OKMULGEE, Okla. – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council held a regular session in person on Nov. 16 at the Mound Building.
The MCN National Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 24-130 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Preston Public Schools. Representative Anna Marshall sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
The MOU includes Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer benefits to eligible children residing within the MCN Reservation, particularly the Preston Public School district.
TR 24-131 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a service plan agreement with Eaton Corporation for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health. Representative Mary Crawford sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
According to the resolution, it contains a governing law provision for North Carolina state law. It will contain limitations on remedies and a limited warranty.
TR 24-132 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to execute the Group Booking Agreement between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Johnson O’Malley to host the OKJOM 2025 Conference. Rep. Crawford sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
The resolution will reserve an event space, guarantee a block of guest room reservations and provide food and beverages for MCN JOM during the conference.
TR 24-133 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to execute the memorandum of agreements with the Indian Health Service for projects that provide domestic water supply and adequate wastewater disposal facilities for Native American-owned homes within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation. Representative Thomasene Yahola Osborn sponsored the legislation, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
According to the resolution, $200,000 will be used for these IHS projects.
TR 24-134 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Division of Health to participate in the Indian Health Service Fiscal Year 2025 Joint Venture Construction Program for the Construction of a new Indian Health Facility located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Representative Robyn Whitecloud sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 15-0.
According to the resolution, a facility replacement is critically needed to improve access and quality care. The partnership will construct the facility and lease it to IHS at no cost for 20 years. IHS will provide funding for staffing, operation and maintenance.
TR 24-135 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving and authorizing the Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, LLC (“MNGE”) Board of Directors to execute the general contract for services with Stout Construction. Representative Robert Hufft sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
According to the resolution, over $1,000,000 will be used to enter a contract for building construction and other improvements to real property or buildings.
TR 24-136 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving and authorizing the Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, LLC (“MNGE”) Board of Directors to execute the general contract for services with Candor Building Solutions, LLC. Rep. Hufft sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 15-0.
According to the resolution, the MNGE Board of Directors has determined it is necessary to enter in a general contract for services with Candor Building Solutions for the construction of buildings and other improvements to real property. The resolution further states the project will exceed $1,000,000.
TR 24-137 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving the sale of liquor at the Twin Hills Indian Community Convenience Store Plaza. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
The location will be subject to the Nation’s jurisdiction prior to the MCN Tax Commission issuing a liquor license.
TR 24-138 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to execute a real estate contract for the purchase of property in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.
According to the resolution, “the Muscogee (Creek) Nation intends to utilize the property to further expand on land use.”
NCA 24-144 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving the comprehensive annual budget for Fiscal Year 2025 and providing for appropriations. Rep. Hufft sponsored the bill, which was adopted 13-2. Representative Sandra Golden and Rep. Whitecloud voted against the bill.
The total tribal funds appropriated by the act are $503,196,772. The budget was approved over a month and a half since the tribe’s 2025 fiscal year started on Oct. 1.
NCA 24-145 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 49 entitled “Independent Muscogee (Creek) Press”. Representative Dode Barnett sponsored the bill, which was adopted 14-1. Representative Nelson Harjo Sr. voted against the legislation.
The amendment will increase the stipend of Mvskoke Media Editorial Board members to $500 per board meeting and allow the board to contact legal counsel when needed.
NCA 24-146 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from Casey Family Programs for the benefit of Mvskoke Nation Youth Services. Rep. Osborn sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
The $2,000 grant will be used to provide support for a youth conference.
NCA 24-147 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Mental Health Services Tribal Opioid Response (“TOR”) Grant for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health. Rep. Crawford sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
The $886,901 grant will address the opioid crisis in tribal communities by increasing access to FDA-approved medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) treatments.
NCA 24-149 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Office of Child Care. Rep. Osborn sponsored the bill, which was adopted 15-0.
The $1,435,103 grant will cover administrative costs for day-to-day activities and direct services to childcare providers.
NCA 24-152 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the National Park Foundation for the benefit of the Historic and Cultural Preservation Department. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 15-0.
The $18,010 grant will allow an oral historian to record oral history with citizens during the annual Ocmulgee Indigenous Celebration hosted in Macon. It will also provide travel funds for the oral historian, honorariums for the citizens willing to give their oral history and rental funds for travel equipment.
NCA 24-153 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security FY 2024 Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program for the benefit of the Lighthorse Police Department and Emergency Management Department. Rep. Osborn sponsored the bill, which was adopted unanimously 15-0.
The $876,956 grant will be used to purchase a Lenco Bear Cat for Lighthorse and a command center for MCN Emergency Management.
NCA 24-154 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 the Treasury to Onefire Holding Company, LLC. Representative Patrick Freeman Jr. sponsored the bill, Rep. Hufft cosponsored it. The bill was adopted unanimously, 15-0.
According to the legislation, $1,000,000 will be used by OneFire for “economic development”.
To view the full agenda, visit: mcnnc.com.
