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Articles by Thomas Jackson
Bill to change DUI enforcement passes BFJ
MVSKOKE RESERVATION – A bill changing how DUI charges are to be enforced and punished on the reservation passed the Business, Finance, and Justice committee on Feb. 19. Proposed by the Attorney General’s Office and sponsored by Representative William Lowe, the bill, NCA 26-034, passed unanimously and will be voted on by the National Council during the Regular Session on Feb. 28.
BFJ passes bill to evaluate compensation
MVSKOKE RESERVATION – On Feb. 24, the Business, Finance, and Justice Committee held an in-person meeting. Passed legislation will go on to the next full council meeting, unless otherwise noted.
Baker Botts’ 39th Annual Environmental Seminar – Key Takeaways from Breakout Session #2 | JD Supra
Baker Botts' 39th Annual Environmental Seminar featured two breakout sessions covering the latest environmental, safety and incident response developments and trends. Key takeaways from breakout session 2 are outlined below: Topic 1: Environmental Enforcement in Transition Speakers:Partners Kent Mayo and Matt Morrison and Associate Indya Woodfolk Key Takeaways Federal enforcement priorities are shifting toward compliance assistance.
Canvas-ing for support
TULSA – Mvskoke citizens had a chance to make Valentine’s Day cards, meet an indie filmmaker, and help raise money for a grassroots film project that shines a light on the plight of caregivers in an event held at the Four Mothers Collective in Tulsa on Feb. 7. The film, which will be made by Julie Little Thunder (Southern Cheyenne), is titled “The Self She is Now.” The film tells the story of Kendra Keahbone, an Indigenous writer who decides to take care of her mother, Evelyn, who has dementia.
Philbrook screens new documentary “POWWOW PEOPLE”
TULSA – The Philbrook Museum of Art has expanded its mission of creating community through art to include film with its series of events, titled Films at the Museum. It began with a Jan. 30 screening of the documentary “POWWOW PEOPLE,” directed by Sky Hopinka (Ho-Chunk, Pechenga). Prior to the screening, a panel including Hopinka, Executive Producer Sterlin Harjo (Seminole, Mvskoke), and Producer and Director of the Sundance Institute’s Indigenous Program Adam Piron (Kiowa, Mohawk).
BFJ passes bills to update criminal codes
MVSKOKE RESERVATION – On Jan. 22, the Business, Finance, and Justice Committee held an in-person meeting. Passed legislation will go on to the next full council meeting, unless otherwise noted. The committee addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills: TR 26-002 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Janet Maylen to serve on the Mvskoke Loan Fund board was passed with a vote of 4-0.
MCN Scholarship Foundation offers discounted tickets to upcoming OU basketball games in fundraiser
OKMULGEE – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s Scholarship Foundation is offering a chance to attend two basketball games at the University of Oklahoma at a discount, while also helping the Foundation raise money. Specifically, the Foundation is offering discounted tickets to a Women’s Basketball game against South Carolina on Jan. 22 with tipoff at 6 p.m., and a Men’s Basketball game against Texas on Jan.
Our Blood Institute reports emergency blood shortage
MVSKOKE RESERVATION – As the annual Tribal Blood Drive Challenge comes to an end, Our Blood Institute, which provides blood to all of Oklahoma and parts of Arkansas and Texas, is reporting a critical shortage of blood. According to a statement released by OBI, their supply has dropped to roughly 2,200 units of blood, compared to approximately 5,200 units at this time last year, a drop of almost 60%.
College of the Muscogee Nation establishes Campus Police Department
OKMULGEE – The College of the Muscogee Nation is adding to its security and law enforcement team with the establishment of a Campus Police Department. The new police force was honored at its launch during a ceremony at CMN’s Lecture Hall on Jan. 8. Levi Payne previously served as Lead Security Officer at CMN and is now the new Campus Police Chief.
Museum Broken Arrow announces 2026 lineup
BROKEN ARROW – The Museum Broken Arrow has just announced its annual lineup of exhibitions for 2026, and the museum will continue its work with local and Indigenous artists in multiple exhibits.
“Free Leonard Peltier” documentary shown at Circle Cinema
TULSA – The life and struggle of Native activist Leonard Peltier (Turtle Mountain Chippewa/Ojibwe/Lakota) was brought to Circle Cinema in Tulsa in a screening of the documentary “Free Leonard Peltier” on Dec. 18. The screening was a one-night-only event that was free and open to the general public and was sponsored by Friends of the Circle, the Indian Territory Film Festival, and the Flint Family Foundation.
Oklahoma’s Dark History Exposed in new book
MVSKOKE RESERVATION – Mvskoke citizen Tatianna K. Duncan released “Indian Territory: Surviving 160 Acres of Betrayal,” on Dec. 13. The book illuminates the dark origins of the City of Tulsa, how it was built on stolen land from Indigenous allottees, through the telling of her own family’s story. The book was originally a research project about her family that evolved into a massive investigation culminating in the book.
BFJ passes bill to increase National Council salaries
MVSKOKE RESERVATION – On Dec. 11, the Business, Finance and Justice Committee held an in-person meeting. Passed legislation will go on to the next full council meeting, unless otherwise noted.
Lawsuit between MCN, Ross Group enters settlement phase
OKMULGEE – A lawsuit between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Ross Group Construction Corporation, a construction firm out of Tulsa, may soon be settled in MCN District Court through mediation which began on Dec. 4. The lawsuit relates to the construction of the Eufaula Indian Health Center, which is operated by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health.
Legal conflict continues between Stitt and Drummond
MVSKOKE RESERVATION – The conflict between Governor Kevin Stitt and Attorney General Gentner Drummond has continued as Stitt responded to Drummond’s refusal to prosecute Indigenous people hunting and fishing on Tribal land without a state-approved license, choosing to attack Drummond for his decision to abide by Tribal law. In a press release sent out on Nov.
MCN Supreme Court orders Freedmen case status report
OKMULGEE – The legal battle between the Freedmen descendents and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Citizenship Board continues to play out in the MCN Supreme Court. In an order filed on Nov. 13, the MCN Supreme Court directed the Citizenship Board to submit monthly reports on the status of compliance with the court’s order granting Grayson and Kennedy citizenship. This was in response to a renewed motion for contempt filed on Oct. 14.
Bixby flies MCN flag at official buildings, Broken Arrow to follow
BIXBY – The city of Bixby became the first city in Oklahoma to use the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s flag as a part of their official flags flown at government buildings during a ceremony on Nov. 10.
Bixby flies MCN flag at official buildings, Broken Arrow to follow
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Michael Houser gets sentenced in casino embezzlement case
MUSKOGEE – Former MNGE employee Michael Anthony Houser was taken into the custody of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons on Nov. 10. Houser, a former manager who worked for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Gaming Operations Authority Board, which later became known as Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises (MNGE), was sentenced for embezzlement and tax fraud, according to a press release sent out by the United States Attorney’s Office’s Eastern District of Oklahoma.
Resolution to settle lawsuit passed by BFJ & HEW
MVSKOKE RESERVATION – On Nov. 12, the Business, Finance and Justice committee and the Health, Education and Welfare committee held a joint meeting. Passed legislation will go on to the next full council meeting, unless otherwise noted.
Additional funds for 50th MCN Festival passed by BFJ
MVSKOKE RESERVATION – On Nov. 6, the Business, Finance and Justice Committee held an in-person meeting. Passed legislation will go on to the next full council meeting, unless otherwise noted. The committee addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills: NCR 25-004 A resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation selecting Owen Sapulpa to the Board of Directors of OneFire Holding Company, LLC was passed with a vote of 4-0.
AG Drummond sides with tribes
MVSKOKE RESERVATION – Gentner Drummond, the Attorney General of Oklahoma, announced in a statement on Oct. 30 that he will be dismissing charges related to Indigenous hunting and fishing within Indian Country without a state license. According to Drummond, he will not prosecute Indigenous people who are hunting and fishing within Indian Country as long as they are abiding by tribal law.
MCN opens new Traffic Court at Riverwalk in Jenks
JENKS – Tribal citizens living in the Northern part of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation reservation no longer have to travel to Okmulgee to settle traffic disputes in court, as the Nation has opened a new traffic court in Jenks. Located at the MCN-owned Riverwalk Terrace, the court will hold traffic and DUI cases that fall under Muscogee (Creek) Nation jurisdiction in the Tulsa area multiple times per month, beginning in November.
Dr. Kirsten Kunkle performs musical piece in Cleveland, OH
CLEVELAND – Soprano vocalist Dr. Kirsten Kunkle (Mvskoke) and composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate (Chickasaw) are working together once again on a project and performance known as Ko’koomfena, Our Grandmother, held at the Suzanne and Paul Westlake Performing Arts Center in Cleveland from Oct. 16-19. Kunkle and Tate recently sat down with Live Wire, to discuss the performance which was sponsored by CityMusic Cleveland. Ko’koomfena is sung in the Shawnee language- a first for Kunkle.
Bill to limit National Council representative terms passed by BFJ, expanding Chief terms fails
MVSKOKE RESERVATION – On Oct. 21, the Business, Finance and Justice Committee held an in-person meeting. Passed legislation will go on to the next full council meeting, unless otherwise noted.
Bills to fund more MCN Health facilities passed by BFJ & HEW
MVSKOKE RESERVATION – On Oct. 21, the Business, Finance and Justice committee and the Health, Education and Welfare committee held a joint meeting. Passed legislation will go on to the next full council meeting, unless otherwise noted.
Bill to allow the use of grants and agreements by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation passed BFJ
MVSKOKE RESERVATION – On Oct. 16, the Business, Finance and Justice Committee held an in-person meeting. Passed legislation will go on to the next full council meeting, unless otherwise noted. The committee addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills: NCR 25-003 A resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming Rebecca Landsberry-Baker to serve on the Mvskoke Media Editorial Board was passed with a vote of 3-1.
A look into the University of Tulsa’s Digital Rematriation Project
By Thomas Jackson/Reporter, Meredith Johnson/Reporter TULSA – The University of Tulsa and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation are collaborating on a digital rematriation project known as Mvskokvlke Hofone Enfulletv Rastvwetv (To Bring the Ways of the Mvskoke Back).
Stroble files petition for U.S. Supreme Court review in tax case
MVSKOKE RESERVATION – On Sept. 29, Muscogee (Creek) Nation citizen Alicia Stroble asked the United States Supreme Court to review the decision made by the Oklahoma Supreme Court, which decided she must pay state income tax despite previous lower court decisions. Stroble, who works as the Secretary for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council, filed a petition for a writ of certiorari, which would require the Oklahoma Supreme Court to send the case to the Supreme Court for review if accepted.
BFJ passes legislation to enter an agreement with U.S. Attorney’s Office
MVSKOKE RESERVATION – On Sept. 23 and Sept. 27, the Business, Finance and Justice Committee held in-person meetings. Passed legislation will go on to the next full council meeting, unless otherwise noted.
Scholars, tribal leaders discuss blood quantum
TULSA – People from across Tulsa attended a recent discussion at the University of Tulsa on one of the most controversial topics in Indian Country: blood quantum. The Sept. 11 event at 101 Archer, titled “Beyond Blood Quantum: Sovereignty and Tribal Enrollment,” featured a talk with author Norbert Hill Jr. (Oneida); Jennifer Hill-Kelley (Oneida, Kiowa, Comanche), former judge for the Oneida Nation’s Court of Appeals; and Jim Gray (Osage), former Chief of the Osage Nation.
BFJ passes National Council term limits to council
MVSKOKE RESERVATION – On Sept. 18, the Business, Finance and Justice Committee held an in-person meeting. Passed legislation will go on to the next full council meeting, unless otherwise noted. The committee addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills: TR 25-073 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Tim Wheeler to serve on the Mvskoke Loan Fund Board was passed with a vote of 4-0.
MCN/Tulsa Redevelopment Project moves to City Council
TULSA – The Southern Villa District Economic Development Project, a redevelopment project involving the City of Tulsa and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, recently went through a committee hearing and began the public comment process on Sept. 10. The project, which would bring more than 210,000 square feet of high-end retail space, as well as 652 to 780 multi-family residential units, sits in between Riverside Parkway and Lewis Avenue in Tulsa, near 87th Street.
IHS service provides construction of water and sewage services for American Indians
MVSKOKE RESERVATION – The Indian Health Service (IHS) has a water, sewage, and sanitation construction service that will be useful to citizens of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. According to the IHS, the service is part of the effort to “raise the health status of American Indian and Alaska Native people to the highest possible level.” The program provides safe water, waste water, and solid waste sewage services.
MCNNC caught in the middle
MVSKOKE RESERVATION – A recent conflict between the Cherokee Nation and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians came to the Mound Building on Aug. 23, as leadership from both groups spoke during the Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council’s Regular Session. At issue was MCN Tribal Resolution 25-079, which formally opposed a set of proposed U.S. Congressional language written by U.S Senator Markwayne Mullin (Cherokee).
Author Russell Cobb talks Tulsa, Indigenous history
TULSA – Russell Cobb, author of the books “The Great Oklahoma Swindle: Race, Religion, and Lies in America’s Weirdest State” and “Ghosts of Crook County: An Oil Fortune, A Phantom Child, and the Fight for Indigenous Land” recently completed his time as a short-term fellow at the University of Tulsa’s Helmerich Center for American Research (HCAR). Cobb gave a talk on Aug. 28, wrapping up his tenure at the center.
Criminal Justice bills pass BFJ
MVSKOKE RESERVATION – On Aug. 19, the Business, Finance and Justice Committee held an in-person meeting. Passed legislation will go on to the next full council meeting, unless otherwise noted.
Law to increase age of consent passes BFJ
MVSKOKE RESERVATION – On Aug. 14, the Business, Finance and Justice Committee held an in-person meeting. Passed legislation will go on to the next full council meeting, unless otherwise noted. The committee addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills: TR 25-073 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Tim Wheeler to serve on the Mvskoke Loan Fund Board was postponed with a vote of 3-0.
Energy and mineral development grant application legislation postponed
MVSKOKE RESERVATION – On Aug.12, the Business, Finance and Justice committee and the Land, Natural Resources, and Cultural Preservation committee held an in-person joint session. Passed legislation is subject to full council approval during the regular session.
Mvskoke composer talks her career and her inspirations on Live Wire
OKMULGEE – Mvskoke composer Aryn Ward has been involved with music for years. Originally from Sapulpa, Ward has been involved off-and-on with music since she was in high school, even taking years long breaks before deciding to return to music as a composer. Ward, who lives in Houston with her husband and their four children, spoke to Mvskoke Media’s Live Wire to discuss her inspiration, her career as a composer, and the evolution of her music style. Ward is inspired by connection and people.
Bill for reorganization of Department of Public Safety passes BFJ
OKMULGEE – On July 17, the Business, Finance and Justice Committee held an in-person meeting. Passed legislation will go on to the next full council meeting, unless otherwise noted.
BFJ/LNC pass $40,000 grant application for screenplay
OKMULGEE – On July 22, the Business, Finance and Justice committee and the Land, Natural Resources, and Cultural Preservation committee held a joint session. Passed legislation is subject to full council approval during the regular session.
Culture awareness and knowledge guide educational art day camps
MVSKOKE RESERVATION – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program began its latest series of community outreach work by holding three youth camps promoting cultural arts. These events took place in different cities across the Mvskoke Reservation.
CMN holds resource fair in Okemah
OKEMAH – The College of Muscogee Nation continued its community outreach work by holding a health resource fair at the Okemah Indian Community Center on Monday, July 14.
Affordable housing resolution passes LNC
OKMULGEE – On July 8, the Land, Natural Resources, and Cultural Preservation Committee held an in-person meeting. Passed legislation will go on to the next full council meeting, unless otherwise noted.
Festival Tennis Tournament serves up competition
OKMULGEE, Okla. – The 2025 Muscogee Festival Tennis Tournament was held June 21. Despite the heat, people came to Hawthorn Park in Okmulgee to watch and play tennis. Principal Chief David Hill welcomed all of the competitors and spectators to start the matches and made a point to ask where each of the competitors were from. “I’m so glad all of y’all showed up today.
Slow Pitch tournaments bring fierce competition to Preston
OKMULGEE, Okla. – The 2025 Muscogee Festival Slow Pitch Softball Tournaments kicked off on Saturday, June 21. The events ran through Sunday and were held at the Jim Waller Sports Complex in Preston this year. Due to unfinished construction at the softball fields at the Claude Cox Omniplex in Okmulgee,the tournaments were moved to the Preston venue. However, the change in location did nothing to slow down the fierce competition between the various teams.
HUD-VASH grant passed by HEW/LNC
OKMULGEE, Okla. – The Health, Education and Welfare committee and the Land, Natural Resources and Cultural Preservation committee held a joint meeting at the Mound Building on June 17. Passed legislation is subject to full council approval during the regular session.
MCN launches Capital Fund for small businesses
OKMULGEE, Okla. – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation has just launched a new program to boost economic growth and job creation within the reservation. The program, known as the Muscogee Nation Capital Fund, is worth over $20 million.
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