For Immediate Release July 9, 2021

Media Contact: Jason Salsman jsalsman@muscogeenation.com

Muscogee Nation Proclaims Sovereignty Day on 1-Year Anniversary of Historic U.S. Supreme Court McGirt Decision

U.S. Court Ruling Confirmed the Muscogee Nation’s Sovereignty, Territorial Boundaries in Eastern Oklahoma

Muscogee Nation Marks Year of Post-Ruling Operational Expansions, Partnerships

OKMULGEE, Okla. — Today the Muscogee (Creek) Nation declared July 9 as “Muscogee Nation Sovereignty Day.” The date marks the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision, McGirt v. Oklahoma, confirming the sovereignty and territorial boundaries of the Muscogee Nation.

“Generations of Mvskokvlke (Muscogee) will always look to this historic day as a reminder of our remarkable past, our perseverance and survival and our inherent right to exist as a sovereign nation that pre-dates both the United States and Oklahoma,” reads the proclamation that Principal Chief David W. Hill ratified today.

The protected reservation, established in a treaty between the United States and the Muscogee Nation, encompasses much of Eastern Oklahoma, including Tulsa. The parties formed that treaty coincident with the United States’ forced relocation (later known as The Trail of Tears; 1834) of the Muscogee Nation and its citizens from their cultural homeland in Georgia and Alabama to Eastern Oklahoma.

“We celebrate and hold sacred the sovereignty of the Muscogee Nation and our inherent authority to exercise jurisdiction within the borders of our reservation,” Hill said.

As a result of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling a year ago, the Muscogee Nation has taken actions in support of its jurisdictional authority and its efforts to work collaboratively with non-tribal entities toward the safety and economic prosperity of all peoples within Oklahoma:

· Doubled its cross-deputization agreements law-enforcement agencies to more than 60, including the Oklahoma Highway Patrol;

· More than doubled police officers on the ground;

· Bolstered its law-enforcement budget in the initial six-month, post-ruling period with an additional $7 million in tribal funds through special appropriation and supplemental legislation;

· Commissioned a mobile-command unit to serve as the collaborative headquarters in cases that call for multiple agencies reporting;

· Bolstered its prosecutorial capacity through broad actions, including a $1 million budget increase for the Muscogee Nation Attorney General’s Office and adding five prosecutors, a criminal investigator, as well as additional legal assistants and records clerks;

· Added district-court judges to the Muscogee Nation Tribal Bench;

· Amended pertinent and critical areas of Tribal Code to be more compliant and uniform with State statutes; and

· Convened a commission of more than 40 experts in law, tax, land and minerals, social services and law enforcement to work through the array of issues relevant to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling.

“The Muscogee Nation will continue to work in collaboration with federal and state law-enforcement agencies to ensure that public safety is maintained throughout the territorial boundaries of the Muscogee Nation and that the rights and interests of all individuals within our borders are respected and protected,” the Sovereignty Day proclamation states.

“We will continue to explore every available avenue to work in good faith and partnership toward a better Oklahoma,” Hill said. “It is the position of the Muscogee Nation that we are more efficient when we work in partnership and avoid spending time and resources in a continued fight for the sovereignty that the highest court of the United States has clearly confirmed.

“We will realize our greatest potential only when all sovereigns are working together and in collaboration, not by seeking ways to weaken our jurisdiction or return to a broken system of the past,” Hill said.

About the Muscogee (Creek) Nation

Muscogee (Creek) Nation is a self-governed Native American tribe with headquarters in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. The Muscogee Nation is one of the Five Tribes. Its sovereign territory covers 4,867 square miles in 11 Oklahoma counties. With 92,000 Muscogee Nation citizens, it constitutes the fourth-largest tribe within the United States. The Muscogee Nation government is comprised of an executive branch, a legislative body and a tribal court system. www.muscogeenation.com

For Immediate Release
April 7, 2021
Media Contact: Jason Salsman
O: (539) 286-4559
jsalsman@muscogeenation.com

The Muscogee Nation Lighthorse Police Department FY 2021 Budget Approved

Newly approved budget to be utilized towards increased costs brought on by McGirt

OKMULGEE, Oklahoma — The Muscogee Nation National Council passed legislation in an Extraordinary Session on March 30. NCA 21-034 approves the Lighthorse Police Department’s comprehensive annual budget for Fiscal Year 2021 and continues to move MCN forward on its commitment to maintaining and improving public safety and law enforcement efforts for both natives and non-natives residing within the 11-county reservation following the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic ruling last July.

Before its passage, the Lighthorse Police Department had been operating on a continuing budget at FY 2020 approved amounts. The FY 2021 budget was approved with a $2.3 million increase from the previous FY.

With the newly approved budget, the Lighthorse Police Department hopes to utilize the increase in funds towards a number of needs brought on by the Supreme Court’s decision. Some examples of those needs include employing more deputies and pay increases for current deputies in order to remain competitive with other police departments in the surrounding areas.

“I want to thank the National Council for passing this budget and getting our Lighthorse Police the resources to continue meeting the responsibilities our reservation status requires of us,” Principal Chief David Hill said. “I’m proud of the work LHPD has done in increasing cross-deputization agreements, adding officers on the ground, and taking on a greater role. This budget will stabilize their efforts and empower even more growth and progress.”

The Lighthorse Police Department currently has 60 cross-deputization agreements in place throughout the reservation and 64 full-time officers. Both numbers are nearly doubled from before the Supreme Court decision.

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MCN Employment and Training accepting applications for summer youth

Though program has been modified, E&T expects great turnout

OKMULGEE, Oklahoma — Muscogee (Creek) Nation Employment and Training has announced they are now accepting applications for the 2021 Summer Youth Program.

MCN E&T Youth Coordinator Mia Hoskison said this was a difficult year for the program due to  the pandemic but they are ready and prepared for next summer.

“Being able to help our youth through COVID-19 was a challenge,” she said. “We had to modify a lot of the things that we would normally be doing with them during that time.”

Some of the modifications included applicants who were immunocompromised or exposed to the COVID-19 virus working from home.

“Our work-from-home program helped the youth who would have a hard time working during the pandemic, be able to work virtually,” Hoskison said. “They had a curriculum and weekly assignments that they had to complete.”

The age requirement for eligibility is 16-21 and last summer they had over 500 applicants participate.

“All things considered, we had a wonderful turnout,” she said. “We want the same number, if not more to apply.”

Hoskison said this next summer, they will be more prepared and ready for any changes to their routine or modifications to the program that may be required.

“We are already working on our curriculum for our work-from-home program, our life skills modules and collaborating with several departments to get everything ready for our youth,” she said.

Hoskison also mentioned for more information or for any applicants from the previous summer who have questions about their incentives, to call her at: 918-732-7775.

Applications can be completed online. To apply, go to: http://bit.ly/MCNSY2021. Applications will be received until March 31, 2021.

For businesses interested in participating as a summer youth work site, email: eta@muscogeenation.com or call 918-732-7773. Work-site requests will be taken until January 31, 2021.

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Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Education and Training receives ACE grant

$4M in funding to be used to establish education options and services

OKMULGEE, Oklahoma — The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Education and Training was awarded $4,371,256 from the U.S. Department of Education to be received over the next five years.

The “Accessing Choices in Education” grant was introduced by the U.S. Department of Education to be used by Native American communities to set up a variety of education options and services, including additional course options, apprenticeships, tutoring and other programs, from which parents or students can choose.

Funding received by the Nation will be used for the Muscogee ACE Project to enhance student and family educational choice by creating a Service Provider System website including evidence-based, culturally responsive service options to improve Native American student academic outcomes.

“We are very excited to receive this highly competitive grant,” project director and MCN Federal Programs Administrator Sarah Price said. “Our Nation has distinguished itself as a leader in fostering growth and partnerships with Native students and public education agencies within and outside our Muscogee Reservation.”

“The ACE grant enables us to expand on this vision by providing additional support for students, families, and communities in our mutual pursuit for educational excellence and equity.”

SPS will be developed within the first year to identify needs through Muscogee (Creek) student and family input and needs identified in the areas of culturally responsive programming, college/career readiness fees, resources and supports, tutoring and other educational options for academic support.

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For immediate release Nov. 12, 2020

Muscogee (Creek) Nation aids families during Thanksgiving Holiday

CARES Act funds to provide meals to tribal citizens

OKMULGEE, Oklahoma — The Muscogee (Creek) Nation will provide meals for up to 4,000 Muscogee (Creek) families Nov. 19 with a special Thanksgiving holiday drive-thru food giveaway.

The Nation will have eight locations participating in the event. Sites include the Mvskoke Dome at the Claude Cox Omniplex in Okmulgee and the following Indian Community Centers: Bristow, Dewar, Eufaula, Holdenville, Muskogee, Okemah and Tulsa.

To obtain a package, participants must be enrolled Muscogee (Creek) Nation citizens. Each citizen must provide a citizenship card or photo or copy of that card. Citizens are limited to one (1) box per household. Recipients are welcome to pick up & deliver a food package to another family with proof of that household’s citizenship.

The event is the second of its kind hosted by the tribe. In October, families received fresh produce, canned vegetables and soups, a variety of grains along with a protein.

“We are blessed to be able to help over 4,000 families this Thanksgiving,” said MCN Tourism & Recreation Office Manager Ryan Logan. “This event and further events will help our tribal members who may have been having to make tough decisions such as having food throughout the month or putting on a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Thanksgiving is when we show our gratitude for all the good things in our lives over the past year, so we want each of our tribal families to have the opportunity to share in such a meaningful holiday.”

“As COVID-19 has made its way through the Muscogee Nation, our priority is to ensure our citizens are taken care of, with this food we can ensure that meals are not a worry for them.”

This event would not be possible without the help of more than 100 volunteers including tribal government employees and community members. The volunteers work tirelessly filling packages one day and loading packages and directing traffic the next.

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With headquarters in Okmulgee, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation encompasses 11 counties, either entirely or in part in northeast Oklahoma and is the fourth largest tribal government in the U.S. The Nation employs more than 3,000 people and provides vital services such as health care, housing, education assistance, and social services to its citizens as well as operates other programs including culture and language preservation. 

For Immediate Release
Nov. 5, 2020

Muscogee (Creek) Nation passes legislation for medical marijuana exemption

Law addresses concerns for license holders within the Mvskoke Reservation

OKMULGEE, Oklahoma — The Muscogee (Creek) Nation passed legislation that would allow certain exemptions related to medical marijuana within the reservation boundaries.

NCA 20-083 amended Title 14 Crimes & Punishment section E and W that would exempt medical marijuana license holders from being in possession of a controlled dangerous substance as long as they are in compliance under Oklahoma state law.

The legislation also establishes new law under Title 14 entitled, “Medical Marijuana Exception; Application and Limitations.”

Section A of the new law states, “it shall not be unlawful for any person to grow, process, dispense, test, possess, or use marijuana in any form in the Nation’s Indian country under a valid medical marijuana license issued by the Oklahoma State Department of Health as long as such person is in compliance  with all medical marijuana license laws and regulations under Oklahoma State law.”

This action in lawmaking is credited to the Mvskoke Reservation Preservation Commission’s recommendation to provide clarity and eliminate uncertainty as to whether the Nation will enforce any criminal law against anyone who possesses a valid medical marijuana license.

“This is an excellent example of the Nation exercising its sovereignty to amend its criminal law to address public safety issues in the Mvskoke Reservation,” Principal Chief David Hill said. “Furthermore, this is a pro-business action by the Commission and commitment to individuals and entities licensed in medical marijuana endeavors throughout the reservation.”

The Commission will continue to analyze the medical marijuana issue to develop in-depth and long-term recommendations to the National Council that will identify possible regulatory and taxation authority, as well as economic development opportunities concerning medical marijuana.

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Muscogee (Creek) Nation traffic code gets an extensive update

Over 90 pages of legislation passed into law for Lighthorse law enforcement

OKMULGEE, Oklahoma — Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police Department has expanded its traffic code to accommodate the increased jurisdictional authority following the McGirt decision.

After the historic decision, MCN Attorney General’s Office researched and drafted the new traffic code as the necessity became apparent for the Nation to strengthen its law to provide safety for all within the reservation boundaries.

The new traffic law has been adopted to provide a more comprehensive code for enforcement within the Mvskoke Reservation.

MCN Code Annotated Title 22 entitled, “Traffic Code” has been repealed and the new law sits under Title 14, “Crimes and Punishments” subchapter, “Jurisdiction; Lighthorse Authority.”

“The new traffic code is far more comprehensive than the existing traffic code,” MCN Attorney General Roger Wiley said. “The new code covers areas of the law not addressed by the existing code. Some of these areas include– driving under suspension; traffic signs and markings; bicycles and pedestrians; unlawful use of a cell phone; required safety equipment as well as many other topics.”

Wiley said other tribal traffic laws as well as model traffic codes adopted by various states were used to develop the new code.

Lighthorse Police officers will be required to become familiar with the various new provisions of our traffic law as well as the expanded traffic rules they will be called upon to enforce.

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OKMULGEE, Oklahoma — Principal Chief David Hill of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation released the following statement in response to the Initial Findings of the Oklahoma Commission on Cooperative Sovereignty.

“We listened with an open mind to Governor Stitt and the presentation of the report of his Oklahoma Commission on Cooperative Sovereignty and walk away with more questions and concerns.

If fairness were the standard as the Governor states, our tribes would still be on our ancestral lands, not here in Oklahoma. But we can’t rewrite history, and neither can the Governor. His claim that enacting statehood in 1906 eliminated separate tribal reservations is blatantly false and unsupported by decades of laws.

The Governor’s recommendations sadly promote the radical arguments of the special interest supported Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA), which recently called for the disestablishment of Indian reservations in Oklahoma. Many other states with large reservations have worked collaboratively with tribal nations to address a wide array over intergovernmental matters without resorting to federal legislation that undermines sovereignty. We believe that Oklahoma and tribal nations can engage in that same effort.

The governor and his team repeatedly said they don’t have many answers. Given the lack of consultation with our Nation and others, it’s little wonder that they are struggling to find solutions. We asked the Governor over three months ago to work with us to forge partnership agreements that secure the health, safety, well-being and prosperity of all Oklahoma citizens but we never heard back.

Even for a Commission that lacked any tribal voices and representatives, the anti-Indian bias that flows through the Governor’s recommendations is shocking.

It is clear that current law allows us to work as partners with the state to address any and all changes prompted by the Supreme Court decision. Demands for Congress to enact a one-size-fits-all federal mandate won’t solve anything but will undermine tribal sovereignty throughout the Nation.

We stand ready, willing and able to work with state and local officials. So, if the Governor is serious about finding real solutions that benefit all Oklahomans, our invitation to work together remains open and we’ll await his call.”

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Mvskoke Loan Fund receives $540K in awards

MLF CEO calls award ‘another win’ for the Nation 

OKMULGEE, Oklahoma — The Mvskoke Loan Fund received awards from The United States Department of Treasury, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund – Native American Community Assistance Program in the amount of $540,000.

The NACA Program generates economic opportunity for Native communities by supporting the creation and expansion of Native CDFIs with Financial Assistance (Base-FA) and Technical Assistance (TA) awards.

This allows Native CDFIs, such as MLF, to help create jobs, establish or improve affordable housing and provide accessible financial services and counseling within their communities.

The NACA Program is funded annually from the United States Congress, awards are made each year through a competitive process that spans several months.

MLF CEO Christopher Coburn calls the awards to MLF ‘another win’ for the Nation.

Coburn said winning the competitive award shows that MLF is being recognized as a leader among Native CDFIs and further illustrates growth as a financial institution to better serve MCN citizen clients.

“That brings us to over $828K in awards heading into FY21 with other applications still pending,” he said. “Our best year ever already.”

MLF will dedicate $440,000 to lending capital and $100,000 to lending capital and TA funds focused on Okfuskee County.

For more information about Mvskoke Loan Fund, contact: 918-549-2603, or visit: www.mvskokeloanfund.org.

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