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Content about Congresswoman Shannon Edwards

January 13, 2013
FBI wrapping up Pawhuska village investigation

Federal, tribal charges could be filed in both courts pending investigation outcomes; Next Pawhuska village board meeting scheduled Jan. 21

Federal and Osage Nation law enforcement authorities are wrapping their investigations into the former Pawhuska Indian Village Five-Man Board activities this month, according to ON Attorney General Jeff Jones.

December 2, 2012
FBI investigating former Pawhuska Five-Man Board

Rescheduled village board meeting at 7 p.m.

An investigation by tribal and federal authorities is ongoing to examine the former Pawhuska Indian Village Five-Man Board activities after an Osage Nation Congressional audit stated more than $806,000 of the village’s revenue is unaccounted for.

October 9, 2012
ON Congress confirms Parris, Stewart for the LLC board

Third Special Session set for Dec. 3; Congress to consider appropriation for the LLC

Two certified accountants are now serving on the Osage Limited Liability Company (LLC) Board after the Third Osage Nation Congress confirmed both men on Sept. 10 for three-year terms.

Jim Parris (Osage) and David Stewart appeared before the Congressional body for confirmation interviews before the votes that day. Both men have certified accounting credentials and bring years of professional finance experience to the LLC board which launched in 2009.

September 20, 2012
Osage Nation Congress considering solutions to pass FY 13 budgets

Congress members, Executive Branch discussing idea of lump sum spending to reduce proposed budget amounts

With just over half of the 2012 Tzi-Zho Session completed, the Third Osage Nation Congress is meeting one of its first challenges: budgeting the Nation’s 2013 fiscal year operations while proposing spending cuts to save money for future spending before next September.

July 5, 2012
Osages elected to Third ON Congress take oath of office

First special session scheduled to start July 20

On Independence Day six Osages took the oath of office to serve on the Third Osage Nation Congress at the Congressional Chambers where they will serve their legislative duties over the next four years.

Newly sworn-in Osage Nation Supreme Court Chief Justice Meredith Drent individually called the six newly-elected Osages up to the stage, asked them to raise their right hands and repeat the oath she read aloud.

March 5, 2012
ON tribal judge quashes 2011 Congressional subpoena seeking Treasurer emails

Subpoena sought six months worth of emails from former Treasurer regarding the job aspects; Judge Stepson rules subpoena motion is ‘vague’

An Osage Nation tribal court judge has quashed the 2011 Congressional subpoena served to former Treasurer William Kemble in which the Congress demanded six months worth of emails from Kemble’s work computer concerning any aspect of his job. 

Trial Court Judge Marvin Stepson ruled the written Congressional subpoena ordering Kemble to provide the emails (from February to August 2011) is “vague” and “thus imposes an undue burden or hardship upon the Treasurer” to produce the emails.

January 13, 2012
Osages over age 65 receive $1,000 limit on their health benefit card this year

ON Congress passes resolution for 2012 health benefit card limits; Osages must re-enroll in program to receive health card

Osages age 65 and over now have a $1,000 limit on their health benefit card for the 2012 calendar year.

During its 13th Special Session, the Second Osage Nation Congress unanimously passed a resolution (ONCR 12-05), which authorizes the Treasurer to set the higher maximum payable amount for elder health benefit card users this year.

August 24, 2011
Congress subpoenas accounting staff, Treasurer on accounting practices

Congress calls for a 10th Special Session to hold the subpoena interviews

The Second Osage Nation Congress voted to subpoena Treasurer William Kemble, 10 accounting staffers, various documents and records to investigate tips about potential problems concerning the Nation’s accounting practices.

A motion to issue the subpoenas unanimously passed during the Ninth Special Session held July 5 after Congressman Raymond Red Corn noted the Congress received reports from “multiple sources” about collateralization and transfer of money issues “in rather inexplicable ways and possible relaxation of controls.”

July 8, 2011
ON Congress issues 11 subpoenas to Treasurer and accounting workers

Congressional committee meetings set for July 14 and 15 to hear testimony from subpoenaed individuals

The Second Osage Nation Congress voted unanimously to issue subpoenas to Treasurer William Kemble and 10 other government workers who handle the Nation’s accounting affairs during its brief Ninth Special Session July 5. A total of 12 individuals will appear before a Congressional committee next week.

March 1, 2011
ON Congress unanimously kills two bills revising merit-based employment system

The Executive Branch sponsored bills sought changes to the merit system

The Second Osage Nation Congress unanimously killed two legislative bills seeking changes to the Nation’s merit-based employment system on Day One of the Sixth Special Session after they were fast tracked for that purpose.

The two bills in question, ONCA 11-20 and 11-21, were proposed by the Executive Branch and were sponsored by Congressman Eddy Red Eagle. Both bills, if passed, would have repealed ONCA 10-85, the law that was passed last Fall to establish a merit-based employment system.

January 30, 2011
AG Jeff Jones congressional confirmation questioned by Chief’s Office

Jones unanimously confirmed by Osage Congress Jan. 25

The Second Osage Nation Congress unanimously confirmed Jeff Jones as the Nation’s first Attorney General on Jan. 25 during the second day of its Fifth Special Session. Roughly two hours later the Chief’s Office e-mailed a statement that questioned the validity of Jones’s confirmation.

“While the Chief respects that the Congress may read the Constitution and legislation differently, he feels that the language in the Constitution is clear and that confirmation of appointments are to occur during the regular sessions,” according to the statement.

January 30, 2011
Education department could get oversight board

The Osage Nation Education department could be getting an oversight board soon, something that might relieve some of the problems that have plagued the department

The Osage Nation Education department could be getting an oversight board soon, something that might relieve some of the problems that have plagued the department. In an Osage congressional education committee meeting Jan. 13 Congresswoman Alice Goodfox said that she will be revising her legislation that establishes the board. The legislation has been tabled since the 2010 Tzi-Zho session.

October 7, 2010
ON Congress passes bill expanding Gaming Commission to three members

Gaming Commission expansion bill is subject to NIGC approval

The Second Osage Nation Congress passed two bills during its Oct. 4 session, one of which will expand the Gaming Commission from one to three members.

Ten Congress members unanimously passed ONCA 10-73, a bill sponsored by Congressman Mark Simms to expand the Gaming Commission. Also unanimously passed by Congress was ONCA 10-79 which is “An Act to Improve Congressional Oversight of the Osage Nation Gaming Enterprise.” Its sponsor is Congressman Geoffrey Standing Bear.

December 15, 2009
Congress votes to send a second letter to Chief Gray about budgets

Congress to meet again Thursday, consider bill approving health and wellness budgets being affected by 2010 budget delay

November 5, 2009
Osage Nation Congressman Anthony Shackelford said he was not at Oct. 26 closed-door meeting

Shackelford left to go play golf when other members of Congress discussed dollar amounts in Chief Gray’s budget

November 4, 2009
Congress overrides Chief Gray’s veto on gaming plan of operation

Congress sends budgets back to committee to trim $6 million from Nation’s spending.

October 30, 2009
Congress proposes $3 million in cuts to the 2010 government operations budget, Chief Gray’s office receives cuts

Potential budget reductions will be revisited in another Special Session of Congress starting Monday

September 30, 2009
Congress to consider Foundation Board appointments

Board would be responsible for Nation’s non-profit foundation