By Maria Whitehorn
My name is Maria Whitehorn. I am happy to announce my candidacy for Osage Nation Congress and am asking for your vote.
My interest in Osage governance started as a child when my father, Dudley Whitehorn, would come home from work talking about his day. His example showed me what it means to serve the Osage people.
In 2012, I was elected to the Osage Congress and it was my honor to serve for eight years. For two terms, I listened to you, researched current issues, fostered communication between colleagues, and helped Congress develop our underlying laws and processes. I always cast my vote according to the needs of you, the constituency.
I still support direct benefits through our Scholarship program, Health Benefit, and Burial Assistance. I will advocate for a comprehensive, focused economic development strategy. I support purchasing land as we can afford.
During my previous terms I oversaw various responsibilities as Congressional Speaker, Appropriations Chair, Water Rights Task Force Chair. I currently serve as the Osage Shareholder Association Chair.
Good legislation is a collaborative effort between the Congress, the Executive administration, and the people we serve. I have written several pieces of successful legislation, such as cost free elderly and disabled veterans car tags and have authored the language of three constitutional amendments that the Osage people voted to adopt.
When elected my legislative focuses will specifically be land and water rights. Congress is given “General Authority” over “all natural resources within the territory of the Nation.” Currently, the Nation has no statutes defining the land types the Nation owns, how we lease, manage, inventory or implement a land use system. Land is your asset and information about it should be open, transparent and guided by law, not hidden by lease or contract. Using my experience, I will encourage Congress to use their authority to oversee a collaborative effort toward a settlement claim for Osage Water Rights.
I believe the Mineral Council has the sole authority over the Minerals Estate. Our assets are being misused by over-regulation, litigation, and executive overreach. Each of these barriers create a difficult business climate for production in Osage County and negatively affect headright holders and their families.
As a member of Congress and a shareholder, I will support the 1906 Act and the Minerals Council financially and legislatively to protect the estate.
I have been away from Congress for a few years. I have spent this time taking care of my father, who was not only a loving father, grandfather, and friend to many, but also a keeper of our Osage ways. I hope to live by his example if chosen to serve you again. God places all things in His timing, refreshes us, and will continue to bless and protect our people.
Thank you, Osage People for your time. I respectfully ask for your vote and another opportunity to serve you. I love this work and will support the sustainability of the Osage, to build a positive path for future generations.
Editor’s Note: Candidate statements and announcements are not edited by the Osage News. They are a free submission offered to candidates of the 2024 Osage Nation Congressional Election.
