MVSKOKE RESERVATION – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council held a regular session in person on Sept. 28 at the Mound Building.
The MCN National Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 24-110 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Pandee Ramirez to serve on the College of the Muscogee Nation Board of Regents was adopted with a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Representative Anna Marshall. There was no discussion.
During pre-agenda discussion, MCN citizen Ramirez spoke before council stating that she has been affiliated with CMN on the Board of Regents for over 20 years and is proud of her work with the college, its students, and its continued growth.
TR 24-111 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the construction of five new buildings for the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Program was adopted with a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Representative Charles McHenry. There was no discussion.
The project consists of five new buildings and other associated site elements and supporting infrastructure. The project includes one Agricultural Youth Barn, a teaching greenhouse/aquaponics facility, three commercial greenhouses, and a covered archery pavilion.
TR 24-112 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving the Final Plat Oak Acres and authorizing the Principal Chief to execute the Oak Acres owner’s certification, deed of dedication, and restrictive covenants was adopted with a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Representative Robyn Whitecloud. There was no discussion.
Oak Acres is a tract of land owned by the Nation in Okmulgee County which has been surveyed, staked, and platted. In order to develop the property known as Oak Acres the Nation must submit a Final Plat to the Board of County Commissioners for Okmulgee County for approval.
TR 24-113 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending TR 19-076 (a tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to suspend all special appropriations and donations) as amended by TRS 20-150, 21-080, 22-128, 22-143, 22- 150, 22-155, 22-170, 23-045, 23-066, 23-096, 24-005, 24-095 and 24-104) was adopted with a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Rep. Whitecloud. There was no discussion.
TR 19-076 suspended all special appropriations and donations in 2019 with the temporary closure of River Spirit Casino and Resort. This amendment allows for a one-time donation to the Indigenous Peoples Association (IPA).
TR 24-114 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation establishing tribal membership in the National Congress of American Indians was adopted with a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Representative Sandra Golden. There was no discussion.
Tribal funds in the amount of $30,000 are authorized for membership 2024-2025 in the NCAI. Principal Chief David Hill is the delegate to the congress. Alternative delegates are Second Chief Del Beaver, Speaker Randall Hicks, and Second Speaker Thomasene Yahola Osborn.
TR 24-116 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute FY 2025 105(l) renewal lease agreements with the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Citizenship Office was adopted with a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Rep. Whitecloud. There was no discussion.
The lease agreements were negotiated to offset tribal expenses incurred in the delivery of “member services” for FY 2025.
TR 24-117 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving and authorizing the Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, LLC (“MNGE”) Board of Directors to execute the construction manager agreement with Thompson Construction, Inc was adopted with a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Representative Robert Hufft. There was no discussion.
The MNGE Operating Agreement specifies that the board of directors must obtain authorization from the MCNC to enter into a contract for the construction of buildings on a project that will exceed $1,000,000.
NCA 24-096 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to amend article IV and article VI of the Constitution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to re-establish district voting was postponed until October. It was sponsored by Representative Darrell Proctor and co-sponsored by Representative Anna Marshall.
During the decision it was noted that several council members were absent and unable to vote on the legislation.
NCA 24-100 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving and authorizing the Principal Chief to execute and file the Articles of Organization with the Office of the Secretary of the Nation to form “Muscogee Capital Fund, LLC” and “Muscogee Equity Fund, LLC” under the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Limited Liability Company Act; and approving the operating agreement for “Muscogee Capital Fund, LLC”; and approving a service agreement between “Muscogee Capital Fund, LLC” and Development Capital Network (DCN) to manage “Muscogee Capital Fund, LLC”; and approving the operating agreement for “Muscogee Equity Fund, LLC”; and approving a service agreement between “Muscogee Equity Fund, LLC” and Cimarron Capital Associates II, LLC (CCAII) to manage “Muscogee Equity Fund, LLC” was adopted with a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Representative Nelson Harjo, Sr. There was no discussion.
NCA 24-101 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation establishing the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Commerce Small Business Support Revolving Fund in MCNCA TITLE 37 § 2-236 was adopted with a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Rep. Harjo Sr. There was no discussion.
This legislation establishes a revolving fund account for the MCN Department of Commerce not subject to fiscal year limitations and under the directions of the Office of the Controller.
NCA 24-104 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Institute of Museum and Library Services in the amount of $10,000 for the benefit of the College of the Muscogee Nation was adopted with a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Rep. Marshall. There was no discussion.
The College of the Muscogee Nation was awarded a 2024 Native American Library Services Grant. The grant funds will be used to purchase 10 laptops for student use and 46 new books and materials.
NCA 24-105 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending NCA 23-043 (a law of The Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of fiscal relief funding for the benefit of The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Education Department) was adopted with a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Representative Joyce C. Deere. There was no discussion.
This legislation amends NCA 23-043 by adding State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). It also adds a supplemental payment for higher education and technical students to receive support as well as a one time mini-grant for public school districts within the reservation.
NCA 24-106 A law of The Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending NCA 23-160 (A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a supplemental appropriation for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Citizenship Office’s FY 2024 budget) was adopted with a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Rep. Deere. There was no discussion.
This legislation amends NCA 23-160, striking that unused funds will be returned to the tribal treasury and adding that the said funds shall be available until expended. The funds were appropriated for legal counsel for the MCN Citizenship Board. According to comments made during discussion by Nathan Wilson, MCN Citizenship Director, the litigation is ongoing and the remaining funds are estimated to be $90,000.
NCA 24-107 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds in the amount of $25,000 awarded from the U.S. Department of Education for the benefit of the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program and appropriating funds was adopted in a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Rep. Crawford. There was no discussion.
The Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program was awarded a 2025-2030 Rehabilitation Services American Indians with Disabilities Grant. According to Kaila Harjo from the Department of Education and Training, the funding allows for community education pop-up outreach events.
NCA 24-108 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds in the amount of $1,013,627 awarded from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Information Technology Department was adopted in a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Rep. Cloud. There was no discussion.
The grant funds will allow the MCN IT Department to comprehensively address the cybersecurity gaps of the MCN through endpoint management and hire two security management analysts.
NCA 24-109 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 4, Chapter 2, entitled “TRIBAL CEMETERIES” was adopted in a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Rep. Cloud. There was no discussion.
The Nation currently owns two 10-acre plots of land designated as tribal cemeteries that are currently not being utilized for citizens, their spouses and other CDIB holders. This amendment allows the Secretary of Culture and Humanities authority to use the cemetery to reinter human remains and funerary objects within the care of the MCN.
NCA 24-110 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds in the amount of $72,369 awarded from the United States Department of Agriculture for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources was adopted with a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Rep. Whitecloud. There was no discussion.
The MCN Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources was awarded a FY 2024 Tribal Nations Wild Cervid Grant to increase the testing of wild harvested deer on the reservation for Chronic Wasting Disease. It also allows for an increase in sample size of the detection and allows for educational outreach to hunters and nonhunters about Chronic Wasting Disease.
NCA 24-111 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fiscal relief funding in the amount of $5,200,000 for construction of a building and facilities for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Transportation and Federal Roads was adopted with a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Rep. Cloud. There was no discussion.
The ARPA funds requested will allow for construction and building of facilities to enable the Department to more effectively manage the significant funding and resources for surface transportation facilities that are located on tribal lands.
NCA 24-112 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fiscal relief funding in the amount of $378,649.33 for the purchase of two vehicles and the relevant support equipment for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Driveways Program was adopted with a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Rep. Cloud. There was no discussion.
The Tribal Driveways Program has seen an increase in requests for assistance. The funding will allow for the purchase of a dump truck, a skid steer and the support equipment necessary to maintain these vehicles.
NCA 24-113 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a donation to the Indigenous Peoples Association (IPA) to financially assist with the 2024 Okmulgee Indigenous People’s Day in the amount of $5,000 was adopted with a vote of 11-0. Rep Golden abstained from voting. It was sponsored by Rep. Whitecloud.
During discussion, Rep. Whitecloud noted that Indigenous People’s Day has been celebrated nationally in protest of Columbus Day for years. MCN citizen Brenda Golden has been active in organizing the Indigenous People’s Day events in Okmulgee for the past six years.
NCA 24-114 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds in the amount of $835,896 awarded from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Housing was adopted with a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Rep. Whitecloud. There was no discussion.
The grant funds will be used to provide housing vouchers to eligible Native American veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
NCA 24-115 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds in the amount of $2,000 awarded from Workforce Matters Workforce Grantmaking in Native Nations and Communities for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Contracting and Employment Support Office was adopted with a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Rep. Harjo Sr. There was no discussion.
The grants will be used to create policy and procedure, develop an application and develop a selection process for awarding participants and tuition assistance.
NCA 24-116 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds in the amount of $35,000 awarded from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police Department was adopted with a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Rep. Harjo Sr. There was no discussion.
The grants will allow the pay of overtime for officers as well as travel costs to attend an annual safety summit.
NCA 24-117 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 14 § 1-203 entitled “Minimum qualifications” was adopted with a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Representative Dode Barnett. There was no discussion.
This law will allow the Nation to potentially hire more competent attorneys to serve as Prosecutors and Assistant Prosecutors of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation by adding more pathways toward hiring people outside of Oklahoma. It allows an attorney who is licensed to practice law before the highest court of any state or a member of the Oklahoma Bars Associations and the Muscogee (Creek) National Bar Association.
NCA 24-118 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Funding (LATCF) received from the United States Department of Treasury in the amount of $300,000 as the Nation’s contribution to the Tulsa Regional Chamber, Tulsa’s Future: Acceleration Program was adopted with a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Rep. Barnett. There was no discussion.
“Tulsa’s Future” is an economic development, strategic planning, business recruitment, and partnership initiation established by the Tulsa Regional Chamber. The funds will cover the 2024 and 2025 costs of participation.
NCA 24-119 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending NCA 21-084 (a law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation repealing MCNCA Title 16, Chapter 4 and creating a new law of a new title 50, entitled “Lighthorse Police” and authorizing an appropriation for the Lighthorse Police Commission) as amended by NCA 21-135 was adopted with a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Rep. Golden. There was no discussion.
Beginning FY 2026, the Lighthorse Commision will approve its annual budget and submit it to the Principal Chief to be included in the Comprehensive Annual Budget.
NCA 24-120 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded in the amount of $10,000 from the Center for Justice Innovation for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Office of the Attorney General was adopted with a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Representative Leonard Gouge. There was no discussion.
The Center for Justice Innovation Office for Victims of Crimes, Child Victims and Witness Support Materials Grant will allow the MCN Office of the Attorney General to professionally print victim support materials to use in their work with child victims and witnesses. According to a representative from the AG’s office, the grant will allow printing of pamphlet books for child victims and witnesses of violent crimes. The printables can also be used by select departments in the MCN that have direct interactions with child victims and witnesses of violent crimes.
NCA 24-121 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending NCA 22-079 (a law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the American Rescue Plan Act fiscal recovery funding for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Utility Authority Operating Funds) was adopted with a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Rep. Golden. There was no discussion.
NCA 24-123 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds received from the United States Department of the Treasury for the fiscal relief funding in the amount of $8,503,210 for Onefire, LLC was adopted with a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Representative Patrick Freeman, Jr and co-sponsored by Rep. Hufft.
Onefire, LLC is requesting ARPA funds for improvements to Building 600, formerly Golf Suites, in the amount of $5,000,000 and $3,503,210 for improvements to the entire River Walk facility. Council went into executive session during discussion.
NCA 24-124 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families Tribal Child Support Enforcement Program Grant in the amount of $2,860,372.24 for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Office of Child Support was adopted with a vote of 12-0. It was sponsored by Rep. Hufft. There was no discussion.
The grant will be used to operate the MCN Office of Child Support.
To view the full agenda, visit: mcnnc.com.