Content about Geoffrey Standing Bear

The Osage Limited Liability Company survived a Congressional bill vote aimed at dissolving the entity during the March 23 Osage Nation Congressional session.

Amid concerns from some Congress members over the LLC’s reported money loses and number of Osages currently hired under the entity’s structure, the Nation’s economic development entity will continue operating, but its status and performance will be revisited next month. The LLC is slated to present an annual report to ON government officials with a Congressional meeting set for April 11.

In wake of William Kemble’s resignation as Osage Nation Treasurer, the Second ON Congress ended its 15th Special Session investigation to determine whether Kemble should face a removal trial.

Principal Chief John Red Eagle has also formally accepted Kemble’s resignation and announced that ON Comptroller Michael Lewis will serve as interim treasurer. Kemble issued his written resignation on Feb. 8 addressed to Congress, Chief Red Eagle and the Osage Minerals Council.

During the 14th Special Session, the Second Osage Nation Congress passed a resolution calling for a special election to be held Aug. 13. The special election date follows the recommendation of the ON Election Board, which decided on the Aug. 13 election during its Jan. 18 meeting.

There are six expiring Congressional terms up for grabs, so the June 4 ballot will contain names of those candidates seeking office and will also contain questions on seven proposed Constitutional amendments unrelated to the Minerals Estate.

Rhonda Kohnle is full of stories. But her stories are not the kind most people want to hear.

They are of abused and neglected children, lost in the court system of Osage County and the bureaucracy of the Department of Human Services. She has stories of countless trips to schools, homes, searching for integral information to make sure a child is safe.

Osage students will have their scholarships from the Nation.

The Second Osage Nation Congress unanimously passed an appropriation bill to fund the higher education scholarship program for the spring 2012 semester during its Special Session on Dec. 8.

The Osage Nation Gaming Enterprise Board is undergoing changes after the Second ON Congress passed legislation during the Tzi-Zho Session to expand the board to five members and remove some of its managing authority. The legislation also places the GEB with Osage Casino management staff.

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.

Descendants of Principal Chief Fred Lookout, the longest serving principal chief in the Nation’s history, crowded into the Osage Tribal Museum May 9 to watch the unveiling of his bust.

Four of his grandchildren were present to watch the unveiling. The museum’s director, Kathryn Red Corn, thanked the Lookout family for being there and then thanked the late Chief Lookout for the museum’s existence.

The Second Osage Nation Congress passed a bill amending the Nation’s gaming laws during its single-day Fourth Special Session on Dec. 13. The amendments to the gaming laws serve as updates for the Nation to comply with National Indian Gaming Commission regulations.

The Congress voted unanimously 9-0 on the bill (ONCA 11-09) to amend the Nation’s gaming law after it was fast tracked through the legislative process, which included a Congressional Commerce and Economic Development Committee meeting where discussion on the bill took place.

The Second Osage Nation Congress passed five of seven resolutions Monday for its third Special Session. Each resolution deals with proposed amendments to the Nation’s Constitution and the five passed will appear on the ballot during the tribe’s next election in June of 2012.

“These resolutions… will go to a vote of the people at the next special election or general election,” Congressman William “Kugee” Supernaw said before the vote. “All we’re doing is placing them before the people.”

The Osage Mineral’s Council passed a resolution Sept. 29 to give a donation in the amount of $50,000 to support a lawsuit that could abolish the Osage Constitution.