MVSKOKE RESERVATION – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council held a regular session in person on Aug. 23 at the Mound Building.
The meeting was attended by Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and members of the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council. United Keetowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma (UKB) Chief Jeff Wacoche, as well as members of the UKB Tribal Council.
The MCN National Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 25-068 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Shawn Terry to serve as the Secretary of Health of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation passed with a vote of 10-3. The legislation was sponsored by Representative Robert Hufft, and cosponsored by Representative Darrell Proctor. It was opposed by Representative Dode Barnett, Representative Mark Randolph, and Representative Robyn Whitecloud.
Terry’s term will begin upon confirmation and will end concurrent with the term of the current Principal Chief.
TR 25-069 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving the comprehensive safety action plan passed with a vote of 13-0. The legislation was sponsored by Representative Galen Cloud.
The safety plan will include “eight federally-defined components necessary for future eligibility under the SS4A program. This includes leadership commitment and goal setting, planning structure, safety analysis, engagement and collaboration, equity considerations, policy and process changes, strategy and project selections as well as progress and transparency. As a result the MCN Department of Transportation will establish target crash reduction goals.
TR 25-070 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a real estate contract for the purchase of property in McIntosh County, Oklahoma passed with a vote of 13-0.The legislation was sponsored by Rep. Proctor and cosponsored by Rep. Cloud.
The property will be used by the Nation for “further land use expansion.”
TR 25-071 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a programmatic agreement between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Cherokee National Forest; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; and the Tennessee State Historic Preservation Officer regarding the review and implementation of undertakings in response to Hurricane Helene passed with a vote of 13-0. The legislation was sponsored by Representative Charles McHenry.
According to the legislation, Hurricane Helene has affected areas of the Cherokee National Forest and is in need of assistance in clean up efforts. The agreement is not a binding financial agreement, however it is a “collaborative framework that preserves the Nation’s autonomy while offering critical support and information.”
TR 25-072 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing updates to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Wildlife Code Conservation Regulations Rep. McHenry sponsored the legislation.
According to the legislation, the update will include annually-revived season dates, updated bag limits, and best practices for wildlife management. The bill claims these updates are necessary to preserve game populations, protect natural ecosystems, and promote land stewardship.
TR 25-074 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation nominating Toni Smith to serve as the District Trial Court Judge of the District Trial Court Civil Division of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation passed with a vote of 12-0-1. Rep. Barnett sponsored the legislation, and Representative Patrick Freemen abstained from voting.
Smith’s term will begin upon confirmation and will end on December 31, 2029.
TR 25-075 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving and authorizing the Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, LLC (“MNGE”) Board of Directors to execute the Platinum Gaming Ventures, LLC. Lease Agreement passed with a vote of 13-0. Rep. Hufft sponsored the legislation.
The lease agreement will last five years.
TR 25-076 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a proposal letter with the attached term sheet and fee letter from BOKF, NA d/b/a Bank of Oklahoma which outlines the terms and conditions for financing new clinics in Holdenville and Sapulpa, and for renovation projects related to Council Oak Comprehensive Healthcare passed with a vote of 13-0. Rep. Barnett sponsored the legislation.
The proposed letter outlines the basic terms of a $185,000 credit facility that will be offered to finance the construction projects.
TR 25-077 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a 2025 Energy and Mineral Development Program (EMDP) Grant Application passed with a vote of 13-0. Representative Nelson Harjo Sr. sponsored the legislation.
According to the legislation, the scope of this grant will develop a plan to increase revenue generation for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Utility Authority to enhance energy sovereignty, improve grid reliability and support long-term climate resilience for critical infrastructure on the MCN Reservation. MCN Secretary of the Nation Zechariah Harjo will be the grant lead point of contact for coordination and communication throughout the project.
TR 25-078 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a memorandum of understanding between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and several public schools passed with a vote of 13-0. Representative Leonard Gouge sponsored the legislation.
The MOU will involve the following public school districts: Wilson, Mason, Okemah, Dewar, Beggs, Mounds, Sapulpa, Lone Star, Hanna, Broken Arrow and Berryhill. MCN Language Revitalization Director Eli Rowland-Chang was called to speak on the legislation’s content. According to Rowland-Chang, the Mvskoke languages will be offered as a world language credit at the aforementioned schools.
TR 25-079 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation opposing proposed congressional language to limit the rights of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma was postponed indefinitely with a vote of 9-4. Rep. Barnett sponsored and Rep. Freeman Jr. cosponsored the legislation. Rep. Barnett, Rep. Freeman Jr., Rep. Randolph and Rep. Whitecloud opposed the postponement.
The proposed congressional language that would limit the rights of the UKB include rights to trust land, which would limit gaming operations on trust property.
When the legislation was open for discussion, Chief Hoskin spoke on the Cherokee Nation’s staunch opposition to TR 25-079. He described the resolution as doing “irreparable damage” to Cherokee Nation’s sovereignty. Chief Hoskin called for the council to vote against the adoption of the resolution.
Chief Waccoche spoke on the UKB’s support of the resolution. He described the legislation that is being heard before the U.S. Congress as an “attack on sovereignty” for the UKB. Chief Waccoche called for MCN to oppose any legislation that stripped the UKB of trust land rights.
NCA 25-064 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending 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) passed with a vote of 13-0. Representative Anna Marshall sponsored the legislation.
The $2,000 grant will purchase 25 jackets for the Mvskoke Runners Group members to utilize during the fall and winter months when training or attending running events.
NCA 25-065 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Institute of Museum and Library Services for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Head Start Program. Representative Mary Crawford sponsored the legislation, it passed with a vote of 13-0.
According to the legislation, the $10,000 grant will purchase a culturally-relevant book vending machine to enhance learning opportunities for the Nation’s youngest learners.
NCA 25-066 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Education for the benefit of the Eufaula Dormitory. Rep. Marshall sponsored the legislation, which passed with a vote of 13-0.
According to the legislation, the $735,546 grant will be used for the dormitory to operate during the 2025-2026 school year.
NCA 25-067 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a budget modification in excess of ten percent (10%) for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Head Start Program Fiscal Year 2025 budget passed with a vote of 13-0. Rep. Crawford sponsored the legislation.
According to the legislation, the ten percent budget modification will reallocate salaries, fringe, and a reallocation of funding to purchase a Chevrolet Tahoe and a 14-passenger bus.
NCA 25-068 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 35, Chapter 5, entitled “Emergency Hardship Program” passed 13-0. Representative Thomasene Yahola Osborn sponsored the legislation.
According to the legislation, the update to the code is necessary to improve the Nation’s ability to “support citizens in times of urgent needs.” The updates the program’s funding source, which is now through the Comprehensive Annual Budget. It will be used for administration, professional staff, equipment and program operations. The program will also be placed under the management and direction of the Social Service Department for the Office of Community and Human Services.
NCA 25-069 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the purchase of property located in McIntosh County, Oklahoma passed with a vote of 13-0. Rep. Proctor sponsored and cosponsored by Rep. Cloud the legislation.
According to the legislation, the property’s price, $525,000, will cover the cost of title insurance, title opinions, surveys, environmental studies, and applicable taxes.
NCA 25-070 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA TItle 14 Chapter 2, Subchapter 9, § 2-911, entitled “Child Endangerment”passed with a vote of 13-0. Rep. Barnett sponsored the legislation.
The amendment adds the language “(Person Under the Influence) or §3-2708 (Operation of a Motor Vehicle while Impaired)” to section four of the Child Endangerment clause.
NCA 25-071 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation establishing a new MCNCA 14, § 2-345 entitled “Digital Operation Exposing Sexual Abuse of a Minor” passed with a vote of 13-0. Rep. Harjo sponsored the legislation.
According to the legislation, this new law will enable police digital operations in online crimes pertaining to sex crimes pertaining to minors. This includes online lewd and indecent proposals, or invitations to meet with unlawful/willful intent.
NCA 25-072 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 14, § 2-309 entitled “Stalking” passed with a vote of 13-0. Rep. Harjo sponsored the legislation.
Updated language regarding stalking in the code is updated to define stalking as “a person that willfully, maliciously and repeatedly follows a person with the intent of having that person feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed or molested, and actually causes the person to feel terrorized frightened, intimidated, threatened harassed, molested or a person willfully, maliciously and reportedly follows an immediate family member or intimate partner of the person in subsection A, and actually causes the immediate family member or intimate partner to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed, or molested.” It further goes on to state that a person convicted of violating the foregoing provisions will be guilty of a felony.
NCA 25-073 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 14 § 1-401, entitled “Joinder of Offenses” passed with a vote of 13-0. Rep. Harjo sponsored the legislation.
The amendment pertains to domestic violence victims who are traumatized by making multiple appearances in court against their alleged perpetrator. The updated code adds a joinder offense, “they have the same alleged victim and would be judicially eficient.”
NCA 25-074 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 14 § 2-326 entitled “Sexual Abuse of a Minor or Ward”; MCNCA Title 14, § 2-327 entitled “Abusive Sexual Contact” and MCNCA Title 14, § 2-342 entitled “Transmitting Information about a Minor” passed with a vote of 13-0. Rep. Barnett sponsored the legislation.
The amendment changes the age in the code from 16 years old to 18. It also changes language in § 2-327, section 5 to “shall be guilty of a felony.”
NCA 25-075 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending NCA 24-097 (A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Labor for the Calendar Year 2024 Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRPP) Project) passed with a vote of 13-0. Rep. Gouge sponsored the legislation.
Section one adds to the code the following; “any supplemental grant funds received by the U.S. Department of Labor each year beginning on July 1, 2024, and continuing through June 30, 2027, consistent with the approved grant budget.”
NCA 25-076 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the Oklahoma Juvenile Affairs Title II Formula Grant Program funds for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Juvenile Justice Program passed with a vote of 13-0. Rep. Barnett sponsored the legislation.
The $23,723 grant will be utilized to purchase Botvin life skills training, backpacks and school supplies for youth enrolling in the program.
NCA 25-077 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation establishing the Mvskoke Technology and Innovation Park (“Mvskoke Tech Park”) postponed for two months with a vote of 11-2. was Rep. Freeman sponsored and Rep. Hufft cosponsored the legislation. Rep. Freeman and Rep. Hufft opposed the postponement.
If eventually adopted, the legislation will support developing data centers, digital infrastructure and A.I. development on the MCN Reservation. The legislation details the possibilities for opportunities for tech companies to incorporate workforce development in this tech park that would economically benefit Mvskoke citizens.
Former MCN Principal Chief James Floyd spoke on how this bill could potentially have negative effects for the environment, and historic sites. MCN Chief of Staff Jeff Fife spoke on the issue as well, citing the potential the bill would have for economic growth on the reservation.
NCA 25-078 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing an appropriation to retain legal counsel to represent a Muscogee (Creek) Citizen in connection with seeking U.S. Supreme Court Review and litigating the merits, if review is granted, of the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s decision in Stroble v. Oklahoma Tax Commission, 2025 OK 48 passed with a vote of 13-0. Rep. Hufft and Rep. Barnett sponsored the legislation.
The funding source was identified as Interest on Permanent Fund. The $1,250,000 appropriation will allow Mvskoke Citizen Alicia Stroble to take her case on tax exemption to the U.S. Supreme Court.
To view the full agenda, visit www.mcnnc.com.
