OKMULGEE – The inauguration for the Pale-Hokkolen Ostohkaken (24th) Session of the Muscogee Creek National Council took place at the Mound Building on Saturday, Jan. 3. The ceremony swore in 11 returning representatives and five newly-elected representatives. The ceremony also elected officer positions for speaker, second speaker, and sergeant-at-arms. Muscogee Creek Supreme Court Justice Jessica Stomski swore in the council and council leadership.
Newly elected representatives include Creek District Seat B Representative Cody Phillips, Kowetv District Seat B Representative James Factor, Mvskoke District Seat B Representative Lora Harjo-King, Okmulke District Seat B Representative William Lowe, and Tvlse District Seat B Representative Lucian Tiger III. Rep. Lowe and Rep. Tiger have both previously served on the National Council.
The ceremony saw the presentation of the colors by the Mvskoke Este Cate Veterans and Este Cate Hoktvke Suletawv Color Guards. MCN Secretary of Interior Affairs Trenton Kissee provided opening remarks.
Speakers Election
The National Council Inauguration saw the election of new officers: speaker, second speaker, and sergeant-at-arms.
The election for speaker saw current Speaker Randall Hicks run against newly elected Rep. Tiger. The first vote for speaker resulted in an 8-8 tie, and the second vote also ended in a tie. Standard procedure dictates that in the event of two tied votes for speaker, a coin will be tossed to determine the winner. Rep. Tiger selected heads, Speaker Hicks selected tails. The coin toss resulted in heads, reelecting Speaker Hicks.
The election for the second speaker saw current Second Speaker Thomasene Yahola Osborn run against newly elected Rep. Lowe. Similar to the speaker vote, the first and second votes both resulted in 8-8 ties. Council followed standard procedure which dictates that in the event of two tied votes for the second speaker a coin will be tossed to determine the winner. The coin toss resulted in tails, reelecting Second Speaker Osborn.
The election for sergeant-at-arms saw Representative Robert Hufft run unopposed. Rep. Hufft was elected by acclamation, 16-0.
The National Council adopted the rules of procedure unanimously, 15-0. The council will meet Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 6 p.m. in a Special Session to set the 2026 session schedule and elect committee officers.
