Morgan Taylor/Reporter
OKMLUGEE, Oklahoma – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council meeting was held December 18 at the Mound Building in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.
The Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
NCR 21-012 Confirming Michael Coon to serve on the Cemetery Advisory Committee. Representative Randall Hicks sponsored the resolution, which was adopted 14-0.
The National Council selected Muscogee (Creek) citizen Michael Coon to serve on the Cemetery Advisory Committee.
NCR 21-014 Approving the Legal Services Agreement between the MCNNC and Fletcher Law, PLLC. Representative William Lowe sponsored the resolution, which was adopted 12-2 with Reps. Mark Randolph and Travis Scott voting no.
The Council requires independent legal counsel for various duties separate from the duties of the Attorney General and the Department of Justice.
TR 21-158 Upholding and enforcing the official name and seal of the MCN. Rep. Adam Jones sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 14-0.
The legislation states the Executive Branch shall not utilize any name, seal or likeness not consistent with Article I Sections 1-3 of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Constitution for any communication or official correspondence and no other name, seal or likeness shall be used without an amendment of the MCN Constitution.
TR 21-161 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a certain agreement between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health and Tierpoint, LLC on behalf of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health. Representative James Jennings sponsored the resolution, which was adopted 14-0.
MCNDH desires to enter into an agreement with Tierpoint, LLC to allow MCNDH access to certain software for disaster recover services for networks and systems.
Tierpoint imposes an indemnification obligation upon the Nation, limits some claims and remedies, requires application of the laws of the State of Texas.
TR 21-162 Confirming of Lucinda Myers to serve on the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Election Board. Rep. Anna Marshall sponsored the resolution, which was adopted 14-0.
MCN Election Board Position 3 is vacant. Principal Chief has nominated Muscogee (Creek) citizen Lucinda Myers to serve on the MCN Election Board Position 3.
TR 21-165 Approving extension of the Management Agreement between Ruth’s Hospitality Group, INC and the Gaming Operations Authority Board. Rep. Patrick Freemen Jr. sponsored the resolution, which was adopted 14-0.
The GOAB desires to renew the Management Agreement for an additional five-year term.
TR 21-168 Authorizing the construction of a new Public Education/Lecture Hall for the College of the Muscogee Nation. Rep. James Jennings sponsored the resolution, which was adopted 14-0.
The building will be approximately 14,750 square feet with laboratory space, two classrooms spaces, two office spaces, and a common area and lecture hall/storm shelter.
The new lecture hall will be located on the campus at the College of the Muscogee Nation.
TR 21-169 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a certain agreement between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. Representative Marshall sponsored the resolution, which was adopted 14-0.
MCN Council Oak Comprehensive Healthcare Hospital recommends hospital staff vehicles to have Pikepass available so staff can travel from the hospital to various locations for the purpose of patient care.
TR 21-170 Confirming the nomination of Roger Wiley to serve as the Chief Judge of the District Trial Court for the MCN. Rep. Jones sponsored the resolution with co-sponsors Robert Hufft, Lucian Tiger, James Jennings, Joseph Hicks, Joyce Deere, Mary Crawford and Darrell Proctor, which passed 13-1 with Rep. Scott voting no.
Wiley will now serve as the Chief Judge of the District Trial Court for the MCN.
TR 21-171 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a MCN Department of Housing contract with Machill Tribal Construction, LLC. Rep. Thomasene Yahola-Osborn sponsored the resolution, which was adopted, 14-0.
Machill Tribal Construction will do construction of housing projects under agreements.
TR 21-172 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a MCN Department of Housing contract with Machill Tribal Construction, LLC. Rep. Yahola-Osborn sponsored the resolution, which was adopted 14-0.
Machill Tribal Construction will do construction of housing projects under agreements.
TR 21-173 Authorizing the extension of the Secretary of the Nation and Commerce to continue operations of the Onefire Holding Company, LLC. Rep. Lucian Tiger III sponsored the resolution, which was adopted 14-0.
This grants the Secretary of the Nation and Commerce authority over the board for a period of 90 days.
NCA 21-139 Authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the District Attorneys Council for the benefit of the Family Violence Prevention Program. Rep. Marshall sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 14-0.
The grant funds in the amount of $102,723 will be used to expand current program services to better meet the needs of victims/survivors of violent crime within the MCN reservation boundaries.
NCA 21-140 Authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence against Women for the benefit of the Family Violence Prevention Program. Rep. Marshall sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 14-0.
The grant funds in the amount of $450,000 will be used to provide intervention, advocacy, accompaniment, support services and related assistance for adult, youth and child victims of sexual assault, non-offending family and household members of victims and those collaterally affected by the sexual assault.
NCA 21-141 Authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence against Women for the benefit of the Family Violence Prevention Program. Rep. Marshall sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 14-0.
The grant funds in the amount of $900,000 will be used to respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking and stalking to decrease the incidence of violent crime against women.
NCA 21-142 Authorizing the expenditure of the U.S. Department of Justice Coordinated Tribal assistance solicitation purpose area 6: Children’s Justice Act Partnerships for Indian Communities grant funds for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Children & Family Service Administration. Rep. Marshall sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 14-0.
The grant funds in the amount of $449,992 to CFSA will be utilized to improve child abuse or neglect investigations, decrease caseloads, increase public community outreach and update policies and tribal code.
NCA 21-143 Authorizing the expenditure of the American Indian College Fund, Native Pathways to College, 2021-2022 Higher Pathways grant for the benefit of the Youth Services. Rep. Jennings sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 14-0.
The grant funds in the amount of $3,000 will be used to provide educational support and mentoring to Native American students at the Eufaula Dormitory, as well as other students within the MCN reservation.
NCA 21-144 Authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from a project Echo grant for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health. Rep. Jennings sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 14-0.
The Project Echo Grant in the amount of $6,000 is for nursing home funding for the facilities in Oklahoma City.
NCA 21-146 Authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the United States Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Children and Family Services Administration. Rep. Mary Crawford sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 14-0.
The grant funds in the amount of $451,172 will go to the MCN Children & Family Services Administration to be utilized to promote the Safe and Stable Families Program.
NCA 21-147 Amending NCA 21-097 (A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) funds received from the United States Department of the Treasury for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation citizen vaccine incentive). Rep. William Lowe sponsored the legislation and co-sponsored by Rep. Charles McHenry, which was adopted 14-0.
The age requirement to receive the ARPA vaccine incentive for MCN changes from twelve years to five years of age or older.
NCA 21-148 Authorizing the expenditure of funds for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s Youth Services Program for the 2021 U.S. Department of Justice coordinated Tribal Assistance Purpose Area 9 grant. Rep. Lucian Tiger III sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 14-0.
The grant funds in the amount of $508,245 was awarded to the MCN Youth Services will be used to develop a new Tribal Youth Program to decrease juvenile court involvement for Native American youth within the MCN Reservation by 25 percent.
NCA 21-149 Authorizing the expenditure of the U.S. Department of Justice 2021 OJJDP FY 2021 Delinquency Prevention Grants Program funds for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Juvenile Justice program. Rep. Tiger sponsored the resolution, which was adopted 14-0.
The grant funds in the amount of $500,000 will be used to develop a strategic plan to establish best practices for implementing services internally and hire a juvenile justice advocate providing assistance in responding to youthful offender calls.
NCA 21-153 Authorizing the expenditure of funds in the amount of $288,413 for the benefit of the MCN Lighthorse Police Department for the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services 2021 Cops Office Tribal Resources Grant Program – Equipment and Training. Rep. Lowe sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 14-0.
Funds will be used to pay for trainings, vehicles, uniform and equipment for two officers.
NCA 21-154 Authorizing the expenditure of funds in the amount of $600,359 for the benefit of the MCN Lighthorse Police Department for the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services 2021 Cops Office Tribal Resources Grant Program – Equipment and Training. Rep. Lowe sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 14-0.
Funds will be used to hire two officers for a period of five years.
NCA 21-155 Repealing MCNCA Title 17, Chapter 8, entitled “Gaming Operation Authority Board.” Rep. Patrick Freeman Jr. sponsored the legislation and co-sponsored by Reps. Jones, Hufft and Lowe, which was adopted 14-0.
Replacing the GOAB with a Tribal Limited Liability Company to administer and manage the Nation’s gaming facilities and operations.
NCA 21-156 Authorizing the Execution and File Articles of Organization with the Office of the Secretary of the Nation and Commerce to form “Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, LLC” under the MCN Limited Liability Company Act and approving the operating agreement for “Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises LLC.” Representative Patrick Freeman Jr. sponsored the legislation and co-sponsored by Reps. Jones, Hufft and Lowe, which was adopted 14-0.
Creation of Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, LLC would contribute to the social, physical well-being and economic advancement of the citizens of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation by providing funds for governmental services, programs, health centers and general welfare activities.
NCA 21-157 Amending MCNCA Title 37, 2-203 to alter the distribution of funds. Rep. Lowe sponsored the legislation, which was adopted, 13-1. Rep. Jennings voted against.
Rep. Jennings made a motion to change from 20% to 10% which no action was taken.
The amendment adds FY 2022 gaming revenue so that no funds shall be deposited into the Permanent Fund but instead shall be deposited into the Gaming Fund.
NCA 21-158 Approving a Continuing Budget Ordinance and providing appropriations and authorization for expenditures for FY 2022. Rep. Hufft sponsored the legislation, which was postponed indefinitely 10-4. Rep. Hufft, Rep. Yahola-Osborn, Rep. Randolph and Rep. Scott voted against the motion to postpone.
Rep. Tiger made the motion to postpone and was second by Rep. Hicks.
Continuing Budget Ordnance is needed to provide funding to all three branches of government until such time that the FY 2022 Comprehensive Annual Budget is approved.
NCA 21-160 Authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Internal Revenue Service Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program for the benefit of the Office of the Secretary of the Nation and Commerce. Rep. Marshall sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 14-0.
The VITA grant will be used to provide assistance in preparing income tax returns for individuals who are age 59 and younger.
NCA 21-161 Authorizing the expenditure of matching funds for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program for the benefit of the Office of the Secretary of the Nation and Commerce. Rep. Marshall sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 14-0.
The IRS award funding terms and conditions require MCN to provide one-to-one matching funds.
NCA 21-162 Terminating the Repayment Agreement between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Twin Hills Indian Community. Rep. James Jennings sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 14-0.
Funds for the Twin Hills Indian Community is for construction and other costs associated with the opening of the Twin Hills Indian Community Convenience Plaza.
NCA 21-163 Authorizing the expenditure of self-governance funds for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Utility Authority for the benefit of the Office of the Secretary of the Nation and Commerce. Rep. Joseph Hicks sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 14-0.
A grant fund in the amount of $334,507.00 from the Department of the Interior Self-Governance will help establish a Tribal Utility Authority, to address the serious need for adequate public utility regulations and management.
NCA 21-164 Authorizing the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) funds from the United States for the Climate Resiliency Project at River Spirit Casino Resort. Rep. Patrick Freeman sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 14-0.
The funds from ARPA will be used for the Climate Resiliency Project, to provide adequate water and sewer infrastructure to prevent water pollution to the Arkansas River and its tributaries caused by climate related flooding.
Full meetings and agendas can be viewed at www.mcnnc.com.