Byline: Morgan Taylor/Multimedia Producer
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – A Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council Emergency Session meeting was held on Sept. 28 at the Mound Building Auditorium.
The Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 22-149 Authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a grant application to the Department of Housing and Urban Development 2022 Indian Community Development Block grant program for Indian tribes and Alaska Native
Villages to construct a Public Facility Welcome Center and Creative Arts Center. Representative Joseph Hicks sponsored the resolution, which was adopted 14-0.
MCN has been informed of the availability of funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for a Public Facility, Welcome Center, and Creative Arts Center.
NCA 22-111 Authorizing the transfer of all assets and liabilities of the Muscogee
Nation Business Enterprise to Muscogee Nation Businesses, LLC and repealing MCNCA title 17, chapter 5, entitled “business enterprise.” Rep. Sandra Golden sponsored the Act, which was adopted 14-0.
The purpose of this Act is to authorize the transfer of all of the assets and liabilities of MNBE to MNB LLC and to repeal the MNBE Act.
NCA 22-112 Approving a Continuing Budget Ordinance and providing for appropriations and authorization for expenditures for FY 2023. Rep. Hicks sponsored the Act, which was adopted as amended 15-0.
A Continuing Budget Ordinance is needed to provide funding to all three branches of government until such time that the FY 2023 Comprehensive Annual Budget is approved by separate legislation.
NCA 22-113 enacting the “Muscogee (Creek) Nation Victim Protection and Jurisdiction Expansion Act” to implement the Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction Provisions in the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 and Amending MCNCA title 6 “Children and Family Relations,” MCNCA title 14 “Crimes and Punishment,” and MCNCA title 27 “Judicial Procedures.” Rep. Galen Cloud sponsored the Act, which was adopted 15-0.
Muscogee (Creek) Nation finds implementation of the Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction authority within the Muscogee (Creek) Reservation essential to the safety and protection of all individuals who live and work within the Reservation.
A second Emergency Session followed, addressing two additional pieces of legislation.
TR 22-150 Amending TR 19-076 (suspend all special appropriations and
donations) as amended by TR 20-150, TR 21-080, TR 22-128, and
TR 22-143 Rep. Hicks sponsored the resolution, which was adopted 14-0.
The legislation allows the Council to temporarily lift the suspension of special appropriations to fund selected donations.
NCA 22-114 Amending MCNCA title 5, § 2-115 entitled “funding” to allow donations to the Muscogee-Seminole-Wichita (MSW) Indian Baptist Association and the Oklahoma Indian Missionary conference. Rep. R. Hicks sponsored the resolution, which was adopted as amended 11-2-2. Rep. J. Hicks and Rep. Golden voted against the legislation, while Rep. Anna Marshall and Rep. Joyce Deere abstained.
The MSW Indian Baptist Association has requested financial assistance in the amount of $182,940 for renovations and repairs for its Assembly Grounds in Henryetta, and the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference has requested financial aid in the amount of $50,800 for repairs and electrical work at its Northeast Region Center in Preston, Oklahoma, and food for the 2023 OIMC Annual Conference Session.
View the meeting at www.mcnnc.com.
