By Mary Jo Pratt

Osage Nation family & friends, my name is Mary Jo Pratt & I am asking for your support & vote in my bid for a seat in our Osage Nation Congress.

I am very proud to say, I am a first generation college graduate and I am also a product of our Osage gaming as a recipient of the Osage Nation Higher Education Scholarship. I have earned an Associate in Science – Accounting degree, A Bachelor of Science – Forensic Accounting degree, and a Master of Business Administration degree focusing on Data Driven Strategic Solutions. I am a strong advocate for education because I know the amazing impact it can have on a person and their community. I strongly support our Osage Nation Higher Education Scholarship benefits.

My Osage blood comes from my father, Stacey Kip Pratt. Freda Lee Kipp Horse Chief Pratt Bigheart was my grandmother, she was the daughter of Josephine Wah-hre-she (Osage) & George Kipp (Blackfeet).

Having served in Corporate Accounting as a Financial Analyst, I know the importance of maintaining and providing fundamentally objective information to key decision makers. The numbers tell a story and it’s vital to understand that story as it relates to creating a budget & making important decisions for our people. These decisions must be made with a strong foundation of facts and the integrity of the data must not be compromised. As a sovereign nation, we must fully understand our current state as well as our future direction of where we want to go. Understanding how to read financials is also key.

I have tribal enterprise experience in project management as well as analyzing and improving core business processes so that a business will stop losing money and start making money. The ability to review our program processes and the intention of the program is key to efficiency.  

Currently, I am employed by Cherokee Nation Businesses and work in the business development sector. My job consists of proposal development, analyzing client needs, customer relationship management and partnership development I work to create, maintain, and grow long term, strategic relationships so that my business can grow and prosper. I also work with large corporations who wish to work with minority and/or disadvantaged businesses as well as oversee Supply Chain Solutions, logistics and distribution processes. If there is something that needs to be done or investigated, I do what needs to be done to accomplish it in a timely manner. Every single day, this is the mentality I exhibit; having the ability to bring diverse partners together to deliver a quality customer solution.

As a Nation, we want to ensure prosperity & a strong foundation for generations to come. I know we can work together to make this happen and the time is NOW. 

Wa.we.na for your time, consideration, support & VOTE!

Mary Jo Pratt, 918-813-8277

www.Facebook.com/MaryJoPratt4OsageCongress