Ha.we! My name is Rebekah HorseChief. I am pleased to announce my candidacy for the Osage Nation’s 5th Congress. My platform focuses on enhancing education opportunities for our youth and providing needed health services for our elders, among others. As an Osage language teacher and office/web manager for the Osage Nation Education Department, I learned to work with both our Tribal and federal budgets, interact with all departments and programs and evolve with our new government.
I have always wanted to work within an elected position in our government. This goal has fueled my passion for learning and academics. After graduating from Valley High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I attended the University of New Mexico where I received a B.A. in English Literature and International Indigenous Studies. This endeavor allowed me to study abroad at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia and do research in the Northern Island of New Zealand. I also attended the University of Pennsylvania on a post-graduate fellowship through the National Science Foundation to research and repatriate items with the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma. Currently, I am a M.A. candidate at the University of Tulsa College of Law enrolled in the Federal Indian Law and Energy Program, and will graduate in the fall.
If elected, I plan to introduce legislation that will provide much needed services, as well as generate a return to our Nation’s treasury. I believe our Nation is well equipped to operate tribally-operated businesses and programs, such as a funeral home, assisted living/nursing home and dialysis center. As a student and former employee of the Nation’s Education Department, I am dedicated to providing opportunities for recent college graduates, such as a “pathways to profession” program. Our constituents living at home or out of state will benefit from these services.
The commitment to my Tribe is rooted with my family. I was born in Los Alamos, New Mexico to Deborah Yates and Alfred HorseChief, Jr. My paternal grandparents are Alfred HorseChief Sr. and Freida Lee Bigheart Kipp. My maternal grandparents are Paul E. Yates Sr. and Eva Mae Coshehe Yates. My two brothers are John Levi HorseChief and Daryl Tabor. My four sisters are Geneva HorseChief-Hamilton, Mary HorseChief, Randilee Wahreshe HorseChief and Daya HorseChief.
I come from a long line of Tribal elected officials, and like them, I believe in our Tribe’s ability to self-govern and self-sustain while maintaining loyalty to our culture and language. On Election Day, vote for Rebekah HorseChief for Osage Nation Congress.
By
Osage News
Original Publish Date: 2016-04-28 00:00:00
