January 2022
The beginning of 2022 saw three candidates file for Principal Chief: Angela Pratt, Geoffrey Standing Bear and Joe Tillman. RJ Walker was the lone candidate to file for the Assistant Principal Chief position at the time and all four candidates were featured on the front page.
Also featured on the front page was another tremendous accomplishment by Osage/Creek artist Yatika Fields who ran in the Boston Marathon. The Nation also mourned the death of 95-year-old Marjorie Tallchief, the younger sister of Maria Tallchief. Marjorie was the first American to be “première danseuse étoile” at the Paris Opera Ballet.
Osage actor Larry Sellers, who famously played “Cloud Dancing” in the 1990s hit television series “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” died at the age of 72 and Mogri Lookout was given an honorary doctorate from Kansas State University and gave his commencement speech in the Osage language.
February 2022
In February, the long-running federal lawsuit pitting the Minerals Council and the United States against subsidiaries of Italian utility giant Enel had another hearing and the federal government asked that the wind turbines be removed from the prairie and that $26 million in damages be paid.
Also in February, the Minerals Council sought the return of headrights through federal legislation; Grayhorse elder Archie Mason was the recipient of the 2022 American Indian Circle of Honor; and the Nation mourned the death of Pawhuska elder and former Assistant Principal Chief Kenneth H. Bighorse Sr.
The Wahzhazhe Elections Board certified six primary election candidates for ballot, including two new candidates for assistant chief, Joseph Thornton and Thomas Trumbly.
March 2022
The Osage County Commissioners dismissed a proposal from the Drummond family to privatize a 15-mile stretch of county road failed. The Nation was prepared to mount a legal fight if they had been successful. A federal judge ruled Enel must produce the financial profitability of its wind farm.
Three deaths of prominent Osages impacted all three districts. Osage citizens mourned the deaths of Alissa Hamilton, former principal chief Charles Tillman, Jr. and former Osage Tribal Councilman and Minerals Councilman Dudley Whitehorn.
The date was set for the Sesquicentennial Celebration, the U.S. Court of Appeals revived the Fletcher II case, and Susan Bayro is the first Osage woman elected to serve on the Pawhuska City Council.
April 2022
The Primary Election results came in and the final four candidates for the principal chief and assistant principal chief races were Geoffrey Standing Bear, Joe Tillan, RJ Walker and Thomas Trumbly.
Twenty-four bison from the Bronx Zoo were released onto the Osage Nation Ranch and their journey was 100 years in the making, a story you don’t want to miss. A News partnership with the Institute for Non-profit News and ICT looked at the economic development opportunities regional partnerships could bring to the reservation.
Disc golf, fishing pond, picnic areas and more announced for the Heritage Trail in Pawhuska; Petty Officer 3rd Class Dresdyn Hinman serves the U.S. Navy at Amphibious Construction Battalion One out of San Diego, Calif.; Nation purchases land in Hominy for purpose of senior housing and the Nation expands Emergency Rental Assistance Program availability to Osages nationwide.
May 2022
A blanket design by Osage entrepreneur Jasmine Phetsacksith is chosen for the Sesquicentennial commemoration. President Biden nominates Vincent Logan to the Farm Credit Administration; the UOSC hosts a 2022 election candidate forum in Carlsbad, Calif.; and Osage language students win big at the Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair.
A bronze statue of Osage prima ballerina Marjorie Tallchief is stolen from the grounds of the Tulsa Historical Society and sold for scrap; a former ON Congresswoman’s case against Angela Pratt is dismissed in ON trial court; a sexual harassment settlement for an Osage woman shocks citizens; 10 new senior housing units are constructed in Pawhuska, and a ribbon cutting is held for the new Wakon Iron Chapel.
June 2022
Geoffrey Standing Bear wins re-election for principal chief and RJ Walker is the Nation’s new assistant principal chief. Seven are elected to the 8th Osage Nation Congress, they are Scott BigHorse, Alice Goodfox, Eli Potts, Brandy Lemon, Otto Hamilton, Whitney Red Corn and Paula Stabler. Eight individuals were also elected to the 5th Osage Minerals Council, Anthony Shackelford, Talee Redcorn, Melissa Currey, Everett Waller, Kenny Bighorse Jr., Myron Red Eagle, Paul Revard and Joe Cheshewalla.
Hundreds came out for an extra scene filmed for the upcoming film, “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Director Martin Scorsese attended the filming and thanked the Osage people for their love and participation in the making of the film.
Plans and schematics for a sleek, new medical clinic in Pawhuska are unveiled; and Missouri-based Osages, Bruce Pollock and Claudette Carnett are tapped to serve on the Gaming Enterprise Board.
July 2022
The Supreme Court rules states and feds have concurrent jurisdiction to prosecute crimes in Indian Country in Oklahoma v. Victor Castro-Huerta. The Nation increases its burial assistance benefit for members nationwide; a website is launched for updates on Lake of the Ozarks gaming plans; the Osage LLC board summarily removes the award-winning ON Ranch advisory board.
The Wahzhazhe Elections board certifies the 2022 General Election results; Osage veteran Terry Don Buckles selected for Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.; ON Congress passes $3 million bill to pursue a Nation-owned funeral facility; and the Grayhorse District holds its Inlonshka dances and Drumkeeper Jacob Lux passes the drum to George Shaw.
August 2022
Osage officials take oaths of office at the 2022 inauguration ceremony in Tulsa. Bartlesville and Pawhuska Osage Casino & Hotel openings delayed until Fall 2023. Osage elders and community members reflect on the origins of Wakon Iron Hall.
Osage citizens living west of Pawhuska take refuge at Wakon Iron Chapel after repeated water access problems disrupt their lives. Margo Gray, John Henry Mashunkashey and Judy Tiger are selected for the 14th Annual AARP Oklahoma Native American Elder Honors. Osage officials break ground on a new Wakon Iron Community building.
September 2022
Maria Tallchief is included in the 2023 American Women Quarters program, announced by the U.S. Mint. The portrait and bust of Shonke Mon thi^ are now on display at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. The Nation is awarded a $40.6 million broadband grant and the Nation cut the ribbon on a new Fairfax Senior Housing Complex.
Osage artist and fashion designer Dante Biss-Grayson debuted a new fashion line at Santa Fe Indian Market. The Osage News is the first tribally-owned newspaper to join The Trust Project. The Wah-Zha-Zhe Health Center received accreditation from AAAHC, six Osage Nation Cabinet Secretaries are now serving the Executive Branch after Standing Bear redid his organizational chart and did away with the Director of Operations position.
October 2022
The Nation is awarded $54 million in total to improve high-speed broadband on the reservation; the Sesquicentennial Celebration activities are announced; the Language Department publishes a children’s book, “Coyote and the Bear,” and the ON Congress passes a resolution urging Oklahoma state legislators to repeal HB 1775.
The Emmys In Memoriam honored Osage actor Larry Seller; Congress confirms board members for Tax Commission, Veterans Memorial Commission, and Gaming Commission; Congress confirms three individuals to serve on Nation’s first CDFI board.
November 2022
Osages from across the country enjoyed the Sesquicentennial Celebration and tell of their experiences. The Nation moves forward with a multi-million-dollar Sports Complex in Pawhuska; Astronaut Nicole Mann answers questions from Osage students aboard the International Space Station and the Pawhuska District hosted its Inlonshka.
A federal judge rejects request for sanctions against Osage Wind developer; Osage News wins Best Newspaper from Society of Professional Journalists OK chapter for the fifth time; Gaming Enterprise Board reports $100,000 in donations to seven Lake of Ozarks community entities; WZZHC hires Marcy Barton as its Director of Nursing.
December 2022
Indigenous astronaut Nicole Mann answers questions from Osage students aboard ISS; Osage Congress votes to reclassify Gaming Commission report during a special session; Title VI gets an overhaul and health board plans for assisted living facilities; Osage veterans attend the dedication of the National Native American Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
ON Education Department hosts 2022 College & Career Fair; Chelsea Pease Engle receives March of Dimes Heroes in Action award; Echo Reed joins Osage News as multimedia specialist and the Tulsa Osage Group hosts panel on McGirt and Castro-Huerta case.
