OKMULGEE, Okla. – A Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council Emergency Session was held via teleconference June 1.
The Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 23-055 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute an assignment and assumption of purchase and sale agreement and approving certain provisions within the purchase and sale agreement for property located in Wagoner County, Oklahoma. Representative Randall Hicks sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
The property is composed of 36.5 acres and will be used by gaming operations to enhance its commercial activities.
TR 23-056 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, LLC (“MNGE”) to execute the design-build agreement between River Spirit Casino Resort and I-5 Design-Build, Inc. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 14-0.
The agreement will allow I-5 Design-Build Inc. to provide labor and furnish certain materials associated with the renovation of the existing buffet to create a new Sports Bar, VIP Bar, Lounge, and Ballroom at the River Spirit Casino Resort. The total cost of the project is $13,594,316.
TR 23-057 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute an updated compact of self-governance and a multiyear funding agreement between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the Secretary of the Interior. Speaker William Lowe sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 14-0.
The compact will allow the Nation to redesign programs, services, functions and activities, reallocate funds, prioritize said PSFAs, enhance the effectiveness and long-term financial stability of its tribal government and include detentions and corrections services as part of its criminal jurisdiction and justice services. This will retain the multi year funding for fiscal year 2023.
TR 23-058 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute an updated compact of self-governance and a multiyear funding agreement between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the Secretary of the Interior. Speaker Lowe sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 14-0.
The compact will allow the Nation to redesign programs, services, functions and activities, reallocate funds, prioritize said PSFAs, enhance the effectiveness and long-term financial stability of its tribal government and include detentions and corrections services as part of its criminal jurisdiction and justice services. This will retain the multi year funding for fiscal year 2022.
NCA 23-045 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 16, Chapter 1 § 1-102 entitled “the organization for the executive office of the Principal Chief” to organize various cultural and humanities programs by creating a new cultural and humanities department. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored the bill. It was co-sponsored by Representative Leonard Gouge, and Representative Joseph Hicks. It was unanimously decided that the bill would be postponed until the next HEW/LNC Joint Committee Meeting, 14-0.
According to language in the bill, the purpose of the act is to “organize various cultural and humanities programs throughout the Department of Culture and Humanities.” If adopted, it will allow for more oversight and administration of the various cultural resource programs.
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. Rep. Cloud sponsored the bill. It was co-sponsored by Rep. Gouge and Rep. Joseph Hicks. It was unanimously decided that the bill would be postponed until the next LNC Committee Meeting, 14-0.
The new law would codify new language to be used in future bills moving forward regarding the new department. It would also define jurisdiction, power and authority, qualifications for members of the department, establish expectations and responsibilities, list areas of interest, and continue to preserve culture, oral tradition, history, research, and tribal law. The total cost of the appropriation will be $273,148.
NCA 23-047 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation appropriating funds to create the Mvskoke Language Liaison Program. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Cloud, and was co-sponsored by Rep. Gouge and Rep. Joseph Hicks. It was unanimously decided that the bill would be postponed until the next LNC Committee Meeting, 14-0.
The program would be composed of multi-generational staff responsible for serving as liaisons between Mvskoke speakers and academic, cultural, and tribal institutions in an effort to perpetuate the Mvskoke language. They will collect and manage data on the Mvskoke language and organize efforts to develop more robust communities. The total cost of the staff would be $325,627.
NCA 23-055 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a supplemental appropriation to the department of higher education – emergency scholarship program’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget. Speaker Lowe sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 14-0.
The bill will appropriate $75,000 to increase the Direct Assistance line item for the Emergency Scholarship Program fiscal year 2023 budget.
NCA 23-056 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 35, Chapter 6, entitled “School Clothing Program”. Representative Robert Hufft sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 14-0.
The bill will appropriate $723,000 to the MCN School Clothing Program.
NCA 23-057 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fiscal Year Recovery Funds to purchase vehicles for the benefit of the Fleet Management Department. Rep. Cloud sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 14-0.
The bill will expend $1,332,315.49 for the benefit of the Fleet Management Department.
NCA 23-058 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fiscal Year recovery funds to purchase vehicles for the benefit of the Fleet Management Department. Rep. Cloud sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 14-0.
The bill will expend $292,555.43 for the benefit of the Fleet Management Department.
View the full meeting at www.mcnnc.com.