MCN Chief makes statement regarding election monitoring

OKMULGEE, Okla. — Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief George Tiger has responded to Tribal Resolution 15-156 passed during an emergency session Sept. 8 by the MCN National Council, asking the Carter Center Democracy Program to observe the tribe's upcoming election.

"I am not going to sign the resolution because our election process is outlined in our laws and constitution and we have to be careful to protect our tribal sovereignty," Tiger said. "Our Constitution supersedes any tribal resolution.  Muscogee (Creek) Nation has been around a long time and we’ve got about 80,000 Creek observers already. I’m not opposed to the Carter Commission, or anyone for that matter, observing our election process, but I put my trust in our Mvskoke laws and the citizens I serve, the Mvskoke people, not an outside source."

The resolution narrowly passed with a National Council vote of 9-6.

Tiger has 10 days to sign the resolution or return it to the National Council, but he does not plan on signing it.

The 2015 MCN primary election is Sept. 19. Muscogee (Creek) citizens will head to the polls to vote for the principal chief office and seven National Council seats.

Five candidates, including Tiger, are campaigning for principal chief.