Eight individuals received confirmation votes from the Ninth Osage Nation Congress to serve full terms as ON board and commission members during the 2025 Hun-Kah Session.
In accordance with the Congressional rules, the individual appointees submitted their professional resumes and a filled-out questionnaire that were submitted to Congress as part of the vetting process, which includes consideration at the Congressional committee level. Afterward, a committee motion is made declaring whether the appointees are qualified and the individual is subject to a motion for confirmation vote during the session.
During the spring session, the following individuals received confirmation votes to respective boards and commissions where they will serve three-year terms after being appointed by Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear, unless noted.
- For the Nation’s Veterans Memorial Commission, Frances Williams is reappointed and confirmed to serve another term.
- For the Grayhorse Village Committee, Carol Kliesen and Mark Bowman are each reappointed and confirmed to serve another term.
- Michael Hopper is a first-time appointed member to serve on the Traditional Cultural Advisors Committee. He received a confirmation vote to serve the remaining two years of the term held by the late George Shannon, who passed away in February.
- Another first-time board appointment is Lancer D. Stephens, PhD, who is confirmed to serve on the Si-Si A-Pe-Txa (health authority) Board. Stephens is from the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes and is an Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma Hudson College of Public Health, where he teaches classes on American Indian health, ethical research, and social and behavioral factors of public health, according to the school’s website.
- Serving on the Osage News Editorial Board are Teresa Lamsam and Tara McLain Manthey, who are also reappointments to serve new terms. Lamsam is a board appointee by Standing Bear, and Manthey is an appointee from the Congress. The Editorial Board is comprised of three individuals with two board appointments each made by the Legislative and Executive branches and those two members are subject to Congressional confirmation. The two confirmed board members appoint the third board member, who is also subject to a confirmation vote.
- A first-time confirmed board member who is now serving on the Wahzhazhe Elections Board is Corbin Dewitt. Based in Ponca City, Dewitt comes from Hominy, is an Oklahoma State University graduate and works as a real estate agent, according to his Facebook account.
The confirmation votes took place during the 24-day spring session, which ended on April 28. For more information on Congressional sessions, committee agendas and to view filed legislation, visit the Legislative Branch website at: https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/who-we-are/legislative-branch
