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our citizens. And creating meaningful employment opportunities helps create generational change." But the tribe hasn't always had the ability to create economic growth for itself. With the majority of its land in trust, the tribe was reliant on the federal government for nearly all services prior to 1975 when Congress passed the Indian Self-Determination and Education Act. This was key legislation for tribes because it allowed them federal protections to truly start providing for their own citizenry. In 1988 the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act passed, which opened a federal avenue for tribal gaming. Tribes could now use the trust land through the Permissions Act and the National Indian Gaming Commission. This allowed them the opportunity to exercise those dollars and provide economically for their own people. Although tribal gaming kickstarted economic growth in the 1990s, with constant infringement on Tribal Sovereignty, McCutchen said it's important to continue to diversify revenue streams. The development of Muscogee Nation Business Enterprise in 1999 allowed the tribe to create opportunities outside of gaming. "We have to approach economic growth holistically," McCutchen said. "Jobs being created and skill sets being gained will lessen the burden of our tribal social service programs. The total economic impact must be considered beyond just a bottom line." One of MNB's subsidiary companies is Muscogee Staffing Solutions, which serves commercial and federal clients and staffs both inside and outside reservation boundaries. "A misconception is that our businesses only do work within the Nation," McCutchen said, "but our services are available to tribal and non-tribal businesses alike." Muscogee Staffing Solutions has citizens placed in positions across the country and even internationally in a variety of industries including medical, scientific, professional, and industrial. In 2020 the pandemic brought unique situations for employers, but with its own staffing agency, the Nation was able to mobilize a workforce quickly to keep citizens working and new projects moving forward. The staffing agency placed Jacqueline Rolland of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, in a position within the Nation, helping to process citizens' applications for COVID-19 aid. It provided work during an uncertain time and gave her a way to help her community. "Everyone was impacted by COVID in some way," Rolland said. "I enjoy helping other citizens get back on track." And when the Nation started a meat processing company shortly a er the pandemic, the company hired its employees from Muscogee Staffing Solutions. Trenton Kissee, National Resources Manager and head of the tribe's company, Looped Square Meat Company, said when hiring contract or temporary workers for deer season, access to an in-house staffing agency proved invaluable. "Muscogee Staffing knows what we need, how we operate, and the environment and requirements of our operations," Kissee said. "Having this background knowledge has been integral in reducing unnecessary turnover due to 'fit' or lack of understanding of our requirements." Other MNB subsidiaries include an asset protection company that provides security services both inside and outside of the Nation, a business services company that helps citizens and businesses with support, a manufacturing company, a development company, and a distribution and logistics company. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS PERSONAL MNB is also charged with expanding economic development and the board tries to emphasize the development of locations where the Nation may have idle lands, particularly in rural areas where job scarcity is problematic and where citizens need more economic opportunities. Muscogee Staffing can work to partner in those areas with employers and fill positions with tribal citizens. McCutchen knows first hand the difference these opportunities can make. Raised in a low-income household, she was determined to break cycles of generational trauma. A er working in hospitality and retail management, electrical contracting, and the gaming industry, she was offered a job at Muscogee Nation Business Enterprise as a contract administrator. When she had a child at age 20 and became a single LISA SPENCER, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF MNB (LEFT), VIVIAN MCCUTCHEN, CEO OF MNB (CENTER), STACY GOBIN, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT AND BOARD SECRETARY (RIGHT). 70 maconmagazine.com | APRIL/MAY 2023