Scott BigHorse, Candidate for Assistant Principal Chief

By Shannon Shaw

Osage News

Scott BigHorse is ready to bridge the gap between the Executive Branch and Congress if elected assistant principal chief.

His experience as a state legislator, in which he served a two-year term from roughly 2007 to 2009, will bring invaluable experience and contacts to the new administration, whether it’s John Red Eagle or Tim Tall Chief, he said.

The runoff election is July 19.

Correctional facilities

Besides being a state legislator for two years, BigHorse has carved out a place for himself in Oklahoma correctional facilities. For 13 years he worked at the D. Conner Correctional Center (DCCC) located outside of Hominy and for nine years he contracted with the state by opening the only Co-Facilitated Juvenile Detention Center in the state.

He’s been named Correctional Officer of the Year twice, once for DCCC and the second for Division I Institutions which covers approximately 12 institutions, he said. In 2003 he was promoted the Director of the Juvenile Detention Center to Assistant Director for the Youth Services of Osage County which has five programs within it.

He’s active in the community in which he sits on the Pawhuska City Planning and Zoning Board; he’s the current Chairman of the Friends of the Osage Language, Inc.; he’s a member of the board of directors for the Edwin Fair mental health and he’s a Peace Officer, certified by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training.

Osage community

BigHorse has always been active in the Osage In-Lon-Schka dances and other Osage traditions, he said.

“I have participated in our In-Lon-Schka dances since I was a baby and have grown up in that way of life to the point that it has affected the way I conduct myself when dealing with any situation,” BigHorse said. “[Just as in the In-Lon-Schka] we all have a job to do and we must focus on that job rather than trying to micromanage or worry about everyone else’s job.

“For instance, I want to be your assistant principal chief, I don’t want to be your principal chief during this administration nor do I want to be your director of operations, chief of staff or member of congress,” he said.

He also pointed out that when it comes to the In-Lon-Schka the Osage people put their personal or family differences aside because those differences have no place in the In-Lon-Schka.

“Our government should not be run around personality differences but for the best interest of our Osage people and our Osage government which is much bigger than the sum of individuals serving our government,” he said. “We must begin to put those personality differences aside when we are working for our people in the capacity of an elected official or Osage Nation employee.”

Legislative experience

As a former state legislator he said he is the only candidate that has real experience working within a three-branch government system.

“As a state legislator I joined the National Conference of State Legislators and then joined their Native American Caucus where we developed policy to be sent to Washington, D.C., for bill consideration,” he said. “While a member of the Native American Caucus I chaired the Environment and Natural Resources Committee and Co-Chaired the Transportation Committee.”

From that experience he said it will be his job as assistant chief to explain the intent of legislation to the executive branch through discussions with members of congress and to explain any problems the executive may have with items of legislation.

“I will not participate in the personality conflicts that have plagued our current congress but will work with the executive branch and the principal chief to do what is best for our people and our government,” he said. “This means that I will not take any side but that of our people when congress is divided.

“I will not take a side voting ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on a tie simply because of who may have sponsored the legislation on the table.

“I believe my experience in the Oklahoma State Legislature will help me to do an exemplary job as assistant principal chief when discussing and debating legislative items,” he said.

Policy

His policy ideas focus on making the Osage government more effective and more transparent, he said.

“As a tribal member I would like to see in some form every stream of revenue that comes into the nation (with exception to the minerals estate) and some form of where every stream of revenue leaves the nation and why,” he said. “I work in a business that is audited from four to six times a year on both financial condition and program records, needless to say I believe in being up front and above board with any and all audits.”

He said during his time as a state legislator he formed many valuable contacts within the state to help the principal chief in his decision-making processes.

He is the great grandson of Andrew and Laura BigHorse on his father’s side and the great grandson of Tobe and Mary Trumbly Pearson on his mother’s side. His Osage name is Ki-He-Kah Tah and he is from the Wa-Ka-Ko-Li’n district in Pawhuska. He has been dancing and singing for 40-plus years and he also attends the Native American Church and the Catholic Church.

Assistant Principal Chief candidate Amanda Proctor answers a question during the Osage News Political Debates on June 23. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

By Shannon Shaw
Osage News

Scott BigHorse and Amanda Proctor faced off at the Osage News Political Debates for the Office of the Assistant Principal Chief. Both candidates will be judged by the Osage people on Election Day July 19 for the runoff candidates in the principal chief and assistant chief races.

The candidates were asked eight questions and were given three minutes to answer with one minute for rebuttal. The questions were formed by a seven person question committee made up of Osage News staff and four Osage tribal members; Jason Bussey, Bruce Cass, Marie Rumsey and Jennifer Tiger.

The debate was held on June 23 at the WahZhaZhi Cultural Center in Pawhuska with more than 100 people in attendance. The event was filmed and broadcast live on osagetribe.com and the link to the video is also at the end of this story.

Who would you like to work with as your Principal Chief and why?

“Both have good qualities, both have expertise in the health field,” BigHorse said of principal chief candidates John Red Eagle and Tim Tall Chief. “As assistant chief I could bring in other avenues of expertise. I have experience in law enforcement, in children – abused or neglected.

“They’re both very, very qualified. I’ve been under the arbor with both gentlemen and the Native American Church with [John] Red Eagle,” BigHorse said.

Proctor had a very different answer. Since she is an attorney she pointed out that if the question were in a deposition or a legal proceeding she would have had the question striken from the record because the way a person votes is personal and not even a judge could force a person to disclose their vote. But she thought both men would serve admirably.

“I think for me to answer this question would be a tremendous disservice . . . we as Osages know that this kind of a rift, if created, could last a lifetime. But beyond it being a disservice to me personally it’s also a disservice to the nation and to you,” she said to the audience. “Because the chief and assistant chief have to work together, we have to function as a team and we have to function as a team right out of the gate.”

Administrative competence in tribal government can be a power asset. It must exist in order to deliver quality services and programs to its citizens, attract and retain good people. How will you help the Executive Branch develop the competence to effectively administer its programs and services?

“A good executive director or tribal operations officer . . . I think that person is the cornerstone of an effective tribal government and we have to have the best and the brightest that Indian Country can offer in that capacity,” Proctor said. Proctor is a former housing director for tribal programs and a former program clerk, where she said she got her “sea legs.”

“I’ve done everything as a housing director from writing grant applications, drafting environmental review records, drafting Indian housing plans,” she said. “I’ve rolled up my sleeves and done all of those things and I’m prepared to do all of those things [again] and get this ship sailing smoothly.”

BigHorse said that the cornerstone of the Executive Branch begins with the chief and assistant chief and that to attain administrative competence they need to lead by example. He also touched on that he would like to ensure that the employees receive quality training.

“I think that’s something we need to put in place so that our directors can enhance their abilities and have the additional tools that it takes to run their departments,” BigHorse said. “I would like to see some form of Bill of Rights for our employees, because of the ‘gag order’ . . . the Executive Branch should have an open-door policy.”

Proctor disagreed with BigHorse and said that it will not be her job as assistant chief to micromanage the employees.

“The chief and assistant chief need to be accessible to the employees and citizens but I disagree . . . the chief and assistant chief have some big fires to put out and some real important tasks that need to be handled on a government to government basis and some of these other entities we have issues with such as the state, the [National Indian Gaming Association] and the Secretary of the Interior,” Proctor said. “It’s going to be my job to take that ball down the court; it’s not going to be my responsibility to worry about whether an employee filled the gas tank in the GSA vehicle.”

BigHorse said that maybe Proctor misunderstood him and that in his experience as a state representative good leadership started at the top.

“I think maybe my comments were taken out of context. I’m not talking about micromanaging, I’m talking about setting up a leadership program so that our directors and our employees have proper training in order to deliver services for our people and that does begin with the Executive Branch and it filters down,” BigHorse said. “Every organization I’ve been in starts at the top and it works its way down.”

How will you inspire executive branch employees to higher levels of performance if a merit system is not passed by Congress?

“There are many, many facets of that and one of those is team building and facilitating meetings, learning how to facilitate a meeting and some of that training is something our people need to lift their spirits,” BigHorse said. “If we’re not going to have a merit based system then we need to enhance our employees to the fullest of their ability and that’s what they’ll receive through training. We have Osage people who are in this field, we wouldn’t have to go outside and hire a firm to bring in.”

Proctor said that without a merit system the Nation would first need to make sure all the employee’s salaries were compliant with federal budget parameters; currently the Nation is on a 2003 government pay scale.

“There have been a number of surveys conducted regarding employee satisfaction and most of those surveys have reported that money is not the number one consideration to feeling job satisfaction where other issues such as feeling empowered and feeling appreciated for your work that matter more for the employees,” Proctor said. “When we talk about this merit system we talk about as though it’s discretionary and to some extent it’s not. Because there’s a little document put out by the Office of Management and Budgets, Circular A-87, and it applies to all federally funded tribal programs and that document states that salaries for those federally assisted programs must be necessary and reasonable and how we determine they are necessary and reasonable, the only way to do it really is to compare.

“And you compare not only internally, tribal program to tribal program within one tribe, but you compare those programs to other programs and you compare those tribal programs to other government agencies to make sure that we are paying those people within our federal budget parameters. So we really need to have a way to salary grid and we need to implement that now before we are called on that in a federal program audit as has happened to several of the tribes that I work with,” Proctor said.

If a citizen personally called you to complain about a program or service they didn’t receive, how would you handle the situation?

“As I stated earlier I’ve been a housing clerk and I’ve been a housing director for two tribes and one of those two tribes I am presently a lawyer for in their housing services area and as a housing director I’ve dealt with a lot of complaints,” Proctor said. “One of the things that has served me well is to have a grievance policy and I’ve always had a grievance policy and I had real thorough procedures for how a person attained redress from their unsatisfied service delivery.”

The policy would begin with an informal process and ends with a grievance hearing if the matters not resolved formally and there is always a follow-up to make sure it was resolved.

“We don’t have a grievance policy here at the Osage Nation and I know that because I’ve been aggrieved myself a time or two. I had an issue with the Housing program personally and an issue with the child care program personally and both times I was told that there was no grievance policy,” she said. Proctor said that she wrote a letter by hand and sent it through the proper channels and the outcome was chaotic because there was no formal process. “So, certainly [a grievance process] is something I would implement and I would implement right away.”

BigHorse said he would speak directly to the directors of the programs that received the complaints and ask them to resolve the issue themselves.

“When I was a state legislator I received many calls like this and in my capacity as a state legislator the way that we handled it in both the house and senate side was to call that director in that was over that program and give him the information,” BigHorse said. “There are two sides to every street, just because someone has made a complaint doesn’t mean it’s a viable and legitimate complaint but you still want to hear that person out.

“So you call that director in and you talk to that director and you explain the situation as it has been explained to you and then you allow that director to go down the chain to the person that the person is grieving on and then you let them work that out, you follow up with that director, you call that director back in or you set a time for that director to come back in with a resolve,” he said.

Proctor disagreed.

“I would not defer accountability if it were a grievance that was brought to my attention as [assistant] principal chief. Referring that matter to the program director handle it or not in his or her discretion would not be satisfactory to me,” Proctor said. “I would want to personally follow up with that person and make sure the problem was resolved and if it wasn’t resolved let’s follow through.

“Sometimes we have to be creative and look outside of what the Osage Nation can offer, I’ve had housing clients come to me and they couldn’t be served through HUD [U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development] programs but maybe they can be served through the USDA or some other agency . . . and we explore all of those options to do everything that we can to help that person,” Proctor said.

BigHorse maintained that his chain of command method would be the best way to handle complaints.

“A part of the process, the end process is following up with that constituent,” BigHorse said. “So, that is part of the process, when you talk to that director and that director takes it on down the line in whatever capacity and they work their way through that process and they bring it back to you and you respond to that constituent that gave you that call.”

Do you believe in per cap payments, and please explain why or why not?

“I believe in our future that we do have the ability for per cap but however at this time right now . . . we have many issues that may be costly issues that we’re going to have to deal with,” BigHorse said. “So before we look at any per cap we need to take care of our in-house business and make sure that it is all taken care of and if we have a surplus of monies and we have a rainy day fund and we’ve got backup monies, then yes, I am for per cap.”

Proctor said it would be up to the Osage Nation Congress to make the call on whether or not the Nation would have a per cap payment because it would call for an amendment to the tribe’s revenue allocation plan. The amendment would be subject to the chief’s veto power but she said at this time it isn’t a good idea.

“I think we have a lot of budgetary issues . . . we’ve got to save jobs, we’ve got to save as much as we can for those three casinos that are not on trust restricted land that are in jeopardy and it’s not time to think of new pressures that we can put upon our revenues,” Proctor said. “It’s time to tighten our belt straps and really thinking about what’s important to this Nation.

She said once the casino debacle is taken care of, the Nation’s elders, children, all the housing issues addressed and the Nation’s income is up than she would be open to a per capita payment.

BigHorse disagreed with Proctor in that he said not all good ideas are born from the Congress and that good ideas do come from the Executive Branch.

“I disagree that all ideas must be born in Congress, the Executive Branch is there and they are going to be some of our brightest of the bright in order to sit in those seats and there are a lot of policies that come out of the Executive Branch that are passed down to congress,” BigHorse said.

Proctor said that the legislative branch controls the purse strings of the Nation’s government and it would be up to Congress to allocate the money for the per capita after they make an amendment to the tribe’s revenue allocation plan.

“I don’t disagree that the Executive Branch can generate good ideas and can bring those ideas to the attention of Congress, I’ve certainly got a lot of ideas myself, but an amendment to the tribe’s revenue allocation plan would fall within Congress’s purview,” Proctor said. “I’m certainly open to the possibility of per capita payments but that would depend on the revenue stream or liquidity and that is something that [only those Congress members] sitting in those chairs now knows.”

How do you plan to become an active figure in policy making as our new Assistant Chief?

“In my experience in the state legislature I plan on hitting the ground running, I do not have to go to any sort of school to learn how to develop policy, I’ve developed policy on the state level and I’ve also developed policy for Indian Country on the national level,” BigHorse said.

While in the state legislature he joined the National Conference of State Legislators, he was on the Native American Caucus that was made up of approximately 90 state legislators that addressed the needs of Indian Country throughout the United States.

“We would look at those problems and try to come up with a solution, and we would develop a policy, and then the attorneys from NCSL would take our policy request to Capitol Hill for consideration to be offered before Congress in a bill form,” he said.

Proctor said she already has policies in mind and as an attorney for a number of Indian tribes in Oklahoma she’s seen some of the best and worst practices. She said she crafts policy and makes policy recommendations on “pretty much a daily basis” and only wants to implement the best policy practices she’s seen.

“One of the policies that I think is absolutely critical and time sensitive is a land acquisition program because only persons of half Osage blood or more can hold land under restriction, those people, unfortunately, are becoming fewer and fewer and they’re not leaving what we call Qualified Indian Heirs,” she said. “Those are persons who would be qualified to hold land under restriction usually because of their degree of blood. So we’ve got to go out and find those lands, we’ve got to buy those lands, and we’ve got to lease those lands now before those lands pass out of restricted status.

“No one’s making any more land and certainly not making any more restricted land so that would be a number one policy goal that I would put into place as assistant chief,” she said.

Another policy she would to develop a detention facility that would serve prisoners from Indian tribal justice systems, those would be misdemeanor offenders, usually with alcohol driven offenses because tribal court jurisdiction is limited by federal law to one-year incarceration or a $1,000 fine, she said. There is not one facility of that kind in Indian Country or Oklahoma, not one that takes adult offenders.

“I think this could be not only be a great service to Indian people but it could be a source of economic development,” Proctor said. She also said she would expand housing to all areas of the reservation, not just Pawhuska.

BigHorse responded with a question to Proctor. He wanted to know where she planned to put a detention facility.

“This is the field I come out of, corrections, prisons, it’s a good idea. It is a money maker. Right now the state of Oklahoma has approximately 6,000 adult prisoners in private prisons in the state of Oklahoma and they’re paying $50 a day,” BigHorse said. “The state of Oklahoma houses the same inmate, a little bit tougher inmates, because the private prisons get to pick the cream of the crop.

“The state of Oklahoma houses inmates at $28 a day, my question is where are we going to place this, whose backyard is this going to be and are they going to be willing for us to put it in their backyard?” he said.

Proctor named off the small towns of Ralston, Fairfax, Hominy, Barnsdall, Shidler and Burbank as a few examples of places on the reservation where a detention facility could be built.

“My mother and uncle who are sitting here grew up in a little town called Elgin, Kans., about 20 miles north of here and it doesn’t really exist anymore and what I’d like to do is build this prison in a place where people need jobs and people need hope and people need opportunity because this kind of facility would provide jobs not only as correctional officers . . . but also in the therapeutic area because we would need to provide these people with services,” Proctor said. “Again, they’re misdemeanor inmates, alcohol driven offenses, they’re not felons, they’re not hard core, they’re Indian people who need help and I would like to put these facilities in places where our people need help in the form of jobs.”

If elected, what will your level of responsibility be in relation to the Minerals Council?

“Mine would be as a backup and cooperative role. I know that these past four years that crucial issues have come up and the Minerals Council was needing some of their own travel money and that money was not approved for their travel and in my opinion they’re the ones that should be managing that money . . . we are there to cooperate with the Minerals Council because they are a separate entity,” BigHorse said.

Proctor said she didn’t know of any direct responsibility she would have if any with the Minerals Council but she would like to have a working knowledge of the council’s activities.

“I’m the attorney of record in the case of Fletcher vs. United States . . . and I believe very strongly in the principles behind that case and I believe that non-Indians should not be sharing in those mineral royalties,” she said. “I will hope to monitor that case and will hope to convince the Minerals Council that they too should monitor that case in some way. At least one share was returned by a defendant in that case, a church, and there are more settlements in the pipeline and someone needs to create a fund to pull those shares as they come back in.”

The plaintiffs in Fletcher vs. United States, William Fletcher and Charles Pratt, are asking that all section four royalty payments to shareholders only be paid to Osage shareholders and that all non-Osage shareholders and non-Osage entities be required to give back their shares.

BigHorse said that he didn’t think the majority of Osage shareholders knew about the Fletcher case or what the case stood for. He also said that the attorneys in the case are asking for too much money.

“The only problems that I have with this case is right now the attorneys are asking for $2 million and I would like to hear where that $2 million is going to come from because personally as a shareholder I don’t think all shareholders are aware that this lawsuit is out there and I don’t think they’ve been asked if they want to be a part of that law suit,” BigHorse said. “That’s something that needs to be taken back to the Minerals Council and the Minerals Council should, I believe, do a possible survey if they have over 50 percent of the people that want to pursue that litigation then that’s fine and the money would come out of our shareholder’s money, but that’s the only place where I see that money could come from.”

Proctor disagreed.

“I’m not sure which lawsuit Mr. BigHorse is referring to, I know there are several lawsuits pending, the lawsuit I am the attorney of record on, the Fletcher vs. United States case, I am unaware of any demand for attorneys fees – in fact the attorneys have carried the freight on that case for the last eight years and the attorneys, with their own money, spent up to $50,000 to accomplish this service [when] almost 1,700 non-Indian individuals and entities are collecting those distributions,” she said. “I don’t disagree that the shareholders don’t know what’s going on and that’s because no one on the tribal side is monitoring that case.

“We have heard from the defendants in that case and they’ve tried to give their shares back and we’ve communicated with the various chiefs of this Nation about giving those shares back and they’ve either received no reply or told it was impossible. It’s not impossible and it needs to happen,” she said.

How will you handle disputes with the Congress?

“The key to avoiding disputes is communication,” Proctor said. “The assistant chief is in a very strategic position to build those relationships between the Congress and Executive Branch so I would feel it was incumbent upon myself . . . to explain the disadvantages and the advantages of those laws, to convey the beliefs or the objections or reservations of the principal chief, if that be the case, so those amendments can be made during the legislative process instead of on the back end.”

She said her tribal clients prefer her to be at their council meetings because she brings her mediation practices with her and their meetings always go smoother.

BigHorse said his idea is to bring the chief and the Speaker of the Congress together.

“My idea is to bring the chief and Speaker of the [Congress] together and set up a mediation process so when there are disputes [those] two sides can come together with an unbiased person and sit down and talk through their issues,” BigHorse said. “[They can] come to a common ground without having to file lawsuits and pay attorneys outlandish wages to settle something that is probably simple enough that you can sit down at a table and come to an agreement to.”

Proctor did not disagree with BigHorse and agreed that the lawsuits between the Executive Branch and the legislative branch needs to stop.

“I believe it’s a tremendous waste of resources to fight inter-branch and that’s certainly something that hurts those branches and hurts the Nation,” she said. “I think we’ve got to find that middle ground however we can find it and I think the key to that harmony is communication.”

BigHorse maintained that his mediation policy will work.

“The mediation policy is the key, it is the answer and I also hope that the lawsuits are cut down to nothing but as you all know and we have attorneys who are sitting in this room right now, any one of you out here can file a lawsuit on me tomorrow for wearing this shirt I’m wearing tonight, and that’s just a fact of life folks,” BigHorse said. “To me the mediation process, putting it in place in conjunction with the Executive Branch and the Speaker of Congress and its members is of the utmost importance.”

Click below to view the video of the Osage News Debate for the runoff candidates:

http://www.osagetribe.com/electioncandidates/welcome_sub_page.aspx?subpage_id=9

Click below to hear the story by Susan Shannon from Indian Times on KGOU-KROU:

http://www.kgou.org/content/mp3/2010_06_26-27_i_times_mixdown.mp3

Osage News Political Debates moderator Jim Hill and Susan Singh announce the debate rules during the Osage News Political Debates on June 23. Both are volunteers from the League of Woman Voters of Greater Tulsa. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

Assistant Principal Chief candidates Scott BigHorse and Amanda Proctor listen to the debate rules given by moderator Jim Hill during the Osage News Political Debates on June 23. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

About 100 people attended the Osage News Political Debates on June 23 featuring the four candidates for Principal Chief and Assistant Principal Chief. Those candidates will face a runoff election on July 19. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

Assistant Principal Chief candidate Amanda Proctor answers the first of eight questions given during the Osage News Political Debates on June 23. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

Assistant Principal Chief candidate Scott BigHorse answers the first of eight questions given to him and fellow candidate Amanda Proctor during the Osage News Political Debates on June 23. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

Assistant Principal Chief candidate Scott BigHorse answers a question during the Osage News Political Debates on June 23 in Pawhuska. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

Audience members listen to the Assistant Principal Chief candidates answer questions during the Osage News Political Debates on June 23 in Pawhuska. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

Osage Nation Assistant Principal Chief candidates Scott BigHorse and Amanda Proctor shake hands after participating in the Osage News Political Debates on June 23 in Pawhuska. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

Candidates before the United Osages of Southern California meeting. Osage News file photo.

[Editor's Note: This article was modified on May 19 to allow the submission of candidates who did not originally receive the survey in February.]

Osage News

The Osage News asked all Candidates to participate in a 15-question survey and they were given 20 words to answer each question. Here are their answers:

Principal Chief Candidates

Jim Gray
• Age: I am 48 years old but will be 49 next month.
• Osage Name: My Osage name is Wah-Kah-The and I belong to the deer clan and serve on the Pawhuska Committee.
• Residence: I live in Skiatook, OK on the Osage Reservation
• Martial status: My wife is Libbi Gray (Wah-Zha-Zhe Me-Tsa-He). Libbi is a cook on the Pawhuska Committee and former Osage Princess.
• Number of children; are they enrolled Osages? We have a blended family of seven children and each one of them is an enrolled Osage citizen.
• Number of grandchildren; are they enrolled Osages? We don’t have any grandchildren yet.
• Education: I have a Bachelors degree from NSU in Tahlequah, OK
• Experience in tribal/ state/ municipal government: I’ve served eight years as Principal Chief, one term under the council system and one in our new government.
• General/ Professional experience: I was an entrepreneur for many years as part owner of the Native American Times and I owned my own marketing firm.
• Do you support per capita payments? We can do more with our money to serve more Osages in meaningful ways by avoiding per capita payments.
• Do you support the Nation’s reservation status suit? Absolutely! Reservation status allows us to generate larger revenues and allows us to more fully exercise our sovereignty.
• Does the Minerals Estate belong to the shareholders or the Osage Nation? The mineral estate is owned by the Osage Nation for the sole benefit of the shareholders.
• Do you support the Osage Language program? I support all of our Osage programs because they serve our people.
• If elected what is your main focus once taking the oath of office? To uphold the Constitution and serve our people through completion of the initiatives in our strategic plan.
• What’s your favorite movie? The Big Lebowski

Carl “Chico” Lee Sellers
• Age: 56
• Osage Name: My mother’s cousin, Pierce St. John named me Obee-kah-tsa-toah which means Little Buffalo Horn
• Residence: I grew up in Pawhuska, OK and still live here.
• Marital Status: Married to Denise Keahtigh Sellers
• Number of Children; are they enrolled Osages? We share 8 children with three enrolled as Osages, two with Cherokee and 3 enrolled with Kiowa.
• Number of grandchildren; are they enrolled Osage?
• Education: Graduated Pawhuska High School, A.A from Haskell Indian Nations University, B.A. from Central State in Edmond, OK.
• Experience in tribal/state/municipal government: City Parks/Recreation, Osage County Youth Shelter, Federal JOM, State Department of Corrections; served as Dept Head and past President.
• General/Professional experience: Know how to set policy and procedure and organizational structure to the position with excellent negotiation skills.
• Do you support per capita payments? If the money is there without touching the reserve, then yes I support per capita payments (need forensic audit).
• Do you support the Nation’s reservation status suit? At this time, No, since only the lawyers are getting rich.
• Does the Minerals Estate belong to the Shareholders or the Osage Nation? The Minerals Estate belongs to the Shareholders.
• Do you support the Osage Language program? Yes, and was on the board for the Friends of Osage Language and my brother is an Osage language instructor.
• If elected what is your main focus once taking the oath of office? Assisted Living for our Elders, Forensic Audit, Drop the lawsuit against the OFPR, Osage Nation Veteran’s Memorial, Enhanced Health Card
• What is your favorite movie? “Rudy”, because he came from humble beginnings, worked hard and never gave up.

John Red Eagle
• Age: 61 years of age
• Osage Name: Used in traditional ceremonies
• Residence: Pawhuska, OK
• Martial status: Single
• Number of children; are they enrolled Osages? None
• Number of grandchildren; are they enrolled Osages? None
• Education: Pawhuska High School, Oklahoma State University, Community College of Denver, Oklahoma University
• Experience in tribal/ state/ municipal government: 4 years as Asst. Principal Chief
• General/ Professional experience: 35 years experience Nuclear Technology, Radiology Technology and Hospital Administration.
• Do you support per capita payments? Not at this time due to our operating revenue is 25 million and that covers salaries, services and expenses.
• Do you support the Nation’s reservation status suit? Having lost the decision in the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals it is necessary to appeal this decision.
• Does the Minerals Estate belong to the shareholders or the Osage Nation? According to the 1906 Act sections 3&4 all minerals belong to the Osage Tribe with the only beneficiaries being the shareholders.
• Do you support the Osage Language program? Yes, due to the fact that the majority of Osages do not speak the language. Preservation is vital.
• If elected what is your main focus once taking the oath of office? Audit all programs, services and offices and set up an internal audit department.
• What’s your favorite movie? True Grit, Rooster Cogburn and Lonesome Dove

Roy St. John
• Age: 71
• Osage Name: none–I was not raised in an Osage Traditional family, I have studied Mathews, Burns and La-Flesche learning historical Osage Traditions.
• Residence: Osage County Oklahoma, south of Elgin Kansas
• Martial status: Married 50 years
• Number of children; are they enrolled Osages? Three Sons — Yes
• Number of grandchildren; are they enrolled Osage? Six, one Grandson and five Granddaughters — Yes
• Education: Undergraduate electrical engineering. During my career I attended seminars at MIT Sloan School of Management and other professional development programs.
• Experience in tribal/ state/ municipal government: For the last three years I have been a regular attendee at Osage Nation Congress and Mineral Council sessions.
• General/ Professional experience: I have worn many hats, always in performance evaluated positions. Products delivered to customers generally contained incentive bonuses.
• Do you support per capita payments? Yes, Every Osage citizen has different needs. Citizens, not the government must assume responsibility for these choices.
• Do you support the Nation’s reservation status suit? I don’t have a good grasp of the pros and cons of this suit. As Chief I would consult trusted council before making decisions on this matter.
• Does the Minerals Estate belong to the shareholders or the Osage Nation? Headright holders.
• Do you support the Osage Language program? Yes, I attend classes in Pawhuska. I have e-mailed a set of files “Beginning Osage” to people around the world.
• If elected what is your main focus once taking the oath of office? Assure Sound Financial Management practices are in place. Service to citizens, employee satisfaction, efficient government, transparency and accountability.
• What’s your favorite movie? Bambi

Tim Tall Chief, BS, M.Ed.
• Age: 62
• Osage Name: Tse-do-Ga-Mi-dse
• Residence: Jones and Grayhorse, Oklahoma. If elected we will make Osage Co. our primary residence.
• Marital status: Married to Dr. Vicki Tall Chief, Professor at The University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, College of Public Health
• Number of children; are they enrolled Osages? 2 Children, enrolled: Amy, Director, Entertainment for Million Dollar Elms, Russ, Director of Arts/ Exhibitions, American Indian Cultural Center /Museum
• Number of grandchildren; are they enrolled Osages? 1 Granddaughter: Wanbli - not enrolled yet.
• Education: Bachelor of Science Degree and Masters of Education Degree
• Experience in tribal/ state/ municipal government:
Deputy Commissioner & Tribal Liaison, State Department of Health;
Oklahoma State Director/ Indian Education; Board Chair, Oklahoma Indian
Affairs Commission
• General/ Professional experience: Executive level administration in State government. Teaching and administrative duties in Secondary and Higher Education Institutions.
• Do you support per capita payments? When the Nation has the infrastructure to provide all citizens quality services in Health, Education, Housing, Language/Culture and Economic Development.
• Do you support the Nation’s reservation status suit? There is a time for everything and now is not the time.
• Does the Minerals Estate belong to the shareholders or the Osage Nation? Shareholders. They should run the minerals estate as a business with a Board of Directors and Chair of the Board.
• Do you support the Osage Language program? Absolutely. The continuation and perpetuation of our language and culture are essential to our Nation.
• If elected what is your main focus once taking the oath of office?
Create an environment of pride, dignity and cooperation restoring the nation to a
position of leadership and respect.
• What’s your favorite movie? “Something’s Gotta Give” with Jack Nicholson.

Assistant Principal Chief Candidates

Scott N. BigHorse
• Age: 53
• Osage Name: Ki He Kah Dah
• Residence: 1615 Bigheart Av. Pawhuska 74056
• Marital status: Single
• Number of children; are they enrolled Osages? 2 …… Yes
• Number of grandchildren; are they enrolled Osages? 3….. Yes
• Education: 2 yrs College
• Experience in tribal/ state/ municipal government: State Representative, City Planning and Zoning Board
• General/ Professional experience: Adult Corrections, Juvenile Corrections, Abused, Deprived, Neglected Children, and Emergency Crisis Shelter for Children.
• Do you support per capita payments? Not at this time, would not rule it out.
• Do you support the Nation’s reservation status suit? Yes
• Does the Minerals Estate belong to the shareholders or the Osage Nation? The Minerals Estate is personal property belonging to the Shareholders held in Trust by the U. S. for the Osage Tribe of Indians.
• Do you support the Osage Language program? YES
• If elected what is your main focus once taking the oath of office? The next 2 years we have several serious issues that need to be taken care of, also Children, Senior Citizen’s and our Veterans issues.
• What’s your favorite movie? Blind Side

Jeff Irons
• Age: 54
• Osage Name: Tomi-Kho-She
• Residence: Oklahoma City Ok and Fairfax OK
• Marital Status: Married 28 years
• Number of children; are they enrolled Osages? 2 children, Yes both are enrolled
• Number of grandchildren; are they enrolled Osages? None
• Education: 2 years of college
• Experience in tribal/ state/ municipal government: 5 years with Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspectors office, 11 years with Oklahoma Department of Commerce. 7 years Police Officer
• General/ Professional experience: CLEET certified Police Officer, many years working for private companies. Numerous auditing training while with SA&I
• Do you support per capita payments? Not at this time we have more pressing issues.
• Do you support the Nation’s reservation status suit? I am not privileged to enough information to know
• Does the Minerals Estate belong to the shareholders or the Osage Nation? The minerals belong to the Heirs of the original allottees.
• Do you support the Osage Language program? Yes, and would like to see it expanded
• If elected what is your main focus once taking the oath of office? Improving Communication with the people and congress
• What’s your favorite movie? Any John Wayne western

Congressional Candidates

Daniel Boone
• Age: 37
• Osage Name: Pa-Pa-Kah
• Residence: Pawhuska, OK
• Martial status: Single
• Number of children; are they enrolled Osages? None/NA
• Number of grandchildren; are they enrolled Osages? None/NA
• Education: Tulsa Technology certificate
• Experience in tribal/ state/ municipal government: Former tribal employee/ Johnson O’Malley school rep
• General/ Professional experience: Farmer, bale hay, mow grass, landscape terraces
• Do you support per capita payments? Yes
• Do you support the Nation’s reservation status suit? If that suit doesn’t get resolved in our favor that will cost us dearly.
• Does the Minerals Estate belong to the shareholders or the Osage Nation? Shareholders
• Do you support the Osage Language program? Yes; I support all facets of our culture.
• If elected what is your main focus once taking the oath of office? Cultural perpetuation and accountability
• What’s your favorite movie? Caddyshack

David F. Conrad
• Age: 43
• Osage Name: Wa-kon-To-Ki-E
• Residence: Bartlesville, OK and Richland, WA
• Martial status: Married
• Number of children; are they enrolled Osages? Two Boys Enrolled Osage and put into In-Lon-Schka
• Number of grandchildren; are they enrolled Osages? Not yet
• Education: BA, Political Science, MS Environmental Policy and Administration
• Experience in tribal/ state/ municipal government: Grad Student Intern, Dept of Energy—HQ; Policy Analyst, Nez Perce Tribe; Program Director, CERT; Tribal and State Legislative Liaison, City of Seattle; Executive Director, NTEC; Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Osage Nation.
• General/ Professional experience: Energy, Environmental, Economic Development, Natural Resources, and Cultural Resources Policy
• Do you support per capita payments? No.
• Do you support the Nation’s reservation status suit? Absolutely.
• Does the Minerals Estate belong to the shareholders or the Osage Nation? As a shareholder, the Osage Nation.
• Do you support the Osage Language program? Yes, I wish I could do more.
• If elected what is your main focus once taking the oath of office? Strengthening our legal foundation/institutions, districting, and opening up the legislative process through the use of technology.
• What’s your favorite movie? Blade Runner

James Elsberry
• Age: 63
• Osage Name: Pun-kah-wah-ti-an-kah
• Residence: Pawhuska, OK
• Martial status: Married
• Number of children; are they enrolled Osages? (2) Daughters, Yes
• Number of grandchildren; are they enrolled Osages? (4) Grandsons, Yes
• Education: University of Oklahoma, History – Commissioned ROTC 2nd Lieutenant 1969. Airborne Ranger, Tank Platoon Leader, Cavalry Scout Platoon Leader, Company Commander.
• Experience in tribal/ state/ municipal government: 9 Years – Tribal, Videotaped numerous historical/political/cultural events. TAPED ALMOST EVERY session of The Osage Congress (-1 Day)!!! Best Attendance of everyone.
• General/ Professional experience: 34 Years, Southern California. Purchasing Mgr, Salesman, Sales Mgr, Steel, Aluminum Castings, Electronic components, PC Board Assembly/Test, Laser/inkjet expendables.
• Do you support per capita payments? Not as Usual.
• Do you support the Nation’s reservation status suit? Yes, Very Much. A very important item to address/support. Certainly may affect our Gaming Revenues.
• Does the Minerals Estate belong to the shareholders or the Osage Nation? N/A
• Do you support the Osage Language program? Yes, Very Much. Communicate (means “listen to”) with Program Employees, Students and other relevant views, certainly includes Osage Nation Citizens.
• If elected what is your main focus once taking the oath of office? Economic opportunity for Nation and Members. Obtain income sources for Nation and Tribal Members, to supplement Gaming Revenues. “Communicate” Osage LLC.
• What’s your favorite movie? The Blind Side, Illustrates what a human can accomplish/achieve with personal efforts. Inspiring

John Free Jr.
• Age: 54
• Osage Name: N/A
• Residence: Pawhuska
• Marital status: Married
• Number of children; are they enrolled Osages? 5, yes
• Number of grandchildren; are they enrolled Osages? 3, yes
• Education: OSU Graduate
• Experience in tribal/ state/ municipal government: N/A
• General/ Professional experience: Artist, Builder, Developer, Business Owner
• Do you support per capita payments? Not at this time, we should share our returns through participation in various programs.
• Do you support the Nation’s reservation status suit? In light of our present situation I think we need to pursue our status as a reservation.
• Does the Minerals Estate belong to the shareholders or the Osage Nation? Shareholders
• Do you support the Osage Language program? Yes
• If elected what is your main focus once taking the oath of office? To protect the operations of our casinos and promote an open and honest government.
• What’s your favorite movie? She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

Jake Heflin
• Age: 36
• Osage Name: My Osage name is Tah-Wah Gka-Keh (Town Maker)
• Residence: Long Beach, California
• Martial status: Married. My wife’s name is Janelle. She is an Emergency Room/Trauma Nurse at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.
• Number of children; are they enrolled Osages? We are planning on having children in the future.
• Number of grandchildren; are they enrolled Osages? No grandchildren
• Education: California State University Long Beach, Saddleback College, Santa Ana College. A teaching credential with a significant background in occupational studies.
• Experience in tribal/ state/ municipal government: Served on various committees at the local, state, and federal level providing leadership and insight with regard to emergency services.
• General/ Professional experience: Served in Fire/EMS for the last 19 years. I’m a source expert in emergency services with supervisory and instructor experience.
• Do you support per capita payments? I support benefits focused on education, health and housing. Funding sources and ongoing citizen input are important for expanding services.
• Do you support the Nation’s reservation status suit? Osage Nation purchased its Reservation which entered into federal trust relationship. Allotment did not destroy the existence of the Reservation.
• Does the Minerals Estate belong to the shareholders or the Osage Nation?
• Mineral rights are part of Osage territoriality, Congressionally designated and administered in federal trust to lineal descendants of original allottees.
• Do you support the Osage Language program? Language is the core of cultural identity. I support developing and expanding language education to all Osages, promoting cultural continuity.
• If elected what is your main focus once taking the oath of office? Expand services to Osages in a sustainable, responsible, ethical, and transparent manner. Develop solutions that are effective and enduring.
• What’s your favorite movie? I would have to go for the obvious choice, Backdraft.

John Jech
• Age: 39
• Osage Name: N/A
• Residence: Pawhuska Oklahoma
• Martial status: In relationship
• Number of children; are they enrolled Osages? One daughter, enrolled
• Number of grandchildren; are they enrolled Osages? N/A
• Education: Bachelors Degree in Business Administration
• Experience in tribal/ state/ municipal government: 15 years with Osage Nation
• General/ Professional experience: 15 years accounting and management experience with the Osage Nation.
• Do you support per capita payments? Not currently but I hope we have the financial stability to do so in the next ten to twenty years.
• Do you support the Nation’s reservation status suit? Yes
• Does the Minerals Estate belong to the shareholders or the Osage Nation? The Shareholders and I will work to protect it.
• Do you support the Osage Language program? Yes I believe it is essential as a Nation to preserve our language.
• If elected what is your main focus once taking the oath of office? Work to expand/diversify our proprietary opportunities, expand health and education services and protect the minerals estate.
• What’s your favorite movie? Braveheart

Margo Gray-Proctor
• Age: 52
• Osage Name: Pa-Hua-Tse
• Residence: Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Martial status: Married
• Number of children; are they enrolled Osages? 2/yes
• Number of grandchildren; are they enrolled Osages? 7 yes
• Education: NSU/Dartmouth
• Experience in tribal/ state/ municipal government: yes
• General/ Professional experience: Business Owner
• Do you support per capita payments? No
• Do you support the Nation’s reservation status suit? Yes
• Does the Minerals Estate belong to the shareholders or the Osage Nation? Yes
• Do you support the Osage Language program? YES
• If elected what is your main focus once taking the oath of office? Economic diversification
• What’s your favorite movie? Erin Brockovich

Joseph Shunkamolah
• Age: 60
• Osage Name: Tha-wah-gah-keh (don’t know Osage alphabet)
• Residence: Lawton, Oklahoma
• Marital status: Married
• Number of children; are they enrolled Osages? 5 sons, yes.
• Number of grandchildren; are they enrolled Osages? 1 grandson, no.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree; Master’s in History; Master’s in School Administration.
• Experience in tribal/ state/ municipal government: Education liaison to state of NM for Pueblo of Laguna, NM. Elected to school board of Grants (NM) board of education.
• General/ Professional experience: Classroom teacher H.S., Jr. Hi., College; School Principal in high schools and elementary schools.
• Do you support per capita payments? yes
• Do you support the Nation’s reservation status suit? Yes in principle, but realistically believe it to be a quixotic venture.
• Does the Minerals Estate belong to the shareholders or the Osage Nation? Shareholders as prescribed as prescribed by elders and 1906 congressional act.
• Do you support the Osage Language program? Yes, but with some refinement.
• If elected what is your main focus once taking the oath of office? There is more than one main focus, all aspects of the present form of government needs attention.
• What’s your favorite movie? The Big Lebowski (modern) Casablanca (classic)

Geoffrey M. StandingBear
• Age: 56
• Osage Name: Shinga Kihekah (The Child Chief)
• Residence: 29387 U.S. Highway 60, Pawhuska, OK
• Martial status: Married 32 years to Julie (Brave) StandingBear
• Number of children; are they enrolled Osages? Four. Yes
• Number of grandchildren; are they enrolled Osages? Seven. I do not know if all of them are.
• Education: B.A. 1976 University of Oklahoma. Juris Doctor 1980 University of Tulsa.
• Experience in tribal/ state/ municipal government: Three decades as an attorney for many tribes, including Sac & Fox, Muscogee (Creek), Navajo. Osage Assistant Chief 1990-94.General/ Professional experience: Attorney 30 years. Listed Best Lawyer’s in America. Past President of Osage County Bar Association. Committeeman, Pawhuska Iloshka 35 years.
• Do you support per capita payments? Under right conditions after financial health of the Osage Nation is restored and there is a federally approved plan.
• Do you support the Nation’s reservation status suit? No. The tribes did the same argument in the 1980’s. Also, the U.S. Senate would take harmful action.
• Does the Minerals Estate belong to the shareholders or the Osage Nation? It belongs to the Osage people (the Tribe) as defined in the 1906 Act which were all headright owners.
• Do you support the Osage Language program? Yes. It needs to be expanded into the local school system and have internet classes.
• If elected what is your main focus once taking the oath of office? Amendments to Osage Constitution. Strong anti-corruption laws. Protecting the Mineral Estate. Education. Culture. Language. Child Care. Increase land base.
• What’s your favorite movie? Dances With Wolves.

Anthony Webb
• Age: 51
• Osage Name: Tse-Doga-Tonga, Buffalo Big Bull
• Residence: Fairfax, OK
• Marital status: Married.
• Number of children; are they enrolled Osages? 4
• Number of grandchildren; are they enrolled Osages? 1
• Education: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology
• Experience in tribal/ state/ municipal government: Limited to the receiving end.
• General/ Professional experience: Design Engineer in manufacturing industry and currently employed in gas processing plant operations.
• Do you support per capita payments? Not when it pulls funds from programs that are serving the people.
• Do you support the Nation’s reservation status suit? Yes. While there is still a chance for a positive outcome we must move forward.
• Does the Minerals Estate belong to the shareholders or the Osage Nation? Shareholders.
• Do you support the Osage Language program? Enthusiastically.
• If elected what is your main focus once taking the oath of office? Senior citizen housing, strengthen and diversifying our economy and improving channels of communication will be top priorities.
• What’s your favorite movie? Avatar.

Vance Wyrick
• Age: 61
• Osage Name: I do not have an Osage name.
• Residence: Leesburg, Florida
• Martial status: Married
• Number of children; are they enrolled Osages? 2 Yes they are enrolled
• Number of grandchildren; are they enrolled Osages? 1 Yes she is enrolled
• Education: Will Rogers High School, Oklahoma Military Academy, AS Business, three years at OSU, Major: Business, Tulsa Technical Collage, Electronics Certificate
• Experience in tribal/ state/ municipal government: No but I will make use of all my leadership and business experience.
• General/ Professional experience: 20+ years at Century Geophysical Corporation: Retiring as Manufacturing & Support Supervisor. I own S&V Investments a land development company.
• Do you support per capita payments? Yes, but only after all the health, cultural heritage, education, and economic development projects are fully funded.
• Do you support the Nation’s reservation status suit? Yes, we cannot have the current decision stand as is. We must have the suit overturned in our favor.
• Does the Minerals Estate belong to the shareholders or the Osage Nation? The mineral estate belongs to the shareholders as it always has and as it should remain.
• Do you support the Osage Language program? Yes, it must be fully funded.
• If elected what is your main focus once taking the oath of office? I would support efforts to bring better working partnership between all branches of government also focus on elderly health care.
• What’s your favorite movie? Period of Adjustment a 1962 movie from a play by Tennessee Williams.

Osage Minerals Council Candidates

Joseph B. “Sonny” Abbott
• Age: 70
• Osage Name: –
• Residence: HC 66 Box 70
• Martial status: Married
• Number of children; are they enrolled Osages? 1, No
• Number of grandchildren; are they enrolled Osages? 2, No
• Education: 2 years college
• Experience in tribal/ state/ municipal government: None
• General/ Professional experience: None
• Do you support per capita payments? Yes
• Do you support the Nation’s reservation status suit? –
• Does the Minerals Estate belong to the shareholders or the Osage Nation? Shareholders only
• Do you support the Osage Language program? Yes, very much so.
• If elected what is your main focus once taking the oath of office? Honesty to the shareholders
• What’s your favorite movie? Dances with Wolves

Rauk Friend
• Age: 59
• Osage Name: Tsi-Zho Ki-He-Kah
• Residence: Oklahoma City
• Marital status: Married
• Number of children; are they enrolled Osages? 3, yes
• Number of grandchildren; are they enrolled Osages? 3, yes
• Education: BA, Oklahoma Baptist University
• Experience in tribal/ state/ municipal government: None. I am not a politician.
• General/ Professional experience: Vietnam veteran, Board of Directors Osage County Historical Museum. Employee Oklahoma Gas & Electric for 28 years.
• Do you support per capita payments? Not at this time.
• Do you support the Nation’s reservation status suit? It should never have been started, but now that it is we have no choice but to continue.
• Does the Minerals Estate belong to the shareholders or the Osage Nation? Osage Shareholders
• Do you support the Osage Language program? Yes & attended classes in Edmond for 3 years.
• If elected what is your main focus once taking the oath of office? Protect and preserve the Minerals Trust. Facilitate increased production and accurate measurements.
• What’s your favorite movie? Lord of the Rings

James M. Revard
• Age: 52
• Osage Name: Tah-wah-hee
• Residence: Tulsa
• Martial status: Single
• Number of children; are they enrolled Osages? (4) four and (3) three or Osage
• Number of grandchildren; are they enrolled Osages? (3) Three none of which are Osage.
• Education: Bishop Kelley High School and some College
• Experience in tribal/ state/ municipal government: (2) two years as the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Marginal Well Commission, (4) Four years working at the MDE casinos.
• General/ Professional experience: (30) thirty years experience in the Oil Industry in the field, family owned Oil Company and as a Product Manager for equipment manufactures.
• Do you support per capita payments? Yes, from all income other then income from the Mineral Estate.
• Do you support the Nation’s reservation status suit? No not in order to allow a small amount of Osages to avoid paying State taxes, I believe you have to pick your battles and spend the Nation’s money wisely. As citizens of Oklahoma and the USA we ALL benefit from the security, roads, education etc that the USA and Oklahoma provide to their citizens.
• Does the Minerals Estate belong to the shareholders or the Osage Nation? The Shareholders per the 1906 Act. The Shareholders and their descendants were the Nation.
• Do you support the Osage Language program? Yes.
• If elected what is your main focus once taking the oath of office? To protect the Mineral Estate and the rights of the Shareholders while attempting to find ways to increase oil & gas production in the Osage.
• What’s your favorite movie? Dances with Wolf’s.

Gregory Woodell
• Age: 64
• Osage Name:
• Residence: 8400 Delongpre Ave. #207
West Hollywood, CA 90069
• Martial status: Divorced
• Number of children; are they enrolled Osages? William Bruce, 39 & Jennifer Anne, 38. Yes, they are enrolled
• Number of grandchildren; are they enrolled Osages? 11 grandchildren and we are working on getting them enrolled
• Education: Bachelors Degree in Sociology
• Experience in tribal/ state/ municipal government: Have worked at all levels of government for over 40 years
• General/ Professional experience: Last thirty years have been in construction, starting with Hospitals and moving to other public facilities as my career grew. Numerous awards
• Do you support per capita payments? No
• Do you support the Nation’s reservation status suit? Yes
• Does the Minerals Estate belong to the shareholders or the Osage Nation? To the Shareholders
• Do you support the Osage Language program? With all my heart
• If elected what is your main focus once taking the oath of office? Protect the Minerals Estate for Shareholders and work with BIA and Federal agencies for better relationships Osage Nation.
• What’s your favorite movie? Fried Green Tomatoes and Steel Magnolias.

From L to R: Congressional Candidates Raymond Red Corn, John Jech, Margo Gray-Proctor, Jake Heflin, Louis Gray and John Maker pose for a group photo after they debated during the Osage News Political Debates on May 9. This was the second of three groups of candidates who participated that day. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

By Benny Polacca
Osage News

Six of 18 candidates for the Osage Nation Congress responded to questions during the May 9 Osage News Political Debates which touched on salaries and benefits for elected officials, which programs and services would be cut if the Nation’s budget needed reductions due to declining revenue, and what would the candidates introduce as their first legislative bill, if elected.

The 18 candidates were separated into three groups of six and each group was given three different questions to answer. All candidates were allowed three minutes to answer each question and one minute to rebut or elaborate on their responses after all candidates initially responded to each question at the debates.

The second group of six (listed in alphabetical order) included Louis Gray, Margo Proctor-Gray, Jake Heflin, John Jech and John Maker. Congressman Raymond Red Corn, who is seeking a second term, was also in this group.

Salaries and benefits

The six candidates were asked: What is your opinion for how salaries and benefits should be addressed for elected officials?

“They’re pretty well in place,” John Maker said of salaries and benefits. “I think what we’re doing now, our tribe’s doing a pretty good job… I think as long as we, as elected officials, realize that we are servants of the people and not masters of the people, we’re doing a good job.”

Margo Gray-Proctor said she believes elected officials’ pay should be based on the Nation’s approved revenues through gaming dollars because if “the revenues decrease, so should the base pay.” She also referred to a legislative bill considered during the 28th Congressional Special Session calling for a merit-based employment system for the Nation and said “if we are asking our own people, who are absolute jewels of the Nation, if we’re going to get an increase or decrease, it should be the same for elected officials.”

Louis Gray said the annual compensation at $65,000, per congressperson, is “very generous income for those who want to serve the Nation and I think it should stay that way so long as our revenue stays current, but we should reserve the right to reduce it, should our revenues drop.”

Raymond Red Corn said the Nation’s Constitution “limits the movement of salaries either up or down and the way that’s currently being applied is salaries cannot change once every two years and those changes cannot take effect until another election has occurred.” He said “$56,000 a year plus a $9,000 stipend is a very healthy numeration for elected officials… and over the last four years, being an Osage Nation congressperson, I have yet to have an Osage citizen approach me and say ‘you guys are underpaid.’”

Jake Heflin said “I think studies were done initially when the salaries were set and I think that was done appropriately” and said he would support research on any possible changes to the congresspersons’ travel compensation. He also believes congresspersons’ salaries should be considered for changes if the Nation’s revenue drops and its employees face salary reductions as a result.

“I think that is a core essence of leadership,” Heflin said. “Are you willing to step up and go through and bear the same struggles and hurts that your employees are bearing? And as a leader, I think that’s imperative that we move forward as a Congress in that capacity.”

John Jech, currently the Nation’s treasurer, also agrees in believing the Congress persons’ salaries and benefits are “adequate. The revenue the Nation generates is substantial but I don’t feel our elected officials should be compensated any more than they already are.”

“We should not base the compensation for our employees on what our Congressional or elected officials have been paid,” Jech also said in his response. “If we want to get qualified people in some of these director positions or manager positions, we‘re going to have to pay them good salaries. We have a lot of people who don‘t accept jobs with our Nation because the pay is competitive with other industries.”

What if the Nation’s projected revenue drops by half?

The group’s second question asked the candidates what they would do if the Nation faced a worse-case financial scenario while in office: In last year’s budget appropriation process, Congress held the Executive Branch spending below $26 million due to Article VI, section 23 of the Osage Constitution; ‘the annual budget shall not exceed projected revenues’. If projected revenues decline by half or to $13 million, what programs and services would you cut first?

Red Corn opened his response with “this question is built upon a premise and this premise is in debate in Congress, was constantly during the fall session all through that very long budget process - it has to do with the definition of ‘projected revenue’” Red Corn is referring to the drawn-out 2010 government operations budget battle between Congress and the Executive Branch, which included arguments over the projected revenue figure and resulted in the budget getting settled three months into the 2010 fiscal year.

“If revenue from the casinos is cut to $13 million, then we’re going to slash every program, benefits to Osages, all of these things that money buys while we have $50 to $60 million in cash sitting in the bank - that’s the debate right there,” Red Corn said. “I’m not trying to avoid the question, but it’s important for us to understand the definition of ‘projected revenues.’ Is it strictly what the gaming enterprise is going to distribute to us every year? or is it how much they’re going to distribute to us plus how much we haven’t spent in previous years for various investments - that’s the question.”

“If you were to ask me ‘if we had a significant decline and we had no revenue to back it up’, I would say pretty much across the board, probably health and education being the most important things to keep fully funded for as long as we possibly could,” Red Corn said in closing.

“I think everyone is concerned about this issue, especially with the discussion happening with the three casinos and with that perspective,” Heflin said in his response. “I think it’s important, like what Congressman Red Corn states, that we have money in the bank and it’s not to say that if our revenues drop that immediately the programs are going to suffer.”

“Should that occur, should we have no money, should we have to make those hard decisions, I think we have to do the due diligence to make sure we’re looking back historically on programs we had before the gaming revenue, evaluate those programs we had in place and then make adjustments accordingly,” Heflin said. “In addition to that, I think we also need to focus on what’s important and what we’ve always been taught is important and that’s our health, that’s our elder care, that’s our services to our children.”

Jech agreed with Red Corn that a clarified definition of “projected revenue” is needed then he mentioned the Nation has worked on investment strategies, but need Congressional approval to be implemented. “There were some requirements of the Treasury Department to develop an investment policy for the Nation and that has been done but that has not been approved by Congress at this time. That investment policy – if it were in place – it could generate a substantial amount of revenue for the Nation through investments. If we invested our $45 million that we have, we probably could generate close to $7 million just in revenue from investments over a year.”

If the Nation’s revenue declines, “we would have to cut programs,” Jech said. In his one-minute rebuttal later, Jech said “we would need to evaluate our programs a little better and see where we can make cuts to the programs.”

Gray said “the programs and the services that are most vulnerable come straight out of the treasury (such as education, language and the health benefit card program, for example)… One of the things I would suggest before we start slashing everything to the bone and start firing people is first ask the people would they be willing to take a cut in pay to keep their jobs?”

Gray-Proctor is president of Tulsa-based Horizon Engineering Services Co., which consults and partners with several tribes nationwide on a variety of civil engineering projects and said her business was impacted by the recent downed economy. “Having gone through a recession as a businesswoman, ‘projected’ is exactly what it says: it’s a theory of projected revenue. A year ago, I had projected revenues for my own company and as my tribal clients decreased or put a hold on some of their projects, I had to reevaluate, so this is exactly what you do when you‘re in business or when you‘re making strong business decisions: you regroup and you look at the process of how to streamline.”

“You get all of the people who are involved on the buy-in because you have to figure out, if you’re going to have to cut services or if you’re going to have to streamline, where do you make the cuts?” Gray-Proctor said adding she supports passage of investment strategies for the Nation. “If we have money put away and we invest our money soundly, we won’t have to worry about this because we will have taken care of our No. 1 goal here and it’s our Osage people.”

Maker also believes the Nation would need to make “across the board cuts on all programs” if the revenue significantly dropped. “The main thing we do right now is to prepare for that day with investments with the (Osage Limited Liability Company), they‘re working on that right now.”

What will be the first legislative bill you will introduce, if elected?

The group’s third and final question asked the candidates: What is the first piece of legislation you plan to introduce if elected?

Heflin, who is a firefighter/ EMT in Long Beach, Calif., said he would introduce “a good Samaritan act because I believe as a whole, people want to help other people… If I do something in an effort to help people, I’m going to be protected by it… and I think a good Samaritan act is one of those processes we need in place.”

He added he would also use his professional experience to look at building and fire codes for the Nation because “we don’t have a lot of codes in place regarding our buildings and infrastructure… because I think if we create buildings that are safe, we don’t put people in jeopardy.” Heflin added he’s interested in expanding and upgrading senior and assisted living facilities in Hominy, Fairfax and Pawhuska because “I think that’s going to be incumbent upon Congress to appropriate the dollars to make that happen.”

Red Corn said he would bring another “resolution that would put before the people a decision to lower the petition/ signature threshold that allow you Osage citizens to help put forward your ideas, your wishes, your ideas of law, your ideas for constitutional reform in amendment, your ideas for recall of elected officials your ideas for laws themselves or the referendum for the ability to choose whether or not you’re going to allow a law to go forward.

All of these things are essential foundations to the Osage Constitution, the constitution says ‘all power comes from the people,’” Red Corn said. Three similar resolutions have been brought before Congress and all were voted down by majority, he said adding “I believe that’s the most important piece of legislation I can put forward for the benefit of the Osage people.”

Gray said he would introduce legislation “that ensures that on Oct. 1 the federal programs are up and running,” to avoid the consequences that occurred when the Congress and Executive Branch failed to immediately agree on the Nation’s 2010 fiscal year budget last fall. During the budget debacle, Congress passed emergency appropriation legislation that allowed all government operations to continue running, but limited all spending to a fraction of 2009 levels which impacted several departments and put federal grant monies awarded to the Nation at risk.

“I don’t want to ever again go through another period where the employees, the services are held in jeopardy and used as political tools to further any sort of political gains,” Gray said. “If we want to debate tribal funds (used to fund the departments), that’s another question, but those federal programs have got to be up and running. You can go down the laundry list of all the things that went wrong, all the programs that were in jeopardy, all the people that didn’t get hired, all the services that weren’t provided, all the people who went unfed - that should never happen again.”

Jech said he would introduce a bill concerning the liability and costs for the Nation’s programs. “Currently the federal program funding we receive, they have cost principles that apply to the federal spending so our auditors, when they come in and do an audit, they know if we are spending our funds in accordance with the federal law. There’s currently none in place on the tribal side that says how or what is allowable with our tribal funds other than how it’s approved in the budget.”

“So if a tribal budget’s approved for food costs and we want to go out and buy steaks for people, there’s no tribal law that really says ‘you can’t do that, that’s not allowable,’” Jech said.

Maker, who teaches in the Nation’s Language Department, said he would also introduce legislation which would ensure the budgets are passed in time for each new fiscal year to avoid a repeat of the budget standoff. “All of our people suffered through that, our employees, our students in (college) – some of them had to withdraw from school because their scholarship money wasn’t there.”

“You always need to have some guidelines and deadlines that will instruct Congress and executive and the whole government that this can never happen again,” Maker said.

Gray-Proctor said she would introduce an “Osage first” bill which gives priority to Osage citizens when it comes to hiring for tribal jobs and Osage-owned businesses when it comes to bidding for projects and business matters. “We have to create our own communities that will be sustainable, we’ve got to create that opportunity so someone will have the opportunity to come home.”

Gray-Proctor, who is chairwoman of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, a nonprofit that helps Native enterprises and tribes with business and economic development, said she has met leaders from other tribes through her NCAIED work which have similar laws in place so their tribal members come first and believes Osages will benefit from a similar law.

To view the May 8 and 9 political debates visit:
http://www.osagetribe.com/electioncandidates/welcome_sub_page.aspx?subpage_id=8

The candidates for Osage Nation Congress take their spots and listen to the moderator during the Osage News Political Debates on May 9. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

Congressional Candidate Jake Heflin draws a number which determined the order in which candidates answered questions at the Osage News Political Debates on May 9. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

Congressional Candidate Margo Gray-Proctor answers a question during the Osage News Political Debates while fellow candidates Louis Gray, Jake Heflin and John Jech listen on May 9. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

Congressman Mark Freeman listens to the second group of candidates during the Osage News Political Debates on May 9. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

Congressional Candidate Raymond Red Corn, who is seeking his second term, answers a question during the Osage News Political Debate on May 9 while fellow candidate John Maker listens. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

Congressional Candidate John Jech answers a question while fellow candidates Jake Heflin and John Maker listen during the Osage News Political Debates on May 9. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

Raymond Red Corn. Courtesy Photo/Raymond Red Corn

By Raymond Red Corn, Osage Nation Congressman

The missing ingredient

There is no shortage of theories on the subject of what the Osage Nation really needs. Some say a Merit Based employment system. Some say a new Chief, or a new Congress. We have monetary resources, and large numbers of candidates running for office. What is needed most has been missing for most of our term.

What we need is trust. Moreover, we need some sense of fair play to sustain that trust. Without it, we are destined to tread water for the foreseeable future.

Here’s an example. The Congress (defined collectively) mistrusts the Executive’s judgment, and therefore refuses to fund “division leaders” to oversee groups of program directors. Some programs under-perform, sometimes through no fault of their own, but due at least in part to an absence of leadership and direction. Congress is asked for more resources and personnel, and Congress responds by pointing to the program problems as evidence that no more funds should be allocated until performance improves. The cycle repeats. While the Congress and the Executive debate, Osage citizens served by an underperforming program are negatively affected.

Who, then, is responsible for this lack of trust? That question will be answered by voters on June 7th. The more important question is “how do we, as a government, restore trust between branches, and between this government and the citizens we serve?”

First, we need to stop initiating debate by pointing out why we think the other side is wrong. The differences are obvious enough. A better start is finding out what we agree upon. This means from time to time we “catch someone doing something right”, and acknowledge up front where common ground exists. If our public comments are balanced, as opposed to perpetually adversarial, a sense of fairness settles into place. If each side trusts they will be treated fairly in the public arena, each side will be more likely to engage in civil, productive discourse.

The other necessary ingredient in building trust is transparency. If Congress cannot know the extent of a problem, how can we form an effective legislative solution? If there isn’t a frank and honest appraisal of what’s wrong, how can it be made right? In my opinion, the point at which one party admits to problems is critical; how does the other party react? Do they amplify and broadcast the negative for political gain, or give credit for an admission of shortcomings and a willingness to correct them? This scenario, which is repeated over and over during our terms, is where trust is either built up or shattered. This is also where the acts of individuals can undo the work of many, undermining the potential for constructive engagement.

The ability to resolve differences is an acquired skill, a skill that improves with practice. But the willingness to start resolving differences is always preceded by an investment of trust. Going forward, will Osage leadership develop and display enough trust to earn the label “new and improved?”

We are about to find out.

Louis Gray, Candidate for Osage Nation Congress

On May 12, come and meet your local candidate for Osage Nation Congress Louis Gray at the 3700 Mall, 3707 Frank Phillips in Bartlesville, Oklahoma from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

There he will have discussions of Osage current events and will take questions from everyone.

During the event there will be a silent auction, 50/50, and raffles.

On May 13, there will be a Silent Auction at the Horizon Engineering, 1414-A East 71st Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

From 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. you will have the opportunity to bid on original paintings, prints, silver artisan jewelry, and award winning Osage ribbon work. Finger foods and refreshments will be provided.

This event will be hosted by George Tiger and sponsored by friends and family of Louis Gray.

On May 14, please come and join Gina Gray has she host tea and coffee at 383 Wakon Iron in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.

There you will be able to meet Louis Gray from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Come support Louis Gray for Osage Nation Congress.

Danette Daniels, Candidate for Osage Nation Congress

It is the duty of congress to essentially write good laws. We need to have civil laws or a civil code established which protects our people and assets. If you live in Indian Camp in Pawhuska, Oklahoma and a dog bites you, there is no recourse. We had a non-native person working at the Osage Nation who embezzled thousands of dollars from our Nation and was eventually criminally prosecuted by the federal authorities, but because we have no civil laws, we as the Osage Nation could not also prosecute this individual.

Our current laws must be codified. Right now, Osage citizens have no way to find the laws which govern them. The current Congress appropriated $2.00 to buy a notebook as a weak attempt to codify the laws which was completely insufficient. The laws from the old tribal council must be brought up to date. We must have good laws to protect our Osage citizenry and the laws must be organized and available to Osages.

You can find out more by visiting my website at: www.congresswomandaniels.com, via email at grayhorse@windstream.net or contacting me directly at 405-206-0430. Facebook: Danette Daniels Osage Congress Woman 2010. Let’s move this great Nation Forward.

Louis Gray, Candidate for Osage Nation Congress

By Louis Gray, Candidate for Osage Nation Congress

Osage leadership needs courage and experience

Osage leaders for the coming years have to make up a lot of ground in a short amount of time. Legislation to assist our people has been sorely missing. But, all that can change on June 7th, 2010 on Election Day.

First things first, vote to implement the federal budgets on October 1, no more using vulnerable people, and endangering grants as political pawns.

Make the ethics laws apply to Congress as well. This is not an aristocracy with a superior people running the government. We are all the same.

Repeal or amend the open records act to protect the rights of individual Osages who now have their lives exposed by anyone congress says should have access to them including Congress. Privacy measures should have been enacted in concert with these laws to protect individual Osages.

Support fighting all outside interest which want to take away our reservation status and stop the unproductive infighting. The lies spread throughout the nation is unseemly and harmful to tribal unity. It’s time to bring our people together.

I urge you to vote for a progressive slate of thoughtful, creative, courageous and traditional leaders on the next congress. I want to be a part of that leadership team.

I don’t seek to run just to sit in those big leather chairs. Spend too long in the chair and you will never understand what needs to be done for our people.

As a former Task Force Member of the Osage Strategic Planning initiative, which developed a blue print for creative and innovative goals, called the Will of the People. I’m proud to be a part of that process. One out of four adult members of the Osage participated in this plan for our future. I pledge we will implement that plan. Not just because its full of great ideas. Because my name is on it and we promised to carry it out.

We must learn to work together and put aside past challenges so that we can bring the promise to life. It is a good plan and the Osage people deserve the best we can give them.

If the casinos start to grow in expanded in rebuilt sites there will be much more to work with. Other developments are now possible. But, first this nation has to have the courage to elect new leaders who work hard for the people. We don’t work for them; they work for us.

I understand as a congressman, I am not the old council member who held so much power in one person. The old council was the legislative, judicial and executive power all in one person. We know now that didn’t work. We have to share power now. Or at least we are suppose to. The current congress is under the mistaken impression they are still that old council. It has created a lot of problems for Osages everywhere. Time for a real change.

Vote for a progressive slate on June 7th and see that change you seek.

John Maker, Candidate for Osage Nation Congress

My name is John Maker ¾ Osage and my Osage name is Do-Ho-Ho (Blue Fish). I am from Hominy, OK, known in the Osage Language as the Zon-Zo-Li District (Those who dwell in the woodlands). I am of the Deer Clan.

My parents are Virginia Harding Maker and the late Lloyd G. Maker. My paternal grandparents were the late Ross Maker, original allottee #816 and the late Marie Maker, original allottee #454. My great grandfather was Charles Me-she-tsa-he, allottee #452 and my great grandmother was Wah-ko-sah-moie, allottee #453. My paternal great grandparents were Ta-ha-Ga-He (Deer Horn Maker), original allottee #809, and my great grandmother Wah-hu-sah-e, allottee #810. My maternal grandparents were Marguerite Penn Harding, full blood Osage, and Arlan Harding. My great grandparents were Albert Penn, allottee #821, and Dora McCarthy Penn, allottee #822.

Let me begin my message by saying thank you to everyone who plans to vote for me as your next Osage Nation Congressman. My promise to you is that I will help all citizens of the Osage Nation in every way possible to the very best of my ability.

Our young government faces many critical issues. To win the battles and to move forward, we must stand as a strong, united Nation with all branches of government working together. Continual disagreements among the leadership of our great Nation does not allow us to move forward in order to help our Osage People ? which is the most important issue for me.

Historically, our brave and foresighted Osage ancestors lead the way with strong leadership and smart business decisions. Today, we as a Nation, face new challenges. To me it is as if we are facing a two-front battle. We must deal with problems right here on the Reservation, such as unemployment, health care, education, poverty, drug abuse, and crime. On the other hand, we must deal with the State and protect our Sovereignty, Osage enterprises, and our Reservation status. Furthermore, I believe one of our biggest battles will be protecting our minerals estate. To solve these challenges, we must fix our divided Nation so that all branches of the government can work together for our good.

If elected, I welcome your voice. I want to hear from you. I will help to create the legislation that will help you. Let’s ensure an outstanding educational and scholarship program for our young People to prepare them to be tomorrow’s leader and to ease their uphill climbs; our ancestors and elders proved they were up to the challenge, and so will our youth. Let’s increase our medical benefits. Let’s protect our Osage culture, traditions, and Language. Let’s ensure the preservation of the minerals estate and protect the Minerals Council as an independent agency. Let‘s grow and diversify in all areas of commerce so that our People can have jobs and feed their families. Finally, let’s respect and listen to the words of our elders.

You may contact me at jfmaker@yahoo.com and please, check out my Facebook fan page.

-By John F. Maker

John Williams, Candidate for Osage Nation Congress

By John Williams

My name is John W. Williams and I am happy to announce my candidacy for Congress of the Osage Nation.

I am married to the former Frances A. West. We have three grown children and seven grandchildren.

I have forty years of public and health administration experience. I have a thorough knowledge of organization structure, budget process and federal and state grant application and compliance.

I am knowledgeable in Osage culture and tradition. I have served as drum keeper, committee man, and advisor. I have served on the Gray Horse Village Committee and as an advisor to the Gray Horse War Mothers.

I am a Viet Nam veteran. In Viet Nam I served as a senior medic on a Special Forces A-Team near the Cambodian border. I am now Post Service Officer for American Legion Post 198.

I firmly believe in tribal sovereignty, the Osage Nation and the Osage Nation’s potential for growth and prosperity . Growth and prosperity can only be achieved by the enactment of the Nation’s laws that enhance the Nation’s potential to meet its goals and objectives, economic diversity, education and tribal services. The Nation must move forward in a positive and progressive manner through resources and leadership by the acts of congress.

Through my proven experience and leadership, I would be a valuable asset to the Osage Nation and its citizens.

I would appreciate your consideration and support in the forthcoming June election,

Sincerely,
John W. Williams