OKMULKE, Okv. – The Muscogee (Creek) National Council held a regular session in person on March 30.
The Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 24-031 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation (MCN) confirming the nomination of Lucinda Myers to serve on the MCN Election Board. Representative Thomasene Yahola Osborn and Representative Leonard Gouge sponsored the bill, which was adopted 14-0.
Lucinda Meyers (Mvskoke) will now serve position three on the MCN election board until May 31, 2029.
TR 24-033 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a cooperative agreement with the MCN and Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services on behalf of the MCN Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Representative Mary Crawford sponsored the bill, which was adopted 14-0.
The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services and the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program has an agreement with terms, such as no waivers of the Nation’s sovereign immunity. According to the bill, the Nation has joined forces with the state department to take on case services for citizens that are eligible for the vocational rehabilitation services program.
TR 24-034 A tribal resolution of the MCN amending TR 19-076 (A tribal resolution of the MCN to suspend all special appropriations and donations) as amended by TR 20-150, TR 21-080, TR 22-128, TR 22-143, TR 22-150, TR 22-155, TR 22-170, TR 23-045, TR 23-066, TR 23-096 and TR 24-005. Representative Mark Randolph sponsored the bill, which passed 14-0.
According to the bill, there will be a donation exception for Hickory Ground Ceremonial Ground, a one-time donation for the Muscogee (Creek) Lady Legends and a one-time special appropriation for the Okfuskee Ceremonial ground.
TR 24-035 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Bureau of Indian Affairs, on behalf of the MCN, to execute a utility Right-of-Way agreement with the city of Coweta on, over, or across certain property held USA in trust for the MCN located in Wagoner County. Rep. Randolph and Representative Charles McHenry sponsored the bill, which was adopted 14-0.
MCN now owns a property located in Section 17m Township 17 North, Range 16 East in Wagoner County, which is held by the USA in Trust for the Tribe. According to the bill, there will be a 20 year right-of-way agreement of $10,000.
TR 24-036 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a real estate contract for the purchase of property in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Representative Nelson Harjo Sr. sponsored the bill, which was adopted 14-0.
This property will be used for additional office spaces for tribal employees and will go through a real estate contract.
TR 24-037 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute an updated compact of self-governance and a multi-year funding agreement between MCN and the Secretary of the Interior. Representative Dode Barnett sponsored the bill, which was adopted 14-0.
There has been an updated Compact for FY 2024 between MCN and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. According to the bill, this will allow redesigning, reallocating funds and enhancing the effectiveness of programs, services, functions and activities.
TR 24-038 A tribal resolution of the MCN confirming the nomination of Tim Good Voice to serve on the Mvskoke Loan Fund Board. Rep. Harjo sponsored the bill, which was adopted 14-0.
Good Voice (Mvskoke) will serve on the Mvskoke Loan Board fund beginning on May 22 through May 22, 2027.
TR 24-039 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the construction of a new MCN Welcome Center for the benefit of the MCN Museum Cultural Center. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored the bill, which was adopted 14-0.
According to the bill, the new MCN facility will be located in Okmulgee, its purpose will provide educational, business and cultural activities for Mvskoke citizens that are artisans and community members.
TR 24-040 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a lease agreement with the City of Tulsa on behalf of the MCN for installing and maintaining improvements to the property for the benefit of the Nation. Representative Robert Hufft and Representative Patrick Freeman Jr. sponsored the bill, which was adopted 14-0.
There will be a lease agreement with the City of Tulsa on behalf of the MCN, its term is set for 25 years with options to renew. According to the bill, this will upgrade the Nation’s property and will allow for improvements to be made for the betterment of the Nation’s interests.
TR 24-041 A tribal resolution of the MCN 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. Rep. Harjo sponsored the bill, which was adopted 14-0.
MCN will be applying for leveraged grants in the amount of $181,815.15. According to the bill, this funding will ensure critical tribal facilities serving citizens, train and increase the skill of the tribal workforce and address any issues regarding energy infrastructure items and materials.
TR 24-042 A tribal resolution of the MCN authorizing tribally-owned real property known as the “Southern Villa Property” to be utilized for a development agreement to be negotiated with the City of Tulsa and for the benefit of the Commercial and Economic Development of the Nation. Rep. Hufft and Rep. Freeman sponsored the bill, which was adopted 14-0.
MCN has executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to prepare for the construction of the “Low-Water Dam Project”. This MOU will involve the City of Tulsa, City of Jenks and the Indian Nations Council of Governments (INCOG). This is for the Southern Villa Property that will benefit commercial and gaming development.
NCA 24-020 A law of the MCN authorizing a supplemental appropriation to the MCN Disaster Assistance Program fiscal year 2024 budget. Representative Anna Marshall sponsored the bill, which was adopted 14-0.
The MCN Disaster Assistance Program will increase funding for the Disaster Assistance budget to continue providing assistance. This will come from the gaming fund in the amount of $650,000, which will go toward the MCN Disaster Assistance Program’s FY 2024 budget.
NCA 24-021 A law of the MCN authorizing the MCN Department of Health to create a new budget for the health system and authorizing the Principal Chief to expend MCN Department of Health third party, Indian Health Service (IHS), and Opioid funds for the MCN Health System. Representative Joyce C. Deere sponsored the bill, which was adopted 14-0.
MCN Department of Health created a new budget and will receive $25,236,940 to broaden MCN healthcare services within the hospitals, clinics and programs.
NCA 24-022 A law of the MCN authorizing a donation to the KH Heavenly Corporation. Rep. Randolph sponsored the bill, which was adopted 10-4.
KH Heavenly Corporation will receive $2,000 to go toward the 4th annual KH Heavenly Rodeo. This is in memory of Kelci Howell (Mvskoke) who passed away in 2019. According to the bill, this will help bring awareness to the importance of mental health.
NCA 24-023 A law of the MCN amending MCNCA Title 5, Chapter 2 entitled “Financial Assistance” and amending MCNCA Title 37, Chapter 2 “Budget and Finance”. Rep. Randolph and Representative Robyn Whitecloud sponsored the bill, which was adopted as amended 11-3.
The legislation increases the amount of assistance, grants and programs available to Mvskoke ceremonial grounds and churches. Per comments made during the previous committee session, Rep. Randolph and Rep. Whitecloud based the legislation upon community needs assessment questionnaires sent directory to community stakeholders.
NCA 24-024 A law of the MCN authorizing a supplemental appropriation for the MCN Head Start Program fiscal year 2024 budget. Rep. Deere sponsored this bill, which was adopted 14-0.
The MCN Head Start program will receive $25,603 from the gaming fund to increase salaries and fringe line items for staff.
NCA 24-025 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of American Rescue Plan ACT (ARPA) fiscal relief funding for the purchase of real property located in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. Rep. Harjo Sr. sponsored this bill, which was adopted 13-1.
This purchase of the property will need title insurance, title opinions, surveys, environmental studies and applicable taxes. The property owner is asking $250,000 for the property, which will be purchased with ARPA funds.
NCA 24-026 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of the ARPA Fiscal Year Relief Funding and Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency funding (LATCF) received from the United States Department of the Treasury to establish a revolving fund with the Mvskoke loan fund for the fiscal relief funding of MCN instrumentalities. Rep. Harjo sponsored the bill, which was adopted 14-0.
The Mvskoke Loan Fund will receive $10,000,000 from MCN’s ARPA funds and LATCF. This will be used for the MCN Business Fund.
NCA 24-027 A law of the MCN amending MCNCA Title 37, § 2-229 Entitled “Mvskoke Loan Fund Revolving Fund Account and Loss Reserve Account” and creating a new business revolving fund account. Rep. Harjo sponsored this bill, which was adopted 14-0.
The Mvskoke Loan Fund will have both a Revolving account and Loan Loss Reserve account due to Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) guidelines.
NCA 24-028 A law of the MCN authorizing the expenditure of ARPA fiscal relief funding received from the United States Department of the Treasury for the benefit of the MCN Museum Cultural Center to establish the MCN Welcome Center. Rep. Cloud sponsored the bill, which was adopted 12-2.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, negative effects were experienced by the tribe such as losing fluent speakers and Mvskoke culture. Now, the MCN Museum Cultural Center will be receiving $4,757,979.13 to go towards the MCN Welcome Center. This will help with educational and community spaces to help with language, culture, preservation and teaching Mvskoke art.
For more information visit, www.mcnnc.com.
