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September 29, 2012
ON Executive Branch hosts Hulah Lake community meeting

Park events scheduled including Wah-Sha-She Trade Weekend Oct. 6-7; Fish tournament on Oct. 20

The Osage tribe and its community members are coming together to put the former Wah-Sha-She State Park back on the map.

“The Wah-Sha-She State Park is an exciting prospect for the Osage Nation,” said Raymond Lasley, Osage Nation Executive Advisor of Programs.

The Oklahoma state government shut down the park last year which borders Hulah Lake west of Copan. Despite the closure, area residents, including Osages, enjoy their recreational time at the park and some of them encouraged the Nation to take over the maintenance.

September 7, 2012
Pawhuska Osage Fitness Center undergoing renovations

Center closed until further notice; Congressional committee to review fitness center budgets Sept. 10

What appears to be black mold, missing ceiling panels and broken fitness equipment were just some of the problems at the Osage Nation Fitness Center in Pawhuska. It recently closed for renovations and will be closed until further notice.

“It had been like that for a long time,” said a source about the structural problems found within the center. The source asked not to be named for this article. “I didn’t work out for two years and it seems like it was in the same condition when I started working out again.”

September 29, 2011
ON employees picket outside Congress chambers for Merit pay

Congresswoman Shannon Edwards withdraws her amendment to cut funding for the Executive Branch’s FY 2012 Merit Pay for Performance bonus

Osage Nation employees got their way Sept. 29 when Congresswoman Shannon Edwards withdrew an amendment to cut Executive Branch funding for Merit Pay for Performance for fiscal year 2012.

About 20 protesters showed up with signs outside the Osage Congressional Chambers before the session started that read: “Don’t Be Square Be Fair!”; “We Voted You In – But Not Again!”; “You don’t Merit My Vote!”; and many more.

September 21, 2011
ON Congress overrides Chief Red Eagle's veto setting rules for Congressional Special Sessions

Congress overrides veto 11-1 requiring 10-day notices of Special Sessions; Revised election code signed into law by Chief Red Eagle

The Second Osage Nation Congress overrode Osage Nation Principal Chief John Red Eagle's veto Sept. 19, which sets notice periods and limitations in calling for Congressional Special Sessions. Congress voted 11-1 to override the veto so the bill becomes law.

June 8, 2011
Congress subpoenas Executive Branch officials for questions on tax documents

Congressional Affairs committee hears testimony regarding Congressional compensation, taxation

The Second Osage Nation Congress issued two subpoenas for the Nation’s Treasurer and Human Resources director to appear before the Congressional Affairs Committee regarding the Congress members’ compensation and income taxation on April 15.

April 29, 2011
Chief Red Eagle issues ‘gag order’ on Nation’s directors

Policy asks Nation’s directors to refer all questions and suggestions from Osage Congress to Chief’s Office

In the words of Osage Congressman William “Kugee” Supernaw in his email newsletter, “GOOD GOLLY GRANNY!! IT’S ANOTHER GAG ORDER.”

A communication directive was emailed to the Nation’s directors April 25 by Senior Executive Advisor Faren Anderson that said, “all directives and requests from Congress members regarding departments be directed to Raymond Lasley, Executive Advisor of Programs, for assistance.”

As a director, who wished to remain anonymous, put it, “That’s a gag order.”

February 18, 2011
Osage employees worked in blizzard conditions for their community

The unsung heroes during the recent snowstorms made sure the streets were cleared, sidewalks were iced, emergencies were handled and the sick were treated

 

January 27, 2011
Vacancy opens on the ON Gaming Enterprise Board

Gene Big Soldier resigns from ON Gaming Enterprise board

A vacancy opened on the Osage Nation’s three-person Gaming Enterprise Board last month after Gene Big Soldier resigned.

Gaming board Chairman Frank Oberly said Big Soldier resigned as board treasurer during the board’s Dec. 15 meeting, according to meeting minutes reported by the Gaming Enterprise. No reason or date for the resignation was listed.

The Osage News inquired with the Executive Branch about the gaming board resignation/ vacant position. A response was not received before this article was printed.

November 16, 2010
Treasurer transition briefly stops reimbursement checks for Health Benefit Card

Chief’s office said the checks will be released this week

It’s been a month since reimbursement checks have been mailed to Osage parents to pay for medical bills in accordance to the Nation’s Health Benefit Card program but the Chief’s Office said the checks will be mailed out soon.

September 22, 2010
Chief Red Eagle’s budget causes friction with some members of Congress

Office of the Chiefs budget approximately $214,000 higher than last budget filed for Gray administration

[Editor's Note: This story was updated for clarification purposes on Sept. 23.]

Principal Chief John Red Eagle’s budget for the Office of the Chiefs has been causing some friction between some members of Congress and his staff. His budget contains new job titles for appointed members and he is claiming “Executive Privilege” when asked to provide job descriptions.

August 18, 2010
New administration brings experience from tribal governments and ON Congress

Former ON Congress Speaker Faren Revard-Anderson named senior adviser to Chief Red Eagle and Assistant Chief BigHorse

Principal Chief John Red Eagle has released the details of his new administration’s qualifications and the experience they will bring to his new administration.

July 8, 2010
Proctor credits her law background as an asset for Assistant Principal Chief’s office
If elected, ‘we’ve got to put in some long hours’
July 8, 2010
Scott BigHorse discusses his legislative experience and bridging the gap
BigHorse says his experience as a state representative will be invaluable
July 7, 2010
Osage Nation Health & Wellness Board Meeting
Meeting to be held at Osage Nation Executive Branch
July 7, 2010
Second Osage Congress Members receive training
Native American affairs consultant engages future Congress members in discussions on how to hold legislative gatherings
July 7, 2010
Tall Chief ready to bring leadership experience to principal chief’s office
Seasoned teacher and government leader to bring a ‘standard of excellence’ to gov’t operations, if elected
June 30, 2010
BigHorse and Proctor debate for the office of Assistant Chief
The candidates were asked eight questions with three minutes to answer and one minute for rebuttal
June 28, 2010
Principal Chief runoff election candidates debate on Osage issues
Red Eagle and Tall Chief answer questions about their prospective administrations, budgets and the reservation status case
June 10, 2010
Provisional ballots counted, June 7 election results the same
July 19 runoff election set for Principal Chief, Assistant Principal Chief candidates. Those seeking a recount have until 3:35 p.m. Saturday to make request
May 24, 2010
ON Congress votes down merit-based employment system for the Nation’s employees
The merit-based employment system is required by the Osage Constitution
May 24, 2010
PRESS RELEASE: Terry Mason Moore appointed as interim Gaming Commissioner
Click here to read the Press Release from the Executive Branch
March 24, 2010
Questionnaire in health debit card applications causes controversy
Osages encouraged to fill out ‘what applies to them’ in questionnaire to receive debit card
February 26, 2010
Osage Minerals Council approves resolution to send to Osage Congress
Resolution asks for Congress to amend Election Law to allow the OMC to run its own election in June
February 6, 2010
Chief’s Office says health benefit card applications to be mailed out by the end of this month
‘Additional agreement’ with third-party administrator caused delay in applications
January 13, 2010
Osage budgets pass Friday at $23.9 million for the 2010 fiscal year

Congresswoman Faren Anderson: ‘This year you have to make choices for the program together.’ Osage Nation Language program budget reduced

After three-and-a-half months of back and forth between the Osage Nation Congress and the Principal Chief of the Osage Nation, the 2010 fiscal year budgets were passed and signed into law on Friday at $23.9 million.

“I’m just relieved that the budgets got passed,” said Chief Jim Gray at an all employees meeting at the Wah Zha Zhi Cultural Center Tuesday. “I also want to apologize to all of you. To be caught up in a political tug-of-war between the Executive and Congress was totally unfair to you. I never intended to involve you in this.”