Wintry weather conditions prompted cancelations and postponement of Osage Nation events including college stops for the 2025 Osage strategic plan update, as well as causing two consecutive closure days for most government employees.
The Nation’s Emergency Management Office and Human Resources Department issued the closure notices starting Feb. 18 when a snowstorm and bitter cold temperatures hit northeast Oklahoma and extended the government’s closure an additional day on Feb.19 as the region experienced single-digit high temperatures during the sunny day.
ON offices reopened at noon on Feb. 20 amid a Cold Weather Advisory issued by the National Weather Service in Tulsa that was predicted through Feb. 21.
Citing the inclement weather conditions, the Nation announced the postponement and rescheduling of the strategic plan update meetings scheduled for Feb. 18-20 at the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University and Tulsa Community College campuses respectively. Two strategic plan meetings postponed due to inclement weather in January are also rescheduled for March in Hominy and Ponca City, as well as a meeting for Southern California constituents.
A bus trip for Osage veterans to attend the 80th commemoration of the Iwo Jima flag-raising in Arizona on Feb. 22 was also canceled due to the inclement weather, according to the Nation’s social media updates.
Additionally, the Osage News postponed its Feb. 20-21 symposium focused on addressing the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) crisis. The two-day symposium event is now rescheduled for March 27-28 at the Ponca City Osage Casino & Hotel.
For 2025, the Nation announced a Strategic Plan Update Tour seeking input to update the Nation’s 25-year Vision & Strategic Plan Summary Report with refined priorities and wishes of the Osage public. As part of the outreach, the Nation planned the three college campus stops targeting the Gen Z population for the public meetings.
Rescheduled in-person Osage Strategic Plan Update meetings
- OU – Tuesday, Feb. 25, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Norman campus: Copeland Hall, Room #225, 860 Van Vleet Oval.
- OSU – Wednesday, Feb. 26, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Stillwater campus: 207 Wes Watkins Center, Room #209.
- TCC – Thursday, Feb. 27, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Southeast Campus: 10300 E. 81st St., 2nd Floor Student Union, SEC 9200A Fireplace Lounge.
- Carlsbad, Calif. – Saturday, March 1, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. (PST), Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave.
- Newly added Pawhuska meeting for Osage elders – Wednesday, March 12, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pawhuska Osage Casino & Hotel.
- Ponca City – Wednesday, March 12, 5 to 8 p.m., Ponca City Osage Casino & Hotel, 64464 U.S. Highway 60.
- Hominy – Thursday, March 13, 5 to 8 p.m., Hominy Village Community Building.
The ON Office of Strategic Planning can be reached by email at sgsp@osagenation-nsn.gov or call (918) 287-5450. Follow “Osage Strategic Update” on Facebook for event updates.
Follow the Osage News on Facebook or Instagram for any updates on the MMIP symposium.
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