Carl Sellers. Courtesy Photo/Carl Sellers

By Carl “Chico” Sellers, Candidate for Osage Nation Principal Chief

HA-WE! I am Carl Lee “Chico” Sellers. I am of Osage and Cherokee decent, and of the Buffalo Bull Clan, and Strike Axe Band, running for Principal Chief of the Osage Nation. As a life long resident of Pawhuska, I have been dancing for the past 30 years and serve as a committee member on the Pawhuska In-lon-schka dances. On my Osage side, I am a direct descendant of Pierce St. John. My mother was Kathleen Rector and her mother was Dora St. John. My Osage name is Obee Cosa To-ah and it means Little Buffalo Horn. I am also an Osage shareholder. My wife is Denise Keahtigh Sellers and together we have six daughters, two sons and 10 grandchildren.

For the last 28 years, I have worked as the Athletic Director for Dick Conner Correctional Center in Hominy, OK. As a department head, my responsibilities have been to oversee the departmental budget, hiring, order supplies, negotiate contracts with vendors, teach CPR, First Aid, A.E.D., and manage over 1300 offenders in both the minimum and high medium facility.

Twenty eight years ago, I started a charity run for abused children with all the proceeds staying here in Osage County and going to the Youth Services Shelter of which I have been a board member for the past 20 years.

• Community Involvement
• Past President of the Pawhuska Parks and Recreation Summer Program
• Former JOM President
• Co-coordinator and Torch runner for Osage County Special Olympics
• Member Pawhuska Elks Lodge
• Member Haskell Alumni Association
• Past member of American Red Cross and American Heart Association
• Member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
• Osage Nation Shareholder
• Pawhuska Committee member for In-lon-schka dances
• Little League Baseball and Football Coach/Referee

Educational Background:

• Pawhuska High School Graduate
• A.A. Degree from Haskell Indian Junior College
• B.A. Degree in Education from Central State in Edmond, OK
• Former Teacher at Phoenix Indian School

Hobbies:

• Attending Pawhuska High School Football Games
• Watching my daughter Devon play basketball
• Enjoying my grandchildren
• Yard work
• Studying History

I plan to implement the following developments for the sake of the Osage Nation’s growth and stability:

• Increasing the opportunities for success available to our students, tribal industries and entrepreneurs
• Institutionalizing an evaluation of annual performance, including a comprehensive forensic audit, and open books.
• Representation for out of state Osages
• Stimulus plan for Osage Nation membership.
• Free and independent press
• Continue cultural education
• Fulfilling the traditional obligations of our Osage Nation by improving citizens’ access to healthcare, and cultural education

I believe the key to a successful Osage Nation lies in tactful diplomacy. Our nation-to-nation relationship with the Federal government must be strengthened to the advantage of the Osage shareholders and citizens.

I’d like to thank all of the citizens, representatives and employees who have created the current momentum I intend to build upon as Principal Chief of the Osage Nation.