted 14-0.
Cities that will execute a MOU with the Nation include Inola, Bristow, Clearview, Okmulgee, Dewar, Grayson, Winchester, Morris, Muskogee, and Eufaula. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 24-089 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to apply for federal funding through the Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Transportation Bridge Program to fund twenty-one replacement bridges within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Representative Whitecloud sponsored the legislation, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
The MCN Transportation Department will reconstruct these bridges because they have been deemed structurally deficient and a hazard to public travel. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 24-090 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a real estate contract for the purchase of property in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored the legislation, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
According to the bill, the Nation intends to “utilize the property to further expand on land use”. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 24-091 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Trenton Kissee to serve as the Secretary of the Interior Affairs of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. The legislation was sponsored by Rep. Cloud and cosponsored by Rep. Proctor. It was adopted unanimously 14-0.
Kissee’s term will begin upon confirmation and end concurrent with the term of the current principal chief. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 24-093 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation assumption of transportation functions under the “Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act of 2021” (STRA-21), also colloquially known as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” and approving the issuance of a notice of intent to Federal Highway Administration and Bureau of Indian Affairs. Rep. Cloud sponsored the legislation, which was unanimously adopted 14-0.
According to the legislation, the Nation believes that establishing a comprehensive transportation program will “further the long-term interests of the tribe and afford greater flexibility and control to prioritize transportation needs, and permit our government to utilize flexible financing arrangements available by law to speed the development of transportation infrastructure.” There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 24-094 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to submit a U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance FY 2024 Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to support law enforcement agencies grant application for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police Department. Rep. Barnett sponsored the legislation, which was unanimously adopted 14-0.
According to the legislation the purpose of the grant is to “expand a Body-Worn Camera Program to reduce the use of force by assisting in the de-escalation of conflicts.” Body-worn cameras have been utilized by Lighthorse Police Department officers since 2020. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 24-095 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Geraldine (Geri) Wisner to serve as the Attorney General of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Barnett, and failed to adopt by a wide margin of 3-11.
Rep. Barnett, Rep. Cloud, Rep. Crawford, Rep. Deere, Rep. Freeman, Rep. Golden, Rep. Hufft, Rep. Marshall, Rep. Proctor, Rep. Randolph, and Rep. Whitecloud voted against the legislation. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 24-096 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to execute an updated compact of self-governance for the purpose of amending the multi-year funding agreement between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the United States of America. Rep. Harjo sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
The modification of the agreement will amend the MFA to incorporate the fiscal year 2024 reprogramming request from the office of self governance. There was no discussion on this legislation.
TR 24-097 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to execute a real estate contract for the purchase of property in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored the bill, which was adopted nearly unanimously 13-1. Rep. Golden was the lone dissent in voting against the bill.
According to the legislation, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation intends to buy the property located at 1400 S. Wood. Dr. to utilize it as a healthcare clinic. Rep. Yahola Osborn commented that although she initially voted against the legislation in committee, she supported it in the full council vote because she believed it served the best interest of the Nation. Hicks identified the funding source as third party funding.
NCA 24-079 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts Cooperative Agreement Grant Reimbursement Award for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Conservation District. Rep. Randolph sponsored the legislation, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
According to the bill, the MCN Conservation District will receive $37,500 in grand funds to support the production and marketing of climate-smart commodities. There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 24-080 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fiscal Relief funding and Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Housing Program income funds to be used toward the purchase of property located in Okmulgee, County, Oklahoma. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored the legislation, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
The MCN Department of Housing will provide $96,930.73 for the property purchase in addition to $323,069.27 from ARPA funds. An additional $15,384 in ARPA funds will be expended, along with $4,616 in funds from housing. There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 24-081 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a budget modification in excess of ten percent (10%) for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Realty/Trust Department for FY 2024 Budget. Rep. Cloud sponsored the legislation, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
According to the legislation, the budget modification will reallocate certain funds for other necessary expenses for supplies, contractual, fees, training and travel line items. There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 24-082 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women for Reimbursement. Rep. Harjo sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
According to the bill, a total of $66,071 in grant funds will be used to reimburse the Nation for detaining, or providing personal services for persons charged with covered crimes expenses incurred in exercising “Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction” over non Indians who commit certain covered crimes in Indian Country. There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 24-083 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending Title 14, Chapter 1 Subchapter 3 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Laws of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to remove the time limitation for prosecution of certain crimes. Rep. Harjo sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 14-0.
The legislation amends prosecution for rape and forcible sodomy to homicide where the crime can be charged at any time after the death of the person killed. It adds prosecution for specific crimes against a minor and specific sex crimes. There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 24-084 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Energy State and Community Energy Programs for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Utility Authority. Rep. Randolph sponsored the legislation, which was unanimously adopted 14-0.
According to the bill, the grant expenditure will provide $42,290 to train appropriate tribal staff in energy management practices with the intended outcome of enabling the obtainment of the Certified Energy Manager certification. There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 24-085 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of third-party funds from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health to be used toward the purchase of property located in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored the legislation, which was adopted nearly unanimously 13-1. Rep. Golden was the lone dissent in voting against the bill.
According to the legislation the Council will expend $1,950,000 to cover the asking price of the property owner. There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 24-086 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation creating new law in MCNCA Title 30 Chapter 2, entitled “Legislative Districts” to name the Muskogee district boundary jurisdiction to Mvskoke District. Rep. Crawford sponsored the legislation, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
According to the legislation, the Nation wishes to change the current name for the Muskogee boundary jurisdiction to incorporate the Muscogee language. When the bill was opened to discussion, Rep. Deer requested to be listed as a co-sponsor on the legislation, which was approved.
NCA 24-087 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the State of Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management FY 2024 Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant and appropriating tribal funds for a tribal match for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Emergency Management Department. Rep. Crawford sponsored the legislation, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
The legislation will expend $171,268.84 and will be matched with $88,229.40 from the Nation. According to the legislation the funds will be used to update and replace five early warning sirens throughout the Nation’s reservation. Two will be installed in Okmulgee, one will be installed in Cromwell and another in Coweta. The tribal match funding source will come from the gaming fund account.
NCA 24-088 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending NCA 23-004 (A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security FY 2021 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Grant for the benefit of the Emergency Management Department). Rep. Crawford sponsored the legislation, which was unanimously adopted 14-0.
The MCN Emergency Management Department received an amended award that will provide $1,206,666.67 for the MCN Storm Shelter Program. There was no discussion on this legislation.
NCA 24-089 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 2024. Rep. Crawford sponsored the legislation, which was unanimously adopted 14-0.
A supplemental appropriation will provide $624,000 for the program to cover marketing and outreach event costs. There was no discussion on this legislation.
To view the full agenda, visit mcnnc.com.
