During the 2023 Tzi-Sho Session, the Eighth Osage Nation Congress confirmed several individuals to serve on various boards for the Nation.
Except where noted in Osage law, the appointments are made by Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear and referred to the 12-member Congress for legislative consideration for confirmation votes. The Congress voted to confirm the following individuals to respective board and commission seats:
- For the Nation’s Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Board, Congress confirmed former Assistant Principal Chief Raymond Red Corn, Steven Blue and Micah Boulanger to serve on the board overseeing the institution known as Manzeska Ota Tsi (the Place to Borrow Money (PBM) Lending). All three confirmation votes were unanimous with Congresswoman Whitney Red Corn abstaining from the vote for Raymond Red Corn.
- Three individuals received confirmation votes to serve on the Grayhorse Village Committee (also referred to as the Five-Man Board). The individuals now serving on the Village Committee are Wayne Ray Mitchell, Judy Johnson and Charles “Chuck” Tillman III. All three received unanimous votes with Congressman Joe Tillman abstaining from the vote for Chuck Tillman.
- Five Osage elders received confirmation votes for serving on the Traditional Cultural Advisors Committee. Serving on the TCA committee are George Shannon, Raymond Lasley, Norman Akers, Mary “Liz” Ricketts and Dr. Steven Pratt.
- Two alternate Osage News Editorial Board members received confirmation votes to serve second terms including Dr. Robert Warrior and Dennis McAuliffe. Per the Nation’s Independent Press Act amended in 2019, should one of the three sitting Editorial Board members be unable to temporarily serve on the board without the appearance of a conflict of interest, then one of the two alternates would step in. Warrior’s appointment was made by an affirmative Congressional vote and McAuliffe’s appointment was made by Standing Bear.
- Two Osage elders and military veterans are each confirmed to serve an additional term on the Nation’s Veterans Memorial Commission. U.S. Navy Veteran Franklin McKinley and Marine Corps. Veteran John Henry Mashunkashey was confirmed to serve on the Veterans Memorial Commission. The vote for Mashunkashey was 10-0 with one absence from Congressman Billy Keene and one abstention from Congresswoman Jodie Revard.
The Eighth ON Congress will convene for its final 24-day regular session, which is the 2024 Hun-Kah Session, starting on March 25 before the General Election on June 3.
