Osage Nation Principal Chief John Red Eagle said his administration is “making strides in improving the Nation’s internal operations” and said the Nation is on the threshold of increased opportunities to benefit all Osages.  

For example, Chief Red Eagle said his office is moving forward this year with efforts to build new government campus buildings in the master plan. He made the announcement in his 2012 State of the Nation address during the March 9 Osage Sovereignty Day observance.

“The campus master plan is now moving forward in a diligent manner,” Red Eagle said in his address. “This is a major undertaking for the Osage Nation. It will dramatically enhance the quality of facilities and use of space on our campus with state of the art facilities, which will leave a lasting impact on Osage Nation members, employees and the public.”

Discussion of the master plan has been longstanding and stretched through two administrations. Chief Red Eagle said his office plans to seek funding during the Hun-Kah Congressional session, which starts its 24-day run on March 19.

“In the upcoming (ON Congress) session, we will be requesting funding to design all infrastructure, buildings, landscaping, roadways, parking, wayfinding (signs), pathways and all other items deemed necessary through the planning process,” Chief Red Eagle said in his address.

Chief Red Eagle delivered the 2012 State of the Nation address during the sixth annual observance of Osage Sovereignty Day. The tribal holiday pays homage to the reformed Osage government established in 2006 with the Constitution ratified on March 11 of that year.

Chief Red Eagle said the Nation has 15,616 Osages enrolled (as of early March) with the CDIB/ Membership Department. He also said the Nation employs more than 1,500 people across the Osage Nation jurisdiction with a combined payroll of more than $61 million.

Other Osage Nation statistics shared by Chief Red Eagle include:

– The ON Gaming Enterprise returned $36.5 million to the ON government last year to fund programs and services for Osages.

– In 2010, the Nation paid nearly $7 million in gaming compact fees to the state of Oklahoma.

– The Osage Minerals Estate, under the management of the Osage Minerals Council, produces about 4.5 million barrels of oil and 13 million cubic feet of natural gas annually. “The value of that raw product is nearly $400 million,” Chief Red Eagle said.

– The Nation owns or has an interest in approximately 5,000 acres of land in Osage County.  

Chief Red Eagle revisited his five goals for the Osage Nation, which he shared in his first address to the ON Congress in September 2010. He then shared details of progress made in reaching those goals.

His address touched on Osage language and culture, which is part of his 2010 goal “to refocus and restore our culture and unity as a tribal nation.”

“Our culture and language identify us as Osage,” Red Eagle said. “When Native people lose their language and their ways of doing things, they cease to exist as a distinct people.”

He touted the culture and language learning opportunities available through the Language Department and the Wah-Zha-Zhi Cultural Center. He said the annual Cultural Walk last year drew 75 participants in the walk heading south from the Kansas state line – a walk that recognizes the journey Osage ancestors made during their relocation to Oklahoma.

Chief Red Eagle said his administration is still “making strides in improving the Nation’s internal operations” as part of his second goal. He mentioned the implementation of the merit-based employment system, which took effect with the 2012 fiscal year’s start in October. The merit-based program mandates employee pay to be based on performance.

“Employees are now protected under this system, but (the) Merit (system) also provides for proper evaluations and competitive salaries in line with the region,” Red Eagle said, adding leadership training is also provided.

Chief Red Eagle also announced that two Osages have recently been hired for department director positions.

Robert Kirk will serve as the Nation’s Information Technologies Department director. His hire comes just as the Nation has purchased new computer software, which will help the Nation’s membership office, election office and education departments manage and update Osage membership data.

Jann Jones, a five-year employee with the Nation’s Environmental and Natural Resources Department (ENR), has been promoted to its director post. She previously served as a natural resource specialist, which handled the department’s grant responsibilities.

Chief Red Eagle said his administration has a “continuing goal” to strengthen economic initiatives to benefit Osage people and strengthen its relationships with other government entities.

“Currently, my administration is working hard to develop short- and long-range economic plans that are viable for the Nation,” Red Eagle said. “This initiative must be developed in cooperation with the Osage Congress so that we can move forward together in order to implement a more strategic sound and robust effort for success.”

For example, Chief Red Eagle said his office has taken advantage of a restricted land-repurchasing fund created by legislation last year so the Nation may increase its land base. He then said the Nation owns or has an interest in approximately 5,000 acres.

Chief Red Eagle also said his administration is improving educational opportunities for Osages. He said over 2,000 Osages have benefitted from the Nation’s scholarship program; the summer youth program employs 60 students; Thirty-three students have completed internships and externships; and over 2,000 students across Osage County have received school supplies through the Nation’s Johnson O’Malley program.

Red Eagle revisited his fifth objective of improving the health and wellness of Osages, in which he said he has appointed members to a health governing board “to help plan and develop the Nation’s future health initiatives.”

Red Eagle also credited Congress for working with his office in passing legislation to make government efforts and goals a reality.

“Many of the items I have presented to you… were due to the compassion of individual Congress members and my support of their legislation. While we sometimes disagree we must always continue to strive to communicate and work together in a spirit of cooperation for the overall betterment of the Osage people and their government.”