The Ninth Osage Nation Congress approved three legislative items dealing with grant funding matches and to cover costs toward the Fairfax Visitors Center in the works.
For construction-related costs, the Congress voted to pass bill ONCA 25-51 (sponsored by Congresswoman Jodie Revard), which is “An Act to authorize residual assets in the Capital Asset Fund in the amount of $30,000 of to be utilized for the Fairfax Visitor Center project and the amount of $17,000 for pickle ball court fencing.”
“This piece of legislation does not affect our unappropriated balance (of current fiscal year tribal funding) at this time,” Revard said. “These are residuals from our capital asset revolving fund and they’re just being earmarked for other projects now based off the residual balances available.”
On Feb. 24, the Nation broke ground on a new ON Visitors Center along Main Street in Fairfax. According to the bill, the $30,000 will go toward design, engineering and construction costs for the structure.
Also noted in ONCA 25-51, the mentioned new pickle ball court is now open next to the basketball court at the Wahzhazhe Outdoor Sports Complex just south of Main Street in Pawhuska, which opened to the public in October 2024.
Congress also approved the following two resolutions in support of the Nation receiving grant funding toward language and broadband endeavors:
- ONCR 25-08 (sponsored by Congressman Scott BigHorse) is “A Resolution to support a grant tribal match in the amount of $180,000 for the Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance grant.” According to a fiscal analysis of the resolution, the Nation applied for a $720,000 federal grant, which requires $180,000 in matching funds for the grant to be awarded.
Vann Bighorse, Secretary of Language, Culture and Education, told the Congressional Appropriations Committee, the funding is for a three-year grant and the money will be used toward upgraded computer and electronic purchases for Daposka Ahnkodapi students.
- ONCR 25-09 (BigHorse) is “A Resolution to support a grant tribal match in the amount of $750,000 for the USDA Community Connect grant.” A fiscal analysis of the resolution states the Nation is applying for a $4,250,000 grant, which requires a $750,000 match of tribal funding to be awarded.
During a Congressional Appropriations Committee meeting on the legislation, Wahzhazhe Connect Director Drew Tiger said the grant application seeks to expand broadband service to include the Osage Hills State Park area. He also noted the Nation-owned Lost Creek Ranch is about three miles from the park and would also benefit from the broadband expansion.
On April 11, Congress passed the three legislative items with a 9-0 vote and three absences at the time from Congress members Alice Goodfox, Eli Potts and Whitney Red Corn. Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear signed the items to take effect afterward. For more ON Congressional information on sessions, committees and to view filed legislative documents, visit the Legislative Branch website at: https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/who-we-are/legislative-branch
