OKMULGEE, Okla. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council held a Business, Finance and Justice committee meeting on July 20.
The Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in bills:
TR 23-071 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Zechariah Harjo to serve as the Secretary of the Nation for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Representative Thomasene Yahola Osborn sponsored this legislation, which passed 3-0. This will be presented to the full council at the Regular Session.
Zechariah Harjo will serve as the secretary of the nation for the MCN through the beginning of his term upon confirmation and ending concurrent with the term of the current Principal Chief. MCN will authorize the nomination of the Secretary of the Nation through the Principal Chief, then confirmed by the National Council.
NCA 23-038 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to amend article VI, section 2; and subsection (A) of the Constitution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation by deleting both at-large voting and at-large representations, and replacing it with eligible registered district voting (resident and absentee) and district representation pertaining to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council. Speaker William Lowe sponsored this legislation, which was postponed indefinitely 3-0.
According to the bill, citizens are requested to make an amendment to the constitution which will eliminate at-large voting and return to district voting for National Council representatives. Eligible voters (resident and absentee) would only be able to vote for candidates in their district.
NCA 23-069 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a supplemental appropriation to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation office of child support enforcement for fiscal year 2023. Representative Randall Hicks sponsored this legislation, which was passed 3-0. This will be presented to the full council at the Regular Session.
MCN Office of Child Support Enforcement (CSE) is requesting $75,000 for the fiscal year 2023 to continue providing child support services within the Nation. The funds will be used to cover operational costs, purchase updated equipment, as well as strengthen the existing secure network.
NCA 23-070 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA title 16, chapter 8 entitled “Office of the Secretary of the Nation and Commerce” and creating a new chapter 11 entitled, “Secretary of Commerce”. Rep. Osborn sponsored this legislation, which passed 3-0. This will be presented to the full council at the Regular Session.
The Secretary of the Nation is appointed by the Principal Chief with confirmation by the National Council. The Secretary of the Nation will be a cabinet-level position and appointed office of the MCN. There are qualifications that will need to be met for this position.
NCA 23-046 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation establishing a new title 16, chapter 4, entitled “culture and humanities department” and appropriating funds. Representative Galen Cloud, along with co-sponsors Representatives Leonard Gouge and Joseph Hicks sponsored this legislation, which passed 3-0. This will be presented to the full council at the Regular Session.
This funding source was approved.
NCA 23-047 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation appropriating funds to create the Mvskoke Language Liaison Program. Rep. Cloud, along with co-sponsors Rep. Gouge and Joseph Hicks sponsored this legislation, which passed 3-0. This will be presented to the full council at the Regular Session.
This funding source was approved.
NCA 23-068 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a donation to the Holdenville Fire Department. Representative Anna Marshall sponsored this legislation, which passed 3-0. This will be presented to the full council at the Regular Session.
This funding source was approved.
To view the full meeting, visit mcnnc.com.
