Osage Nation files suit after the DOI’s ‘stalling tactics’ hinder self-governance efforts
The Nation proposed that the federal government pay $4.87 million to the Nation to take over BIA functions – $4.36 million of which would come from closing down the Osage Agency and $485,000 from costs associated with the regional office.
Written by Louise Red Corn
When Geoffrey Standing Bear addressed the Osage Nation at his inauguration as principal chief of the Osage Nation in July of 2022, the audience became noticeably fired up when he called for the tribe to govern its own land, its own territories, and its own people.
“Minerals Council,” he said to a roll of luluing and applause: “It is time for you to fully manage our mineral estate for our people.
“Congress: … We need you to enact laws of the Osage Nation to do this …
“Be quick about it. Life is short. Be quick about it.”
It is now more than two years later, and the Standing Bear administration, after at least six compact-negotiating sessions, has yielded no agreement as to the tribe taking over functions performed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. They have now filed suit against the U.S. Department of Interior. Those functions include not just management of the Osage Minerals Estate, but also real estate, probate, and trust services.
It is unclear how the Minerals Council feels about the lawsuit: None of its members responded to an email on Aug. 12 asking them to comment on the case.
The Office of the Chiefs also declined to comment; Standing Bear was out of town at a conference and could not be reached. Assistant Chief R.J. Walker said Standing Bear’s input was needed to respond to questions the Osage News posed.
In a prepared release issued before his departure, Standing Bear was adamant about the Osage asserting sovereignty.
“The Department of Interior’s stalling tactics are well known among Indian Country,” he said. “The Osage Nation and our Attorney General Clint Patterson will not sit idle while they [DOI] continue micromanaging the Osage Nation Minerals Estate.
“Consistent with the United States and Osage Nation Constitutions, the Osage Nation has the right to self-governance and the Osage Minerals Council has the right to administer and develop the Osage Minerals Estate.
“The Osage Nation will continue our one-hundred-year-plus battle for these rights.
“It is time for the Department of the Interior to respect tribal sovereignty and stop violating the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
“Our Minerals Council can and will receive autonomy over our Osage Minerals Estate.”
According to the suit, filed in March in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, DOI rejected the Osage Nation’s “final offer” to take over the work performed by the BIA’s Osage Agency as well as the Osage share of work performed by the BIA’s Eastern Oklahoma Regional Office in Muskogee.
The DOI, however, argues that the Osage Nation has yet to make a “final offer” under the provisions of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, the law that rules such compacts. The DOI also says that the amount of money the tribe is requesting is excessive and would result in a reduction of services and funding to other tribes.
The Nation proposed that the federal government would pay the Nation $4.87 million to take over the functions – $4.36 million of which would come from closing down the Osage Agency and $485,000 from costs associated with the regional office.
The Nation’s funding request included money for positions that have been vacant or unfunded, including four realty assistant positions for $287,000, two accounting technician jobs for $32,000 and 12 petroleum engineering technicians and an engineer for $1.1 million.
The Nation’s offer said that the vacant or unfunded positions should have been funded but were “reorganized and diverted away from the Nation’s benefit during protracted years of negotiation” after new positions were created in the wake of an Office of the Inspector General report that found BIA mismanagement at the Osage Agency.
Congress provided $2 million in funding for new positions to address BIA failings but after “it depleted those funds, the BIA began to divert Osage Nation tribal shares to fund the OAO (Osage Agency Office) positions in response to BIA mismanagement, the offer said.
“In summary,” the offer said, “the BIA in recent years used the Nation’s Tribal Shares to continue to fund the BIA positions in response to the OIG Report, but insisted that these positions are performing only inherent federal functions so that none of the funding is available for transfer to the Nation …” Thus, in 2016 – after the Inspector General issued its scathing report, the BIA determined that $1.4 million was available for transfer to the Nation, while in 2023 only $999,000 was – a reduction of more than $400,000.
On Aug. 13, both sides in the case filed upcoming schedules, specifically on when they will file documents related to a motion for summary judgment against the Nation by DOI. On or before Sept. 11, DOI plans to file for summary judgment because it has not waived its sovereign immunity based on its argument that the Nation has not formally made a “final offer.” The Nation intends to respond to that motion by Sept. 25, and the DOI will reply to that by Oct. 9 or 16 – DOI wants the latter date, but the Nation argues it doesn’t need the extra week.
“Defendants have diligently begun work on their motion for summary judgment and have concluded that numerous exhibits will be used to demonstrate that Plaintiff has failed to make a ‘final offer’ under the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act,” DOI said in the disputed scheduling proposal.
“Accordingly, Defendants expect the opposition and reply to require significant work.”
91-year-old Fort Sill Indian School relic recovered from creek near Lawton
More than 60 years after the Fort Sill Indian School’s sign disappeared, one organization is trying to restore it and return it back to the empty campus.
By Sarah Liese, KOSU
At the entrance of the Fort Sill Indian School stood a stone arch that read “U.S. Indian Service; Kiowa Indian Hospital Ft. Sill Indian School.”
The sign stood tall for more than twenty years but disappeared after a large truck hit it in 1958, according to an article shared by the KCA (Kiowa, Comanche and Apache) Interibal Land Use Committee.
Yolanda Ramos is the Executive Director of that committee. She said she found out about the sign from an employee when she started her new role a year ago and knew she had to take action.
After clearing out a path, a bulldozer retrieved the sign from the creek inch-by-inch— a risky maneuver that many told Ramos could break the sign. But she went forward anyway, hoping to regain a memorable part of her community's history.
“It’s been a huge significance in their lives,” Ramos said about Fort Sill Indian School. “Some of it good, some of it bad. But it is still all a part of our history and the history of our relatives and ancestors.”
The boarding school opened in 1871 and aimed to “Americanize” Indigenous students in southwest Oklahoma. Later, it expanded its reach, welcoming students from out-of-state.
The school’s curriculum originally varied depending on the student’s gender. Young boys received agricultural and vocational training, while young girls were taught homemaking skills.
As Ramos noted, former students have expressed differing opinions about their memories of Fort Sill Indian School. But Ramos said preserving the sign is a way of honoring those students, their families and their experiences.
The sign is currently being cleaned and will be returned to the abandoned school site in the coming weeks. Ramos said she hopes to continue restoring the campus.
Comanche Nation Casino Recognized at Community Choice Awards
Comanche Nation Casino has been recognized as the No. 1 Casino in the state at the Oklahoman’s annual Community Choice Awards. The popular awards program recognizes destinations throughout Oklahoma that provide exceptional service and experiences to the community and their guests.
Award finalists were invited to an exclusive awards gala at the Embassy Suites in Oklahoma City. In attendance to accept the award on behalf of Comanche Nation Casino was General Manager Shandi Tahhahwah and Marketing Manager Megan Norberto.
“We are incredibly honored to have received this recognition from our community,” said Tahhahwah. “We are grateful for our team members' hard work to give all our guests a fun and exciting experience, including our newest addition of Blackjack tables. This recognition reflects our dedicated family, friends and fans and their continued support.”
Comanche Nation Casino, one of six Comanche Nation Entertainment properties, is located in Lawton and features over 800 games, including its newest addition of Blackjack tables.
The casino and its team members also spearhead a community giving initiative known as the Comanche Cares Foundation. Through the initiative, team members organize charitable events year-round, with drives for school supplies, food and toys. Regularly donating to local organizations throughout the community, Comanche Cares serves youth, students, hospitals and local community members, to name a few.
To see Comanche Nation Casino’s recognition in the Community Choice Awards, visit https://oklahoman.gannettcontests.com/2024-Oklahoman-Communitys-Choice-Awards-Winners/gallery/452023540. To learn more about Comanche Nation Entertainment, visit https://comanchenationentertainment.com.
ABOUT COMANCHE NATION ENTERTAINMENT
Comanche Nation Entertainment operates Comanche Nation Casino in Lawton, Comanche Red River Hotel Casino in Devol, Comanche Spur Casino in Elgin, Comanche Star Casino in Walters, Comanche War Pony Casino in Devol and Comanche Cache Casino in Cache. Its Comanche Travel Plazas, Smoke Shops and Quick Stops are located throughout Southwest Oklahoma.
True to its tribal heritage, Comanche Nation Entertainment is committed to family. It treats its team members like family and supports vital community services in the towns where it operates. Its mission at all of its properties is to provide a fun and exciting experience for guests, a safe and rewarding environment for team members and prosperity for the Comanche Nation.
For more information on Comanche Nation Entertainment properties, visit www.comanchenationentertainment.com or follow the company on Facebook.
Choctaw Landing announces free August entertainment lineup
Todd Freeman, Southeast Remedy and more
HOCHATOWN, Okla. - Head to Choctaw Landing this month to enjoy free live music at Cypress Lawn!
The amphitheater on Cypress Lawn is the perfect spot for family fun, just steps away from a small playground, two food containers and a self-serve beer wall.
All performances will be held from 8:30-11:30 p.m. Check out this month’s events lineup below.
August 16: Todd Freeman
August 17: Cultural booth selling beadwork from 2-6 p.m.
UFC 305 PPV at Center Bar from 5-11 p.m.
August 23: Foresight Productions (DJ)
August 24: Southeast Remedy
August 30: The Standalones
August 31: Chace Rains
To see all events happening at Choctaw Landing, click here.
About Choctaw Landing
Choctaw Landing reflects the natural beauty of Hochatown and is a 100-room resort with meeting rooms, a restaurant, a pool with nine cabanas, and a casino with 600 slot machines and eight table games. The resort also has an outdoor recreation venue with an amphitheater, beer garden and food offerings. Additionally, a mercantile with gifts, groceries, deli, Starbucks, and a 24-pump fuel island is attached to the resort.
