By
Benny Polacca
The Sixth Osage Nation Congress will convene for its Sixth Special Session starting May 13 to allow the Select Committee of Inquiry proceedings to continue its investigation matters.
With the COVID-19 pandemic and spreading concerns still in mind, the Congress voted on April 27 – the final day of the 2020 Hun-Kah Session – to waive parts of its Congressional rules to allow the special session and SCOI meetings to convene by electronic means. The entire 24-day regular session took place through video conferencing set up by Congressional Office staff with the session and committee meetings audio-recorded and live-streamed for the public listeners.
The five-Congressional member SCOI is investigating allegations against Congresswoman Shannon Edwards regarding her 2019 appellate judge post for the Yavapai-Apache Nation in Arizona and the committee can only meet during a regular or special session. Per Congressional rules, the SCOI “shall conduct a comprehensive limited investigation to the allegations listed in the motion for removal (and) shall have the power to gather evidence, interview witnesses, take testimony under oath and subpoena documents as prescribed by Osage law and these Rules of Congress.”
An April 25 special session proclamation lists “Select Committee of Inquiry Proceedings” as purpose/ justification for the special session. According to the Osage Constitution, special sessions may be called at the written request of two-thirds of the Congress members and may last up to 10 days.
With all Congress members working from their respective remote locations, 11 Congress members, except Edwards, submitted electronic signatures for the written April 25 special session proclamation.
Selected by ON Supreme Court Associate Justice Elizabeth Lohah Homer in April, SCOI members Alice Goodfox, Archie Mason, RJ Walker, Second Speaker Paula Stabler and Speaker Joe Tillman will continue their investigation meetings, which will be held in executive session. Per Osage law, Congressional sessions and meetings may meet for executive sessions to discuss sensitive information including personnel matters, which are at issue in this occurrence.
Shortly before the Hun-Kah Session adjourned, Goodfox, who is the SCOI chairwoman, made a motion to “waive and suspend” parts of the Congressional rules of procedure for the special session “to allow the body, including committees, to meet by electronic means presided over by the Speaker while in the Congressional (office).” The motion passed with a 12-0 vote.
For more information regarding ON Congressional regular or special sessions, filed legislation and Congressional committee meetings, visit the Legislative Branch website at www.osagenation-nsn.gov/who-we-are/legislative-branch
Original Publish Date: 2020-05-05 00:00:00
