GRAYHORSE VILLAGE – Brooklin Sweezy hosted an election dinner here, sharing her education experience and inspirations for why she is running for the 9th Osage Nation Congress.
She addressed about 30 attendees on May 4, after guests enjoyed a meal that consisted of barbecued meats and sides. The meal was provided by her mother, who owns her own catering business.
Sweezy said as a little girl, she grew up tagging along with her dad James Dailey and her grandmother, Nora Osage. She attended dinners and meetings with them, where Osages would talk openly about issues affecting the tribe.
“They would just talk for hours and hours. I would always try to nonchalantly sit around, hang out and listen to what they were saying. Until one of them caught me and told me to go play. But when I was listening, they were always talking of ways to improve our people, our tribe and what was going on politically,” she said. “So I’ve always been embraced in this political environment. From a very young age. I’ve always had an interest in wanting to help others, and not putting myself first. My grandma Nora Osage used to tell me when I was just a teenager that one day I was going to be a leader. She used to tell me that all the time.”



One of her inspirations was the first woman Chief of the Cherokee Nation, Wilma Mankiller. She got to meet Mankiller when she was young and it left an impression on her.
Sweezy recently graduated with a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma in Indigenous Peoples Law, citing the ON Higher Education Scholarship and how it helped her pay for her education. She said she was a staunch advocate for increasing the scholarship amount for Osage students.
“To obtain that degree, it was very difficult for me and I have a great sense of accomplishment for completing that program. I was able to learn how to become a legal expert in legal research and writing. I’m confident that I can argue to defend our tribe,” she said.
She detailed her 15 years of accounting experience, working for the Stillwater Housing Authority. While employed there she completed an audit with zero findings, “And I’m very proud of that. I’m able to review budgets and financial reports with a fine-tooth comb.”
“I want to encourage our younger voters to please get involved. Listen to what’s going on, and give back to your own community. I want to give back to my tribe, as my tribe has always been giving. This place always feels like home. And we can all practice our own civic engagement by voting in this election and staying active in our government. I humbly ask you for your vote. And I asked you for your support. And my lifelong goal in helping – please let me be your voice.”
Election Day is Monday, June 3. The poll opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m.