Friday, February 14, 2025
46.6 F
Pawhuska
HomeGovernmentOsage Agency Superintendent Adam Trumbly laid off as part of government reduction

Osage Agency Superintendent Adam Trumbly laid off as part of government reduction

In a move that could affect 200,000 employees across multiple federal agencies, the US Office of Personnel Management directed the firing of probationary employees

Editor’s Note: This is a developing story.

Adam Trumbly, the second Osage citizen to fill the BIA Osage Agency superintendent role, is being let go as part of President Trump’s efforts to reduce the government workforce.

The US Office of Personnel Management directed that probationary employees be fired on Thursday, possibly affecting 200,000 employees across multiple federal agencies.

Trumbly confirmed his termination in a phone call with Osage News on Friday morning. Trumbly was still on probation after filling the position in November of 2023. Probationary periods for employees are 18 months. Trumbly said his supervisor delivered the news.

Osage News reached out to Eddie Streater, the Regional Director for the Eastern Oklahoma Region for comment. As of press time, no comment was available.

Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear said he spoke with Adam Trumbly on Friday morning, who told him his services were no longer needed. 

Standing Bear also reached out to Streater who told him they were still trying to figure out who would be the acting superintendent – an office that handles the financial affairs of shareholders including leases, drawdowns and other issues relating to trust accounts.

Standing Bear said he was disappointed and praised Trumbly’s excellent performance record. He even hinted that he may have a position waiting for him within the Nation.

Chairman of the Osage Minerals Council Myron Red Eagle said he wasn’t surprised and wasn’t disappointed when he got the call from Trumbly saying he was being let go. 

The Osage News obtained a copy of the correspondence Trumbly sent to Standing Bear on Friday.

“I have been notified I will be relieved of duty effective sometime today as part of a government downsizing. It has been a pleasure working with you in my capacity as Superintendent for the Osage Agency. I will continue to assist the Osage Nation in any way I can; however, it appears as though it will no longer be in my capacity as Superintendent. I have not been notified of any plans going forward. Regional Director Streater should be reaching out to you in the incoming days to discuss the anticipated changes at the Agency.”

The Osage News received a copy of the above notification regarding federal layoffs following President Trump‘s executive order. Courtesy Photo

The Hill reported late Friday that OMP officials met with agency leaders about terminating probationary employees.

“The probationary period is a continuation of the job application process, not an entitlement for permanent employment. Agencies are taking independent action in light of the recent hiring freeze and in support of the President’s broader efforts to restructure and streamline the federal government to better serve the American people at the highest possible standard,” an OPM spokesperson said in a statement given to The Hill.

The widespread layoffs are part of President Trump’s latest executive order to reduce the federal workforce.

The move to terminate these employees was followed by the whiplash of the federal funding freeze that was later rescinded – something which would have affected tribal programs across the board.

A broad range of organizations signed onto a letter sent to President Trump on Feb. 2, spelling out how tribal programs were not part of Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI) and Ability programs or part of Environmental Justice Programs, but were part of the United States trust responsibility it owes to tribal nations.

“We call on the Trump Administration to ensure the United States delivery on its trust and treaty obligations does not become collateral damage in the Trump Administration’s implementation of its other priorities,” stated the letter.

“Federal Tribal programs are not racial or preference programs, and indeed these federal funds and programs are legally mandated under the trust and treaty obligations owed to us.”

Lisa Murkowski, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs also wrote her own letter of support and directed it at the US Department of the Interior.

The latest cutbacks, according to an email Osage News received, will affect 2,600 Department of Interior employees, 118 employees within the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Assistant Secretaries and 40 Bureau of Indian Education Employees.

The layoffs come on the heels of a speech newly appointed Interior Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum gave at the winter session of the National Congress of American Indians in Washington, D.C., where he praised tribal leaders and said his office would work with them on energy production and that he respects the trust relationship.

Trumbly recently helped the Osage Nation with the transfer of putting the Osage Nation Ranch into trust – one of the largest land transfers to happen. He served as the assistant attorney general for the Osage Nation before stepping into the BIA role. 

It’s unclear how many other positions across the region will be affected or if the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) will have success in challenging these layoffs – which they have called unjust and would hinder performance in the respective agencies.

Check back with Osage News for updates.

Author

Get the Osage News by email!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Allison Herrera
Allison Herrerahttps://osagenews.org
Title: Freelance Reporter
Languages spoken: English

Allison Herrera is a radio and print journalist who's worked for PRX's The World, Colorado Public Radio as the climate and environment editor and as a freelance reporter for High Country News’ Indigenous Affairs Desk. Herrera recently worked on Bloomberg and iHeart Media's In Trust with Rachel Adams-Heard, an investigative podcast about Osage Headrights. She currently works for KOSU as their Indigenous Affairs Reporter. Herrera’s Native ties are from her Xolon Salinan tribal heritage. In her free time, she likes buying fancy earrings, running and spending time with her daughter.
RELATED ARTICLES

In Case You Missed it...

Upcoming Events