My name is Billy Keene and I humbly ask for your support to be elected to Osage Congress. I am the father of Carson Anthony Keene and Robert Owen Keene (ROK). I am the son of Joe and Margaret Denise Keene. Margaret Denise Keene is the daughter of Cecilia Red Eagle and Wiley Thornton, the granddaughter of Harry Red Eagle Sr. and Mary Red Eagle. I am the great-great-great grandson of Governor Joe. I am a member of the Zon-Zo-Li District and have danced in the Osage In-Lon-Schka for over 20 years. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Haskell Indian Nations University and a Juris Doctorate from Oklahoma City University School of Law with an Indian Law Certificate. I am honored to also serve on the Haskell University Foundation.
I currently work with the Osage Nation Compliance Department and provide oversight and internal reviews for 30 tribal departments. This work experience gives me a keen insight into how our day-to-day operations operate. It is time for change. I promise to always look to see how our tribal dollars can serve our most vulnerable populations first (elders, children, sick/handicapped) before these dollars leave the Osage Nation Treasury.
Our language and culture departments are vital and make us who we are. I will be a staunch advocate for these programs. Maintaining key benefits like the health card along with education benefits and burial assistance is essential. In the past Congress has appropriated millions of dollars to LLC’s who have not returned a profit. Currently Pawhuska is experiencing an economic boom. It is inexcusable the Osage Nation does not have a profitable business presence in the downtown Pawhuska area. As your Congressman, I promise to use common sense when evaluating what dollars go toward economic development. Oklahoma Governor Stitt has taken action to attack our gaming operations and tribal sovereignty, my Indian Law Certificate gives me a unique skill-set to confront these legal challenges.
I will not campaign on empty promises, and won’t pitch “pie in the sky” ideas to you. It is paramount we spend our Tribal dollars smarter. I pledge to have an open channel of communication with the Osage Constituents and always provide needed feedback even when Congress is not in session. Let’s work together to create a better Osage Nation for all Osages and move this Nation forward.
By
Billy Keene
Original Publish Date: 2020-04-14 00:00:00
