In accordance with the Osage News Election policy, the Osage News is allowing each candidate 500 words on osagenews.org leading up to the June 2010 election.

Jenny Miller. Courtesy Photo/Jenny Miller

By Jenny Miller, Candidate for Osage Nation Congress

Now is the time for all good Osages to come to the aid of their tribe and I take this opportunity to call all of you to action for the sake of our future as a distinct and honorable tribe of Native Americans.

Now is the time to catch up on the problems plaguing our tribe due to the erroneous implementation or no implementation of Osage and federal law.
The true fact is, the U.S. Congress was fully aware that P.L. 108-431 would not change the 1906 Act and that the testimony given at a Congressional Field Hearing on March 15, 2004 was questionable in that those testifying claimed due to not being shareholders, they were not eligible to receive federal funding and that they were not being recognized as members of a federally recognized tribe.

It has been insinuated by our current leader and his attorney that when the new law (P.L. 108-431) came into effect, the 1906 would be dead. NOT TRUE. Testimony claiming that unless membership and our form of government were changed, non-shareholders would continue to be excluded from federal programs was incorrect.

On September 15, 2004, Prior to the U.S. Congress voting to pass P.L. 108-431, the U.S. Senate Report stated that enactment of H.R. 2912 will not effect any changes in existing law. (Existing law being the 1906 Act.)
On the same day, September 15, 2004, the U.S. Congressional Budget Office gave the following report: Congressional Budget Office Estimates that implementing H.R. 2912 would have no effect on the federal budget because federal agencies currently provide services to all Osage Indians and do not restrict services to those considered to be members of the tribe under the Osage Allotment Act.

Because the U.S. Congress thoroughly researched the effects that H.R. 2912 may have on the tribe and the federal government, it is clear that it is not this new law and form of government that has caused the problems we face today, but the implementation and carrying out of the law according to its intent.

The real problem is failure of those in charge to follow not only federal law, but Osage law. It is because of these acts of defiance with regard to any law that the tribe has lost millions of dollars and continues to lose millions.
I call on each and every one of you to visit my website: www.jenny2010.com for details and documented facts. If you’re 18, Osage, and have a membership card, shareholder OR NOT, you’re eligible to vote. Help us save our future by becoming informed of the true facts and voting accordingly in June.

Membership forms, change of address forms and membership applications are available on the HOT TOPICS page. Newsletters, legal documents, and other information can be found at this website including Congressional voting records. A new series entitled DEFIANT ACTS began on January 1, 2010 and can be found by clicking the DEFIANT ACTS link.
Get involved, become informed, and vote for Jenny Miller.