OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – A Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council Regular Session meeting was held in person and via teleconference on June 18 at the Mound Building.
The National Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 22-088 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a contract with Echolab Inc. for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health Council Oak Comprehensive Health. Representative Robert Hufft supported the bill, which passed unanimously 14-0.
The contract provides a month-to-month payment of $550.00 by the MCNDH. It will provide dish machine sanitation equipment.
TR 22-089 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Program Contract for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Conservation District. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 14-0.
Available funds needed for the contract are $9,999. The funds will be used for a High Tunnel System at the Morris Indian Community Center to cover and protect crops.
TR 22-090 Authorizing the Principal Chief to accept property donated, acquire all necessary documents and place property into a trust. Representative Joseph Hicks sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 14-0.
The property involves 40 acres of land in Creek County that Bob Arrington donated through his will and trust documents.
TR 22-091 Authorizing the Principal Chief to accept property donated, acquire all necessary documents and place property into trust. Rep. Hicks sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 14-0.
The property involves 7.39 acres of land in Creek County that Bob Arrington donated through his will and trust documents.
TR 22-092 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a memorandum of agreement with the National Association of Conservation Districts for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Conservation District. Representative Charles McHenry sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 14-0.
The MCN Conservation District was awarded the National Association of Conservation Districts Urban Agriculture Conservation Initiative Grant of $50,000. The funds will be used to identify MCN citizens and communities in urban areas who need or desire a garden.
TR 22-093 Amending TR 21-098 (A Tribal Resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a certain agreement between Expedition Properties, LLC and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health) authorizing the Principal Chief to place property into trust. Rep. McHenry sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 14-0.
The agreement will allow the MCNDH to purchase specific real property to expand hospital services. The property to be purchased is located in Tulsa.
TR 22-096 Amending TR 21-019 (A Tribal Resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a real estate contract and related documents for the purchase of property in Okmulgee, Oklahoma) to correctly reflect entire property that was purchased by the Nation. Representative Nelson Harjo Sr. sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 14-0.
The property is located at 5401 N. Wood Drive, Okmulgee, Oklahoma.
TR 22-097 Amending TR 19-062 (A Tribal Resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to purchase property located in McIntosh County, Oklahoma) to correctly reflect the nation’s intended use for the tract of land. Representative Darrell Procter sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 14-0.
The resolution was amended to use the property in McIntosh County for a parking lot, not to increase the Nation’s land base. The land is located in Checotah.
TR 22-098 Amending TR 04-021 (A Tribal Resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to negotiate for and purchase restricted property in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, located on the western boundary of the Nation’s Tribal Headquarters in Okmulgee, Oklahoma) to correctly reflect the nation’s use for the tract of land. Rep. Harjo Sr. sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 14-0.
The resolution was amended to use the aforementioned property in Okmulgee County as a cemetery, not to increase the Nation’s land base.
TR 22-099 Authorizing the Principal Chief to renew a U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs Business Lease between the nation and U.S. Cellular for the use of an existing cellular tower located on the Nation’s Eufaula Dormitory Site. Rep. Proctor sponsored the bill, which passed 14-0.
The current Business Lease is set to expire Jul 31, 2024. The renewal will extend the lease for 15 years.
TR 22-100 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a purchase sale agreement for property located in Hughes County, Oklahoma. Rep. Cloud sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 14-0.
The property and its facilities will be used to benefit the Nation for additional office space and a courthouse. It consists of 2.755 acres.
TR 22-101 Authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a grant application to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fiscal Year 2022 Native American Business Development Institute (NABDI) Grant for the Office of the Secretary of the Nation and Commerce. Representative Sandra Golden sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 14-0.
The grant will be used for an economic development feasibility study. The study’s results will support future economic development planning to best benefit MCN citizens and the communities in which they reside.
TR 22-102 Approving a commercial sale of real estate contract for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Housing. Rep. Proctor sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 14-0.
The real estate contract will cost $2,688,000.00 and be used for six duplexes and three vacant lots in Sand Springs.
TR 22-103 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a small ambulatory program grant for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health. Representative Anna Marshall sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 14-0.
The SAP Grant will provide $2 million in federal assistance for health administration projects. The MCN will contribute $23 million of the project balance through in-kind donations of land and equipment or a cash match.
NCA 22-066 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the grant funds awarded from the Jasmyne Jack 2022 Dreamstarter Grant, Running Strong for American Indian Youth for the benefit of the Mvskoke Nation Youth Services. Representative Joyce C. Deere sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 14-0.
The grant will award MCN Youth Services $10,000. The funds will be used to provide hygiene kits and period packs to Native American Youth who are homeless or experiencing other crises. Street Outreach services will be expanded to include educational workshops, awareness events, and social media campaigns.
NCA 22-067 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living Expanding the Public Health Workforce Within the Aging Network for Tribes Grant Funds for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Elderly Nutrition and Caregiver Programs. Rep. Marshall sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 14-0.
The grant will award the MCN Elderly Nutrition and Caregiver Programs $80,000 for COVID-19 prevention for older adults with disabilities. This will include expenses for computers, printers, “Little Libraries,” group meetings, and health information periodicals.
NCA 22-068 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of funds awarded from the United States Department of Health and Human Services Indian Health Services for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health. Rep. Hufft sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 14-0.
The grant will award the MCNDH $400,000 to be used to reduce the prevalence of suicide among Indigenous populations.
NCA 22-070. A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the American Rescue Plan Act Fiscal Recovery Funding for the benefit of the tiny homes program. Rep. Cloud sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 14-0.
The principal Chief will expend $353,200 from ARPA Federal Funds. They will be used to provide operational and maintenance funding to launch the program and provide supportive housing for elderly citizens who experience short-term homelessness.
NCA 22-072 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving the FY 2023 Indian Housing Plan. Rep. McHenry sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 14-0.
The remaining IHBG funds will be forwarded to correspond with the current Indian Housing Plan.
NCA 22-073 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of Grant Funds awarded from the National Association of Conservation Districts for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation conservation district. Rep. McHenry sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 14-0.
MCN Conservation District was awarded $50,000 in grant funds. They will be used to identify citizens and Muscogee (Creek) Nation communities in urban areas who currently need or desire to create a garden and assist the citizens and communities in creating a garden while implementing conservation practices.
NCA 22-074 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation appropriating funds to purchase property in Hughs county, Oklahoma. Rep. Cloud sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 14-0.
The price of the property in question is $300,000.
NCA 22-076 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a budget modification in excess of ten percent (10%) for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Employment and Training College Work Experience Program. Rep. Deere sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously 14-0.
The budget increase will allow the College Work Experience Program to cover the cost for participants to visit the Okmulgee Monument and receive cultural enrichment from experience.
The meeting, agenda, and full legislation can be viewed at www.mcnnc.com.
