MVSKOKE RESERVATION – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council held a Regular Session in person on Tuesday, March 24, at the Mound Building.
The MCN National Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 26-014 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a grant application to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Youth Build 2025 Grant for the benefit of the Employment and Training Department. Representative Lora Harjo-King sponsored the legislation, which was adopted into law by a vote of 15-0.
If ETA receives the grant, $1,023,238 will be used for the Youth Build 2025 Project. The Nation will provide a leveraged resource match of $102,257 per year for three years. There was no discussion on this law.
TR 26-015 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving the update of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Long Range Transportation Plan with the addition of the routes listed as Attachment “B” – MCN NTTFI 2026. Representative Cody Phillips sponsored the legislation, which was adopted into law by a vote of 15-0.
According to the law, the plan is in compliance with 25 CFR Part 170. There was no discussion on this law.
TR 26-016 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a separate memorandum of understanding with two Oklahoma cities for the maintenance of roadways and associated rights-of-way constructed or improved by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Transportation Program. Rep. Phillips sponsored the bill, which was adopted into law by a vote of 15-0.
According to the law, the routes are located in Jenks and Tulsa. There was no discussion on this law.
TR 26-017 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation supporting the addition of new routes, as identified in attachment “B” – MCN NTTFI 2026, to the Nation’s existing National Tribal Transportation Facility Inventory and requesting the Bureau of Indian Affairs add these new routes to the Nation’s National Tribal Transportation Facility Inventory. Rep. Phillips sponsored the bill, which was adopted into law by a vote of 15-0.
According to the law, the added routes are the same as those mentioned in law TR 26-015. There was no discussion on this law.
TR 26-018 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute an institutional investment management agency agreement with BOK Financial for the benefit of the College of the Muscogee Nation. Rep. Harjo-King sponsored the bill, which was adopted into law by a vote of 15-0.
According to the bill, CMN seeks to generate passive income with an institutional investment portfolio. There was no discussion on this law.
TR 26-019 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a grant application to the office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation, for the Riverline Infrastructure Development Project. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored the bill, which was adopted into law by a vote of 15-0.
According to the law, the Nation meets the eligibility criteria set forth in 24 CFR 1003.5. The Nation will apply for the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant Program. If the Nation is selected for the $25,000,000 grant, it will provide a leveraged resource match of $9,740,023. There was no discussion on this law.
TR 26-020 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a real estate contract for property located in Tulsa County, Oklahoma. Representative Darrell Proctor sponsored the bill, which was adopted into law by a vote of 15-0.
Under the law, the 0.442-acre property will be used by the MCN Department of Health. There was no discussion on this law.
NCA 26-039 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the United States Department of Agriculture for the benefit of the Food Distribution Program. Rep. Proctor sponsored the bill, which was adopted into law by a vote of 15-0.
According to the law, the $210,000 grant will be used to “disseminate culturally relevant nutrition education resources that encourage American Indians/Alaskan Natives to learn basic nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and healthy living.” There was no discussion on this law.
NCA 26-040 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 20, Chapter 1 entitled “Administrative Management”. Rep. Proctor sponsored the bill, which failed to become law by a vote of 0-15.
If the bill had been adopted, it would have placed the Senior Services Department under the Department of Community and Human Services. During the discussion, Rep. Proctor explained that some citizens had voiced concerns about removing the requirement that the MCN Senior Services Department Manager be an MCN citizen. Representative Sandra Golden remarked that the inclusion of the qualification was unnecessary because there are already laws that require the Tribe to give employment preference to MCN citizens.
NCA 26-042 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Geospatial Department. Representative Dode Barnett sponsored the legislation, which was adopted into law 15-0.
According to the law, the $1,986,408 grant will be used to conduct eligible assessment-related activities authorized by CERCLA 104(k)(2) within the MCN Reservation boundaries. There was no discussion on this law.
NCA 26-043 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation appropriating funds to the Nation’s Environmental Services Department for the purchase of equipment. Rep. Barnett sponsored the legislation, which was cosponsored by Speaker Randall Hicks. It was adopted into law by a vote of 15-0.
According to the law, $300,000 will be appropriated to purchase equipment from Rodebush Septic Service. The funding source is the General Tax and License fund account. There was no discussion on this law.
NCA 26-044 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation appropriating funds to create the Environmental Services – Septic Services Program. Rep. Barnett sponsored the bill, which was adopted into law by a vote of 15-0.
According to the law, $128,610 will be used to create the MCN Septic Services program. It will be placed under the supervision of the Environmental Services Department. It will provide septic services during the Festival and for Ceremonial Grounds, churches, community cleanups, and funeral needs for MCN citizens. The funding source is the General Tax and License Fund Account. There was no discussion on this law.
NCA 26-045 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation creating a new law by adding MCNCA Title 14, § 4-636 entitled “Unlawful Possession of Firearms or weapons by a Minor.” Rep. Lowe sponsored the bill, which was adopted into law by a vote of 15-0.
According to the law, it will make it unlawful for minors to possess firearms. It will also make it unlawful for a parent or guardian to permit a minor to possess a firearm. Those found guilty of breaking this law will be charged with a misdemeanor. During the discussion on the bill at the Monday, March 23 Business, Finance, and Justice (BFJ) committee meeting, Attorney General Geri Wisner said there is a need for this law because her office is seeing more cases of juveniles committing violent crimes with firearms on the Mvskoke Reservation. There was no discussion on this law during the regular session.
NCA 26-046 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 “MCN Outdoor, LLC” under the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Limited Liability Company Act and approving the operation agreement for “MCN Outdoor, LLC”. Representative James Factor sponsored the bill, which was adopted into law by a vote of 15-0.
According to the law, it will establish a tribal-owned digital billboard company. It will “create a sustainable revenue stream through direct advertising sales, improved lease structures, and the installation of modern digital billboards capable of commanding premium rates.”
During the Monday, March 23, BFJ committee meeting, Secretary of Commerce Timothy Harjo discussed how the company will generate income for the Nation. “It will allow a way to broadcast messages to the community while benefiting the Nation. Not only the Reservation community, but the non Indian community that resides within the Reservation,” Harjo said. There was no discussion on this law during the regular session.
NCA 26-047 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation appropriating funds to MCN Outdoor, LLC. Rep. Factor sponsored the bill, which was adopted into law by a vote of 15-0.
According to the law, $2,786,164 will be used for the limited liability company detailed in NCA 26-046. There was no discussion on this law.
NCA 26-048 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending Article V Section 1 (a) and (c) of the Constitution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Rep. Phillips sponsored the legislation, which failed to become adopted into law by a vote of 8-7. The bill required a ⅔ vote of the Full Council. Rep. Barnett, Representative Mary Crawford, Rep. Factor, Rep. Harjo-King, Representative Charles McHenry, Representative Thomasene Osborn, and Representative Robyn Whitecloud voted no on the bill.
According to the bill, it would have extended the terms of the Principal Chief and Second Chief to three years. This includes consecutive and nonconsecutive terms. If it had received the required ⅔ vote of the full council, it would have appeared as a ballot question in an election where it would require a ⅔ vote from voters. A bill expanding the term limits to three terms, NCA 26-037, was previously voted on at the Saturday, Feb. 28 Regular Session. It failed to become adopted into law by a vote of 9-6.
During the discussion on the bill, Second Chief Del Beaver reiterated his stance that this bill is not necessary. He said that during his conversations with community members, no one has raised this matter as an issue. “It’s not a topic of conversation. There are far greater concerns our people are concerned about other than adding more years to a term and adding more pay,” Second Chief Beaver said.
Representative Robert Hufft disagreed with Second Chief Beaver’s comments and said it would not be fair if MCNNC members could run for three terms, but not the chiefs. He said that he has spoken to people who would like to vote on a ballot measure regarding third terms for the chiefs. Rep. Golden concurred, stating that the bill gives voters the chance to vote yes or no on amending the MCN constitution. Representative Lucian Tiger claimed there are no current term limits for the position of second chief, making this ballot measure necessary. Rep. Phillips, the bill’s sponsor, explained that he brought the bill back because he simply wanted to give voters the opportunity to make their voices heard.
Rep. Barnett directed a question toward the election board. She asked whether there is a minimum voter turnout requirement to amend the Constitution. Election Manager Nelson Harjo Jr. responded that there is no minimum voter requirement.
NCA 26-049 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of third-party funds to be used toward the purchase of property located in Tulsa County, Oklahoma. Rep. Proctor sponsored the bill, which was adopted into law by a vote of 15-0.
According to the law, the property will cost $1,529,000 to purchase. This will cover the title insurance, title opinions, surveys, environmental studies and applicable taxes. There was no discussion on this law.
NCA 26-050 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing an appropriation for improvements located at the Omniplex. Rep. Lowe sponsored the legislation, which was adopted into law by a vote of 15-0.
According to the law, $645,775 will be used to enhance the functionality of the Ominpelx facility, improve public safety, expand revenue opportunities, and elevate the overall experience for athletes, spectators, and community members. The funding source was identified as the Capital Improvements Fund Account. There was no discussion on this law.
NCA 26-052 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending NCA 13-200 (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 “OneFire Holding Company, LLC” under the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Limited Liability Company Act and approving the operating agreement for “OneFire Holding Company, LLC”) as amended by NCA 14-080 and NCA 14-178 and NCA 18-121, NCA 20-007, NCA 21-109, and NCA 23-095. Rep. Lowe sponsored the bill, which was adopted into law by a vote of 15-0.
According to the law, it will add a section five titled “Exemptions/Non-Applicability.” Section five states that OneFire is exempt from the provisions of Title 37, § 3-101 and § 3-102 of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Code. It will add a fifth member to the OneFire board, which will be the MCN Commerce Secretary. There was no discussion on this law.
NCA 26-053 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation appropriating funds for legal fees to OneFire Holding Company, LLC. Rep. Lowe sponsored the bill, which was adopted into law by a vote of 15-0.
According to the law, $350,000 will be used to support legal counsel relating to “the protection of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s reservation in taxation matters connected to the River Walk Crossing Property, OneFire Holding, and its subsidiaries.” There was no discussion on this law.
To view the full agenda, visit www.mcnnc.com.
