With the 2020 Osage election season underway, the two California regional Osage groups have scheduled spring gathering events on back-to-back dates in late March with candidate forums planned for Osage Congressional candidates.

On Saturday, March 28, the United Osages of Southern California will host its day-long spring gathering at the Carlsbad Senior Center, according to UOSC Chairman Greg Clavier. The Carlsbad Senior Center is located at 799 Pine Ave.

The UOSC gathering starts at 10 a.m. with the focus on the candidate forum open to those running for office in the June 1 general election. For more information and to RSVP attendance for the UOSC gathering, those planning to attend may email socal.osages@gmail.com.

The filing period for Osages interested in running for Congress starts Feb. 4 and ends March 2. In addition to the Monday, June 1 Election Day voting opportunity, the Osage Nation Election Office will be open for early voting on Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30 in Pawhuska. 

On Sunday, March 29, the Northern California Osage is hosting its respective spring gathering in Woodland at the Fairfield Inn & Suites, according to Keir Johnson-Reyes, who is part of the NCO’s planning committee. Fairfield Inn is located at 2100 Freeway Dr. in Woodland, which is approximately 18 miles northwest of downtown Sacramento.

Johnson-Reyes said the planning committee is finalizing the gathering agenda by early February, but plans do call for a candidate forum to be held along with an Osage culture activity afterward.

The NCO also has a website at www.northerncaliforniaosage.org which includes gathering meeting information, as well as a “Books on the Osage” reading list of books and articles on Osage history and the people.

In related election news, the Osage News plans to host its 2020 election candidate debates on Saturday, April 4 at the Tulsa Osage Casino Hotel. The debates will be held in the Oak and Dogwood conference rooms and start at 1 p.m.