MCN signs first Mandatory Trust Acquisition
by: Amanda Rutland/MCNPR
OKMULGEE, Okla. — Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief James Floyd and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Superintendent of the Okmulgee Agency Carla Norman signed the deed to finalize a mandatory trust acquisition Dec. 7, on the MCN Tribal Complex in Okmulgee.
This is the first mandatory trust acquisition the Nation has done. The acquisition grants MCN a 50 percent surface interest to a 160-acre undivided parcel in Creek County. This type of acquisition is possible because a Muscogee (Creek) citizen wanted to sell interest of their land to the Nation.
According to 25 U.S. Code 2216 C, “An Indian, or the recognized tribal government of a reservation, in possession of an interest in trust or restricted lands, at least a portion of which is in trust or restricted status on November 7, 2000, and located within a reservation, may request that the interest be taken into trust by the Secretary. Upon such a request, the Secretary shall forthwith take such interest into trust.”
The Mandatory Trust Acquisition also means half the parcel, 80-acres, is in trust and the other half retains restricted status.
Principal Chief James Floyd pictured with MCN Realty Services staff and BIA Superintendent Okmulgee Agency Carla Norman and Jamie Hothouse.
Pictured left to right: Lou Ann Smith, Sonya McIntosh, James Floyd, Carla Norman, Jamie Hothouse, Judy Ausmus & Karen Milam.