For Immediate Release
Sept. 18, 2019
Media Contact
Darren DeLaune
O:(918) 732-7617
ddelaune@muscogeenation.com
MCN and FEMA announces partnership
Nation is first tribe to have direct declaration with organization
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma — On Aug. 8, President Donald J. Trump declared a major disaster existed for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and ordered federal aid to supplement the efforts in the affected area of the MCN boundaries during the natural disasters in May and June of this year.
On Sept. 17, Principal Chief signed the FEMA-Tribe Agreement for a partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Association and the Tribe.
Regional Administrator for FEMA Region Six Tony Robinson called it a historic day for MCN.
“This is the first Tribal nation in Oklahoma to have a direct declaration with the Federal Emergency Management Association,” Robinson said. “It is a historic event and we appreciate the partnership.”
MCN Principal Chief James Floyd said the Nation and FEMA will work side-by-side to restore the Nation to the condition it was before the storms.
“We appreciate the partnership that will begin with both FEMA and our Tribe,” Floyd said.
Robinson said both entities will be reviewing documentation and uninsured losses to aid the recovery process.
“Providing financial assistance to help with recovery efforts to rebuild and repair the things that were damaged by the floods,” he said.
Floyd said it was best for the Nation to work directly with FEMA to determine the best route for getting assistance to areas with storm damage.
“That is why we are doing this, signing the agreement to get this association started,” he said.
Robinson said while working with MCN, he hopes other tribes could use what the Nation has done in seeking assistance from the federal government.
“I have to applaud Muscogee (Creek) Nation,” he said. “All disasters begin and end locally. The response effort, what they did and mitigating prior to the event was really a model that could be shared with other tribal nations and jurisdictions throughout the country.”
Floyd said he wanted to thank everyone that helped with the relief efforts that were caused from the flooding.
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