MVSKOKE RESERVATION – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council held a regular session in person on Sept. 27 at the Mound Building.
The minutes of the last Regular Session meeting were approved 12-0-1. Representative Joyce Deere abstained from voting.
The MCN National Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 25-073 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Tim Wheeler to serve on the Mvskoke Loan Fund Board. Representative Nelson Harjo Sr. sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 13-0.
Wheeling’s term will last for a total of three years after his date of confirmation.
TR 25-080 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a memorandum of agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation on behalf of the Nation’s Federal Roads Program for a Declaration Lane Improvement Project on U.S. Highway 75. Representative Robyn Whitecould sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 13-0.
The repairs will be located on a portion of highway located near MCN Capital Complex. The deceleration lane is 342 feet in length and will cost $112,985.20. It will be funded by Tribal Transportation Program Interest Funds.
TR 25-081 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute the University of Georgia’s Transfer Form and Care and Trust Agreement for the Transfer of Ownership and Legal Control of certain ancestors, associated and unassociated funerary objects, sacred items, and/or other items of cultural patrimony. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored the legislation, which was adopted with a substitute 13-0.
According to MCN Secretary of Culture and Humanities RaeLynn Butler, the remains and cultural items will stay with the University until a new burial site is selected for reburial. This is the third time in four months the MCN has repatriated remains or cultural items from the University of Georgia.
TR 25-082 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a memorandum of agreement with the County of Muskogee on behalf of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Federal Roads Program for the replacement of the South 54th Street Bridge and to apply for federal funding through the Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Transportation Bridge Program to fund the project. Representative Whitecloud sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 13-0.
The bridge in question is RT 151C-Bridge Number 02286.
TR 25-083 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a memorandum of understanding between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the City of Tulsa for the conveyance of Council Oak Park and Stickball Park. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 13-0.
Stickball Park was obtained by the City of Tulsa in 1943 but has been utilized for years as a monument to Mvskoke culture. According to Butler, while there are no charges associated with the conveyance because it is not a purchase, the park will require lawn care, arbor care and restoration to the statues and monument.
TR 25-084 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a grant application to the FHLBank of Topeka Affordable Housing Program Implementation Plan for the benefit of the Department of Housing. Representative Mark Randolph sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 13-0.
If the Nation receives the $1,500,000 grant it will construct 60 rental units in Okemah. A total of $9,194,534 will be used for the rental units. Of those funds, NAHASDA formulary funds will commit a total of $5,000,000. A total of $2,097,267 will be committed from the HUD Title VI Loan Guarantee Program and/or HUD Section 184. The units will be utilized by Tribal citizens who make low to moderate incomes.
TR 25-085 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation respectfully requests the consideration of Allie P. Reynolds, a Muscogee (Creek) citizen, as a National Baseball Hall of Fame candidate on the Classic Baseball Era Ballot. Representative Sandra Golden sponsored the legislation. It was cosponsored by Rep. Cloud, Representative Mary Crawford, Representative Joyce C. Deere, Representative Leonard Gouge, Rep. Harjo Sr., Speaker Randall Hicks, Representative Robert Hufft, Representative Anna Marshall, and Representative Darrell Proctor. The legislation was adopted 13-0.
Reynolds played baseball for Oklahoma A&M College, now Oklahoma State University. He played for 12 seasons in the major leagues. He played for the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians. He was a six-time All-Star pitcher and received numerous accolades during his lifetime.
TR 25-086 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute an agreement with the Fort Sill Apache Tribe for the use of their venue and hotel rooms at the Apache Casino Hotel for the Citizens Beyond the Reservation Outreach in Lawton, Oklahoma. Rep. Marshall sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 13-0.
The government-to-government contract will allow MCN employees to reserve rooms and use them during the Citizens Beyond conference.
TR 25-087 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Jessie Stomski Seim to serve as a supreme court justice of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Speaker Hicks sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 13-0.
Seim will serve as a supreme court justice for a total of six years after the confirmation date.
TR 25-088 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a certain Intergovernmental Detention Agreement with the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Seminole to hold criminal defendants at Seminole County Jail in Seminole County, City of Wewoka, Oklahoma. Representative Dode Barnett sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 13-0.
Criminal defendants will be housed at the Seminole County Jail in Wewoka. The MCN will be required to pay for housing at the rate of $50 per day per defendant, not including the cost of healthcare.
TR 25-089 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a certain Intergovernmental Detention Agreement with the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Wagoner to hold criminal defendants at the Wagoner County Jail in Wagoner County, Oklahoma. Rep. Barnett sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 13-0.
Criminal defendants will be housed at the Wagoner County Jail in Wagoner. The MCN will be required to pay for housing at the rate of $66 per day per defendant, not including the cost of healthcare.
TR 25-090 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a certain Memorandum of Understanding between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma. Rep. Hufft sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 13-0.
This MOU concerns the appointment of a Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (“SAUSA”) dedicated to the prosecution of crimes in Indian Country in the Northern District of Oklahoma. Attorney General Geri Wisner has recommended Kelly Sweeney, a Tribal prosecutor, serve as SAUSA.
NCA 25-079 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the Marathon Petroleum Community Investment Programs Grant for the benefit of the Emergency Management Department. Rep. Gouge sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 13-0.
According to the legislation, the $60,000 grant will be used for the purchase of a CRD Compact Rapid Deployable/COW Cell-On-Wheels.
NCA 25-081 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Temporary Bridge Program Grant for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Transportation. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 13-0.
According to the legislation, the $394,000 grant will be used to purchase four temporary bridges to support Tribal community members.
NCA 25-082 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the University of Tulsa Subaward for the benefit of the Historic and Cultural Preservation Department. Rep. Whitecloud sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 13-0.
According to the legislation, the $60,000 award will be used for a three-year restorative project in collaboration with the University of Tulsa to digitize and rematriate the Robertson-Worcester Collection.
NCA 25-083 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Housing for the Resident Opportunity and Supportive Services – Services Coordinators (ROSS-SC) Grant for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Housing. Rep. Randolph sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 13-0.
According to the legislation, the Nation will be awarded $251,702 each year for a period of three years. The Department of Housing will provide a $62,925.50 match each year for three years. The funds will be used to fulfill project objectives.
NCA 25-084 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Housing’s Program Income Funds. Rep. Randolph sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 13-0.
According to the legislation, a total of $1,240,000 will be used for operations and maintenance.
NCA 25-086 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 11, Chapter 3 entitled “Annual Funds for Building Costs, Economic Development, and Development of Chartered Communities”. Rep. Randolph sponsored the legislation. It was cosponsored by Representative Charles McHenry, Rep. Whitecloud, Rep. Barnett, Rep. Gouge, Rep. Osborn, and Rep. Harjo Sr. The legislation was adopted 13-0.
The legislation increases appropriations from $1,500,000 to $2,250,000 for the Chartered Communities. The communities will see the increase starting in Fiscal Year 2026. Increments of $30,000 will be distributed on the fifteenth of every fourth month.
NCA 25-087 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending the Constitution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation by replacing “Muscogee” with the traditional spelling of “Mvskoke” and deleting the word “Creek” throughout the Constitution. Rep. Randolph sponsored the legislation. It was cosponsored by Rep. Gouge, Rep. Osborn, Rep. Hufft, Rep. Harjo Sr., Rep. Barnett, Rep. Freeman Jr. and Representative Sandra Golden. The legislation was adopted 13-0.
The spelling change will appear as a proposal in the next election. The question will be worded as “Shall the Constitution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation be amended to replace “Muscogee” with the traditional spelling of “Mvskoke” and delete the word “Creek” throughout the Constitution?” Voters will have the option to vote “YES” or “NO.” In order for the change to be adopted it must receive a two thirds majority vote from voters.
NCA 25-088 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending NCA 22-142 (A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 15 Chapter 1 entitled Official Honor Guard to establish a Woman’s Honor Guard and appropriating funds for the Este Cate Hoktvke Suletawv Honor Guard) as amended by NCA 23-053. Rep. Marshall sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 13-0.
According to the legislation, the $60,000 appropriation will be used for the purchase of a van, trailer, and wrapping for the van and trailer.
NCA 25-089 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 37 § 2-123 entitled “Este Cate Veterans (Mvskoke Nation) Honor Guard.” Rep. Marshall sponsored the bill, which was adopted 13-0.
According to the legislation, the Este Cate Veterans Honor Guard will see an increase in annual appropriations from $80,000 to $116,000.
NCA 25-090 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending Article VI Section 2 of the Constitution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to establish term limits for National Council Representatives. Rep. Osborn sponsored the bill. It was cosponsored by Rep. Randolph and Rep. Barnett. The legislation was adopted with a substitute 13-0.
Rep. Osborn remarked that the question had been brought up at a recent forum she attended. Term limits will appear as a proposal in the next election. The question will be worded as “Council representatives shall be limited to a total of three terms, whether served in consecutive terms of office or non-consecutive terms. A term shall not include a partial term created by election to fill a vacancy. This law shall become effective with the filling of seat B terms beginning in January 2026.” Voters will have the option to vote “YES” or “NO.” In order for the change to be adopted it must receive a two thirds majority vote from voters.
NCA 25-091 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Indian Energy for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Utility Authority. Rep. Barnett sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 13-0.
NCA 25-092 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving the Comprehensive Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2026 and providing for appropriations. which was adopted 11-1-1. Rep. Golden voted against the legislation, Rep. Deere abstained.
The adoption of the annual budget came after several budget hearings for all executive, legislative and judicial budgets within the government.
To view the full agenda, visit www.mcnnc.com.
