By Traci Phillips
My name is Traci Phillips and I am excited to announce my candidacy for Osage Nation Congress and humbly ask for your support. I am the granddaughter of Marguerite Thomas Finegan an original allotee and daughter of the late Denzil Raymond Finegan Jr, we descend from Maria James older sister of Wah-she-pe-she father of the Morrell’s.
Since 2003 I am the founder & CEO of Natural Evolution, Inc, an e-steward, ISO:14001, NAID, Hubzone, MBE Certified electronics recycling company located in Tulsa. NEI is the only Native American Owned, and one of only two Woman Owned e-Steward companies in the U.S. NEI has responsibly recycled over 65 million pounds of electronics to date, servicing & receiving e-waste from federal agencies, tribal governments, fortune 100 companies & municipalities in the lower 48 states.
Beginning in 1996 I was employed in Information Technology working in both the telecom and health care industries on elite teams revolutionizing technology in our industries.
I have been honored to serve on multiple boards, including the Osage Casino Enterprise Gaming board, American Indian Chamber of Commerce, Wakon’Owatsi, Osage Shareholders Association, state task forces and special committees. As a leader in my industry, I have been nationally recognized in the New York Times & Woman’s Day.
As Osage people we need leaders who are willing to protect our Nation’s Sovereignty and exercise the Nation’s power and resources for the good of all Osages. I make the commitment to be that kind of leader.
Our culture and language is the essence of who we are as Osage People. I am committed to preserving & strengthening our culture and language, it is crucial to the essence of who we are as 𐓷𐓘𐓻𐓘𐓻𐓟 𐓩𐓣𐓤𐓘𐓯𐓣.
I am committed to our Nation’s financial security. I support a diverse portfolio of businesses and will work toward developing a department of commerce to cultivate and support the economic growth of our Nation and revenue generating entities.
I am committed to helping ensure our Nation identifies & secures the tools and resources needed to help develop our Nation, citizens, and businesses to continue building a successful, healthy, future.
We must protect the health of our natural resources as they are essential to the vitality of our Nation. I commit to protecting and caring for the home our ancestors purchased and to take deliberate informed actions to plan and prepare for our future, so our land and resources flourish forever.
I support and encourage the Osage Minerals Council to develop and administer the mineral’s estate in accordance with the Act of June 28, 1906.
I profoundly believe it is vital we protect and exercise Osage Sovereignty, are culturally strong, financially secure, and resilient as a nation.
The actions and efforts I take will be in support of these commitments, to listen, collaborate and focus on achieving strategic goals that preserve and strengthen us as a nation for this generation and the next. Visit www.traciphillips.info to connect and learn more.
Editor’s Note: Candidate statements and announcements are not edited by the Osage News. They are a free submission offered to candidates of the 2024 Osage Nation Congressional Election.
