Just read the Osagenews this Thursday AM. I am on the fence, why would Congress not support the continued fight against the Wind Farms? I here more excuses as to why we should as opposed to the opposite? Yes this land is in trust, but to not to do something in the mean time is pure insane. This does not protect tne interest of the Osage M.E. This is a boondoggle on the economy with no real benefit but a tax and a threat, a huge threat to the growth of the M.E. This on a magnitude is a huge failure on Congress's part....ok here's what needs to happen I wouldn't revisit this with Congress as much as maybe a Executive Memorandum needs to happen. I get the fact that we are Sovereign lets act like it and do the diligence that is expected. This is jot a game. This is more important and should take precedent. Can't see the forest for the trees. The domino effect with no action is exactly what is going to happen will affect the Shareholder's. This is a prediction and another suit waiting to happen and will happen. You guys need to pull the thumb out of wnere the sun shines. One pissed off Shareholder. One thing to remember this Gov was formulated by one phone call and this De facto Government wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the M.E.
If Jim Gray hadn't lost the reservation designation we would be OK. Probably none of this would be going on. Dangerous to get back into court and dangerous not to. I don't understand why dominant estate property issues with the retention of the Mineral Rights to the Tribe and the laws of the State of OK don't apply here but probably need to get back into court to get this reestablishe
Of PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE: If you receive a tax credit for your health insurance in Colorado as a Native American, YOU MUST GO BACK TO THE CONNECT FOR COLORADO EXCHANGE TO PURCHASE INSURANCE FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR. You cannot rollover your current healthcare insurance with your current healthcare insurance provider. If you do, you will lose your tax credit. This may also be true with the Federal Exchange if you live in another State than Colorado if you have no State Healthcare Exchange in your area:
From an e-mail sent to me by Kaiser Permanente:
Understanding federal financial assistance
The health care reform law makes federal financial assistance available to people to help pay for care and coverage, such as monthly premiums and out-of-pocket expenses (deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance). This assistance is only available if you renew coverage through Connect for Health Colorado. Last year, you may not have signed up for federal financial assistance. And even if you did, Connect for Health Colorado may not have all the information they need to automatically renew your coverage. Check with Connect for Health Colorado before open enrollment begins on November 15, 2014, to update your income information.
In Colorado, for more information call: 1-855-752-6747. If you have a State sponsored Healthcare Exchange in your location, it would be an excellent idea to call them for more information about this matter in your local area. The Connect for Colorado web site is open for next years enrollment on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2014.
You're welcome. Those who qualify for a tax credit may not fully understand the implications here and to not go back to the Colorado Health Exchange will mean for Colorado residents who qualify that they will lose their tax credit in 2015. Not a good situation.
Looks like oil wil be droping possibly to $75 dollars a barrel which will undoubtedly have a cause and effect for everyone involved. This means, there won't be any wild cat drilling because their profit margin is zilch. The PPB in order for them to make a profit needs to be at $ 85. Price for meat are only going to go hire. I hope you all saved some of your money from the Cobell suit. Next year is goi g to be a rough one.
On spending, this has to be seen to be believed: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid3121935425001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAC1fL-t4k~,J1A-YDgiJT7z5oOtvyHTr8EWwClKBtlk&bctid=3878083429001 Did I hear these members of Congress give every reason under the sun to vote no on the $300,000 appropriation for that damn grocery store and then vote yes to give it the money? Listen to Supernaw and see if what he said makes any sense at all relative to the way he voted. This is plumb crazy to me.
FYI: A TOTAL WOW! I just got off the phone with Delta Dental and the agent I spoke with had no idea that you have to re-up and buy a new plan this year through your local State exchange, if applicable or the Federal healthcare exchange in order to qualify for your 2015 tax credits, if you quality, for both medical and dental insurance. For most people (non-Indian), you have an enrollment period ending on December 14, 2014 to buy these policies. For Native Americans, we have an open enrollment period at any time of the year.
5 man board claims tribe lacks power to prosecute --->>> http://barnsdalltimes.com/http:/barnsdalltimes.com/news/5-man-board-claims-tribe-lacks-power-to-prosecute Justice in Osage Courts is ludicrously slow.
Oh thats just hilarious. Band them from the Tribe. They stole and they admitted to it. They can not be trusted just like the old Chief. How embarrassing.
On another front, this is exactly what happens when the Osage Nation government has, up until now, abandoned its responsibility to oversee and hold accountable the gaming operations: "UPDATE: Two Osage Casino executives have voluntarily surrendered their gaming licenses to the Osage Nation Gaming Commission..." Read more at https://www.facebook.com/OsageNews?ref=stream&fref=nf For the umpteenth time, we warned them and they ignored us.
http://osagenews.org/en/article/2014/11/17/wind-turbines-go-nation-vows-keep-fighting/...don't we have the bird the Grouse on our land? Soon to be on the endangered list. Thought I would throw that out there. Every bit of infor is much needed. Yep, tried to tell people this is a scam of a sham just like Obama Care, don't get me wrong...alternative energy is not a source of great energy other than the only energy is coming from the tax payers pockets. Another ponzi scheme. And just like Keystone, will the U.S benefit? And not mention your property value is gone. No one wants these turbines in there back yard. The greater will, will prevail.
Wonderful NEWS! The Federal government has struck back with an injunction filed in court to stop the activities of the wind farm currently being built in Osage County. Send your email address to Osage Pre-Election News at osage_election_news@comcast.net and we will send you a copy of this Injunction.
For all you Kennedy Assassination Conspiracy theorists, after 50 years, the Warren Commission Report and the 26 Volumes of the Committee Hearings are all digitized and online. http://www.gpo.gov/newsroom-media/presspage/14presspage21 http://www.gpo.gov/featured/WarrenCommission.htm
Somehow those dang landowners jumped the gun and told em they could go forward with this foolly. Landowners should probably be sued by that ENEL bunch for getting them into this mess and not fully disclosing the history of 1906 Act and how many previous legal challenges there have been over the past hundred years to get at those mineral rights in one way or another. Full disclosure is important on a business deal like this one and blind greed driven agreements won't get those landowners anywhere but in court where they belong for all this disruption to the Mineral Estate. Been waiting to get those mineral rights some of em for decades. Stupid.
If the shareholders were the owners of the mineral rights, why didn't the original allottees get a quit claim deed from the then Secretary of the Interior or on his behalf by the Chief at the time for each parcel of land they owned in order to repatriate the mineral rights to the surface land at the end of the first 25 years per the 1906 Allotment Act? Why? Because it never happened and through several extensions per U.S. Congressional Amendments to the 1906 Act signed into law by the President, the Osage Tribe retains them in ownership. When the new government took over, the mineral rights ownership transferred to the Osage Nation, hence the Osage Nation is the legal owner per the 1938 Act to amend the 1906 Act. Just because you want something a certain way doesn't make it true or the prevailing legal reality.
The mineral rights are owned by the U.S. in trust for the shareholders. The use of the name Osage Nation by the 2006 government does in no way imply ownership of any mineral property.
The great thing about this blog is that it outs the fact that few if any of you posting here with actual mineral trust beneficiary personal property assets coming to you in a quarterly headright check really understand the legal mechanics how a Trust actually works. Initially there has to be an owner with assets to be "taken into trust" or "put or placed in trust." When the Osages purchased the reservation in 1883, the U.S. Government took that real estate land asset and placed it into trust by use of a Trustees Deed which is exactly what the Cherokee Deed for the purchase of the reservation is yesterday, today and tomorrow or until the Federal government decides to terminate the Federal Trust and pull the mineral rights still tied to the Cherokee Trustee's Deed out of the current Trust and issue a general warrantee deed or some other kind of U.S. Government property conveyance whatever that might be, and transfer the ownership back to the Osage Tribe/Osage Nation per the terms and conditions of the 1938 Act and the 1978 Act of the U.S. Congress to amend the Act of June 24,1938 (52 Stat. 1034, 1035). Act of June 24,1938 (52 Stat. 1034, 1035): "That all that part of the Act of June 28, 1906 (34 Stat. L. 539), entitled 'An Act for the division of the lands and funds of the Osage Indians in Oklahoma, and for other purposes', which reserves to the Osage Tribe the oil, gas, coal, or other minerals, covered by the lands for the selection and division of which provision is made in that Act is hereby amended so that the oil, gas, coal, or other minerals, covered by said lands are reserved to the Osage Tribe...and all royalties and bonuses arising therefrom shall belong to the Osage Tribe of Indians..." 1978 Act of October 21, 1978 c) The fourth paragraph of section 3 of the Act of June 24, 1938 (52 Stat. 1034, 1036) is amended by striking the phrase " January 1, 1984" and inserting, in lieu thereof, the phrase " January 1, 1984 and thereafter until otherwise provided by Congress". RE: The section of the 1938 Act that has been amended by the 1978 Act giving the Federal government the ability to unilaterally opt out of continuing forward with the Mineral Estate Trust and the Trust relationship with the Osages that it is currently bound by today: "That all that part of the Act of June 28, 1906 (34 Stat. L. 539), entitled 'An Act for the division of the lands and funds of the Osage Indians in Oklahoma, and for other purposes', which reserves to the Osage Tribe the oil, gas, coal, or other minerals, covered by the lands for the selection and division of which provision is made in that Act is hereby amended so that the oil, gas, coal, or other minerals, covered by said lands are reserved to the Osage Tribe, until the 8th day of April, 1983, unless otherwise provided by Act of Congress..." The last part of this sentence now reads, "January 1, 1984 and thereafter until otherwise provided by Congress." Clearly, An Act of the U.S. Congress is no longer required by law for the Federal government to walk away from the current Mineral Estate Trust. Having a trustees deed in place by the Federal government does not indicate ownership but rather, in this case, management and administration by the Feds which is exactly what has been going on for the last 108 years.
I must make a correction to my earlier post which text actually refers to the mineral rights that are now reserved in perpetuity: "The lands, moneys, and other properties now or hereafter held in trust or under the supervision of the United States for the Osage Tribe of Indians, the members thereof, or their heirs and assigns, shall continue subject to such trusts and supervision until January 1, 1984, unless otherwise provided by Act of Congress." This paragraph has been amended to read, "January 1, 1984 and thereafter until otherwise provided by Congress." The paragraph in the 1978 Act that amended the 1938 Act amendment of the mineral rights length of ownership is as follows: SEC. 2. (a) The first paragraph of section 3 of the Act of June 24, 1938 (52 Stat. 1034, 1035), as amended, extending the mineral estate reserved to the Osage Tribe by the Act of June 26, 1906 (34 Stat. 539), is further amended by striking the phrase "until the eighth day of April 1983, and thereafter until otherwise provided by Act of Congress" and substituting, in lieu thereof, the phrase "in perpetuity".
I'm confused. What paragraph is it again that refers to the Federal Mineral Estate Trust that has been amended that no longer requires an Act of Congress to change or amend over again in the future?
As a result of the 1978 Act Amendment, the change made now reads as follows in the second paragraph of section 3 of the Act of June 24, 1938 (52 Stat. 1034, 1035), as amended: "The lands, moneys, and other properties now or hereafter held in trust or under the supervision of the United States for the Osage Tribe of Indians, the members thereof, or their heirs and assigns, shall continue subject to such trusts and supervision until January 1, 1984, unless otherwise provided by Congress."
The Shareholder's are the Owners in the first or beneficiaries of Royalties however, not The Nation as proven many times by lititgation and there of the Mineral Trust is managed by the Federal Government as ameneded by the 1906 Act. And you are mistaken in that clearly as instructed otherwise compares to in perpetuity by just not on paper but by a stand alone on it's own merit as interpreted by and as witnessed of 108 years. No arguement what the intended purpose of the1906 Act is and still is and forever will be unless instructed by the legal owners to Congess which are the beneficiaries of the trust held by the Fed. Gov. Sure, anyone understanding what "Property Conveyance "means understands under normal circumstances this could happen, but we are unique how the 1906 Act protects this from Happening as interpreted by the Courts for 108 years.
BTW: The income generated by mineral rights has been taken into trust and placed in the Federal Treasury trust account by the U.S. for the shareholders. The mineral rights have been in trust tied to the Cherokee Trustees deed for the purchase of the Osage reservation since 1883. The 1906 Act and its various amendments have specified that the mineral rights are reserved to the Osage Tribe, not the individual original allottees or whoever may have a headright or headright share today. This is a key fact because the mineral rights ownership must be secure in the Osage Tribe/Osage Nation or there won't be any income from them to be taken into trust and placed in the trust account for the current Headright owners.
Wow! December 8, 2014 at 11:51 AM, are you making this up as you go along or what? It's truly in your best interest to read the 1906 Allotment Act and every single standing amendment that has changed its initial terms, conditions and provisions. Most of the original document has been changed by the various subsequent amending Acts of the U.S. Congress and it now looks like an empty shell or a tree without branches. Requests have been made of the Mineral Council over the years to reconstruct all of the terms, conditions and provisions so that the document can be read by the headright owners and all Osage members as it stands today but that much work is too daunting for them. They should be required to do this by the Osage Nation's law that has required codification of the laws that pertain to the Osage Nation since the Minerals Council is part of the Osage Nation government and the 1906 Act as amended has been included and made a part of the Osage Constitution ratified in 2006 but I guess they feel that they are above the law or they don't want you to know the truth of the matter. Another key point is that it has been this way since June 24, 1938 and October 21, 1978. Read these amending documents along with the original 1906 Allotment Act and you will be able to follow the changes in the law that have been made over the last century. The courts have supported and upheld the 1906 Act as amended against a number of legal challenges. Cite the case if you believe this to be untrue.
ENEL is making fair use of surface rights. For there to be an infringement of the mineral estate "mining" would need to occur, which entails the removal of 5,000 cubic yards of minerals from a single tract of land within a period of one year. A "single tract" does not include the entire land body of Osage County. On average, ENEL is digging up less than 750 cubic yards per wind turbine and some portion of that is being replaced into the pits as back-fill, further reducing the amount of "minerals" removed.
750 cubic yards x 175 wind turbines in total? 131,250 total cubic yards of mineral limestone excavation? Sounds like mining of minerals to me. Where are you getting this fair use of surface rights law? In the State of Oklahoma? If so, this situation involves Federal law involving a Federal Mineral Estate Trust of a domestic dependent Native American Tribe or Nation. I don't believe this fair use fantasy you're speaking of applies on Federally owned and held lands or where it concerns real or personal property including rights of Native American Tribes or Nations or for that matter, of individual Tribal peoples held in trust by the U.S. government. Federal law always trumps State or Tribal law. End of story. Nice try but no cigar from the Cigar Store Indian you're trying so hard to take advantage of in Osage County, thank you very much!!!!!!!!
"A trustee is considered a fiduciary and owes the highest duty under the law to protect trust assets from unreasonable loss for the trust's beneficiaries." 131,250 total cubic yards of minerals used, moved or replaced? Come on! This isn't some slight of hand here. This is a lot of mineral content being excavated and utilized for the benefit of a publicly owned company of the government of Italy. The Secretary of the Interior of the United States who is the Trustee of the Osage Mineral Estate Trust has to act on behalf of the Osages per her fiduciary duty.
I want to put in a solid plug for the Osage Nation Christmas Ornaments. Just received some of them and they are indeed spectacular! See http://www.osagefoundation.org/store/ Perfect stocking stuffers for sure. Your ornaments purchase benefits the Osage Nation Foundation so it's all good.
Want to find out more on what is going on? Come to Shareholders Association Sunday Dec 7 at Dave Landrum Community Center......1:00 Potludck Ham will be furnished...
Or the scholarship deadline on the 15th of December either: http://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/news-events/events/osage-nation-education-scholarship-deadline-quarterly-session
The Oaage Shareholders meeting on Dec 7 was very good. Cynthia, Susan, Kugee and our Chief gave us much information on " What is Going on" and the Ham dinner was good...next meeting will be in March. If you would like to join membership dues are $25 a year and Associates dues are $10. Great way to meet other Shareholders and get info on what is going on! Send dues to Box 418, Pawhuska, ok 74056
There has never been so much money flowing in Osage County from the coffers of the ON Treasury and yet look at the cases of child support for 2013!!!!! This is a travesty and where is the money going and what is it being spend on that Osage children have to go without until the negligent parent is hauled into Tribal court? http://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/who-we-are/government/judicial-branch/trial-court/case-information/2013-case-information
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you Lisa and all of you out there as well! Had the best Christmas yet and we're knucking down and getting ready for the challenges the New Year is sure to bring to all of us. Stay sharp folks and keep an eye on the Osage situation, we're undoubtedly going to need it this year. God Bless!
So funny! Political Patronage sure is alive and well in the Osage --->>> 10 people to watch in 2015: Ryan Red Corn? Yeah right. What are we supposed to watch? How quickly he helps drain the coffers of the the Osage Nation Treasury against the financial interest of the Osage people? http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/local/people-to-watch-in-ryan-red-corn/article_83571457-01b2-5f95-ad1d-a51086c083fa.html It begs the question; where would Ry Ry have been without "Big Bucks Osage Daddy" Ray Ray during the years he was in the Osage Congress and now, as Ass.P. Chief? He's got another son in there crawling all over one or more Osage building projects now and who knows how much the price tags will be before the dust finally settles after they are delivered. Jon Jon's article is here --->>> http://osagenews.org/en/article/2014/12/09/master-plan-pawhuska-indian-village-works/ and both brothers are on the Committee to build the new Pawhuska arbor --->>> http://www.osagenews.org/en/article/2014/08/18/pawhuska-committee-unveils-proposed-dance-arbor/
As far as the Chief and the Ass. P. Chief, doesn't this constitute gross fiscal malfeasance in the misuse of public funds while elected to office? That damned grocery store in Fairfax again and another $300,000 of the Osage Nation peoples money right down the drain once more after how many millions of our money have been spent on it already? $3-4 million over the past ten or twenty years? --->>> http://osagenews.org/en/article/2014/12/23/chief-standing-bear-signs-lease-fairfax-grocery-store/
I believe according to a hypocritical statement made by Shannon Edwards while in Congressional Session, $21 million has either gone or been pledged to the Fairfax area since the new government took over. She questioned this overall spending in session at the time and then turned right around and voted for the particular spending measure up for a vote which was the $300,000 for the grocery store as did most, if not all, of the rest of them in that spendthrift Osage Congress. How is it exactly that 389 total members of the Osage Nation who live in Fairfax rank this much of a chunk of spending when the rest of the 18,000 members do not? Gross spending favoritism here folks and no end in sight.
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha! Political Patronage is right. http://osagenews.org/en/article/2014/12/31/byron-bighorse-hired-osage-casinos-ceo/ I give it six months to a year from today before this appointment of the Chief's son-in-law has those casinos running to total financial bedlam. Greed driven leadership at the top always leads to disaster.
Special Session of Congress to start on January 14th --->>> http://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/news-events/news/4th-osage-nation-congress-called-6th-special-session
They said we'd get into trouble with a Percap but where is the Osage Nation money really going? Guns and weed? Yes! 3.3lbs of weed, guns! http://barnsdalltimes.com/http:/barnsdalltimes.com/news/3-3lbs-of-weed-guns
I care that our money is ending up in the pockets of such as the likes of the guy arrested in the article. Who pays $250 to get out of jail? What do they think this is? A game of Monopoly? Pass Go and pay your $200 bucks to get out of jail practically scott free? Rank amateurs!!!!!
Sorry, but I see your point...as in so many cases as what happened to the five man board case? I just think we have bigger fish to go after...herb isn't a issue as much as whats really going on in the drug market...meth..and the Asian Market...and Indian Territory is the ripe environment as in other areas of the country. I should have explained better.
Osage Book Club's next meeting flyer is located at https://www.facebook.com/OsageNews/photos/a.153834188010750.33094.134873493240153/834483283279167/?type=1
Wow here's another instance of just good ole fashion ignorance, all in the family right Joe Don. Where did you hide the rest of the funds that are not accounted for? Their excuse would have and maybe would have been accepted back in the Seventies but we are in the 21st Century and they dont have a pot to count on if you no what I mean. Shame on all of you band them from the Rez..take their membership and use them as an example what not to do and set the precedent. GOOD ARTICLE BY OSAGE NEWS... http://osagenews.org/en/article/2015/01/15/former-pawhuska-five-man-board-members-appealing-cases-supreme-court/
Oh boy the plot thickens. ..keep it all in the family and the appearance of croynism is alive and well I see. You can use any Lawyer still doesn't change the fact that the five man board stole from their own people...and on top of that see no problem is narcissistic. Let it go to trial....let them get their just deserts.
Another thing here is that the Osage News is again asleep at the wheel. We have the Mineral Estate blowing up in our faces as we speak and Christmas is still up there on the web site. Christmas is over and we would like some hard news with real reportage coming from a news source that gets thousands upon thousands of the People's money. It should pay for more than one or two "soft" articles a week. Get these government officials, ONES Board Members and Minerals Council members interviewed as to what the plan is going forward and get it in the paper and online. I mean WTH!
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/3j6ehyx2ucoog09/2014-0102_ConstSer_CareQualityQuestionaire-comb.pdf Help make our employes better by sending in your feedback.
Healthcare exemption for Native Americans information --->>> http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2014/01/17/tribal-citizens-not-exempt-default-fill-out-form-avoid-tax-liability-153154
If you don't have a State-run or sponsored Healthcare Marketplace or Exchange, this could become a very serious matter indeed. From CNN: "The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that individuals cannot use tax credits or subsidies to buy health insurance on federally-run Obamacare exchanges. The divided three-judge panel said those cost-sharing subsidies can only be used through state-run health exchanges."
Has anyone read the latest on the five man board in the Osage News? I say Hog Wash! What might you say...? My this is corruption at it's finest..looking for loop holes will not solve your problem of being a liar and thief...prosecute them as should be.
You would have thought after the theft of the furniture there would have been tighter internal financial controL concerning where the Grants are concerned and I thought better of the Nation was smarter than this....Cost Control is so paramount, what isr the responsibilities of our controller? Is she merely a bookkeeper? In the private sector She would be fired period...bottom line she is the operations of the entire office...she is to maintain all records to mitigate any risk...this is unacceptable Chief...there is no excuse...this is what happens when you hire people you know without great understanding of the position they hold. Called cronyism. You can also train someone but if they do not have experience in real life how are they to instruct? This is our money squandered. We not a mom and pop Government and its beginning to rear its colors...8 years into this new GOVERNMENT and what have you done to stop the spending and start that per-cap CHIEF to the Vote of the Osage Constituency...get it on the ballot. We know how a real Government works..don't expect your constituency believe everything you say...this comes of no surprise...was hoping this would not happen read this http://osagenews.org/en/article/2015/02/11/justice-department-audit-says-nation-owes-more-half-million/
If you look into the audit report on social welfare spending you'll find the Osage Nation is spending far more than permitted by Federal statutes and regulations for a tribally administered program. The state is supposed to run the program when a tribe cannot meet the minimum established levels of efficiency. Were the state to take over then the tribal members would receive more in direct benefits.
Glad to see the Osage News doing a hard news article. I guess they have to have one a year to get the awards they get from thatt NAJA where the Osage News editor is on the board http://www.naja.com/news/m.blog/509/three-naja-members-win-full-board-terms-after-2014-elections-in-santa-clara-california
A lecture and exhibit about Osage Weddings at https://www.facebook.com/OsageNews/photos/a.153834188010750.33094.134873493240153/856552894405539/?type=1&theater
How many times has this gone unreported before the perp got caught on video? http://barnsdalltimes.com/http:/barnsdalltimes.com/news/counselor-faces-charge
Where's our People's Fund? A friend of Jim Gray I'm told. It figures with a brother like Louis. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/29/us/in-north-dakota-where-oil-corruption-and-bodies-surface.html?_r=0
It figures. Tribal official associating with a white guy willing to "go the extra mile". Both getting rich quick. A common pattern and you can make a safe bet the tribe's being robbed blind. Always follow the money to find the crooks.
The representations made by Mr. Parris in the January 13, 2015 article in the Osage News related to operations of Osage, LLC are filled with half-truths, disinformation, and omission of key facts.
Both Echota and AVS both continue to exist. In the case of Echota, dissolution would be the proper step to mitigate risk and protect what remains of the tribes investment in Osage, LLC. Were the Enterprise Board members sufficiently knowledgeable of how to maintain arms-length operation of the various business entities then there would be no risk. Unfortunately, they are not.
As to the three remaining businesses, two are nothing but shams which are used to generate business for unrelated third parties and Osage Innovative Solutions is a "technology" with neither expertise nor past performance in the technology sector.
Osage Manhattan Builders is a joint venture where the only value that Osage, LLC brings to the mix is the Osage name. All contracts are actually performed by Manhattan Builders, which is a division of Manhattan Construction Company. This "joint venture" has no Osage, LLC employees engaged in the operation of the company, and the Enterprise Board has no control over how Manhattan Construction Company operations its internal division Manhattan Builders. Every presentation by Osage, LLC to the Commerce and Economic Development Committee which has represented Osage Manhattan Builders to have employees has been a false statement of fact.
Osage Pinnacle Design Group is nothing but a front company to get business for Pinnacle Design Group, LLC - another unrelated company where Osage, LLC has no ownership interest or control over operations. OPDG's business practices related to bidding and performing on federal contracts violate federal laws and regulations. OPDG has one (1) employee, and represents Pinnacle Design Group's employees and past performance as OPDG's in order to win contracts for which the company is wholly unqualified to perform.
The Commerce and Economic Development Committee needs to perform a detailed review of the on-going operations of Osage, LLC. In particular, the teaming agreements, proposals and contracts need to be audited for compliance with federal, state and Osage Nation laws, and also for conformance with the operating agreements. You will find the agreements waive sovereign immunity where no authority to do so is granted and are otherwise unfavorable to the ultimate owner, the Osage Nation.
I make these recommendations as the tribe's interests need to be protected. In Osage, LLC's most recent presentation to the Commerce and Economic Development Committee, Dave Stewart recommended directly involving personnel of the Osage Nation Government in operation of the Osage, LLC entities. This would violate the principle of arms-length operations, void any protections against liability, and put the Osage Nation at risk of debarment or suspension in receiving federal contracts or grants due to the activities of Osage, LLC and its entities.
It sounds to me that there is a leak or better yet loophole in the system by via way of using not just the Osage but elsewhere in Indian Country I'm sure of it...under the quise and there of...being a Non-Profit...something I have brought up before is the Boards knowledgeable in the Operations? And maybe the Board is being used like a rubber stamp? One thing is for sure...look at Dish and how they with another small company have used this loophole..http://indianz.com/News/2015/016560.asp. You are right..surprised that no one else has responded to your post.
The article you've referenced indicates that Doyon owns 15 percent and a large business owns 85 percent of Northstar. Even with Doyon designated as the Manager of the entity, it would be a matter of fraud under 15 USC 645(d) to represent Northstar as small. Even if Doyon had majority ownership interest, the lack of telecommunications market experience makes Doyon the ostensible subcontractor, and under the Small Business Act it would be a large business due to affiliation.
Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless may have both qualified under FCC rules for small businesses, but these joint ventures would be treated as large businesses by the Small Business Administration. While Sen. McCaskill and Sen. Ayotte are looking to revise FCC rules, they should be pushing for DOJ to prosecute for violation of the Small Business Act. The FCC lacks authority to determine the size status of a business, as this is reserved to the Small Business Administration and is governed by Title 15 USC and 13 CFR Part 121.
Upon contract award, the small business would have to perform primary and vital elements of the contract and at least 51% of the value with its own employees to avoid violating other elements of the Small Business Act.
There isn't so much "a leak" in the system as commission of fraud which goes undetected due to false representations by the bidder and lack of diligence by the contracting officer. Once awarded, it is difficult to detect the fraud unless an insider reports the firm. More often than not, while the senior management of these "small businesses" are required (e.g., for the 8(a) BD and HUBZone programs) to receive training the other employees are clueless - even though contractually obligated to report such fraud.
The penalties for violating the Small Business Act are severe, and it is the management and owners of the small firms who suffer the consequences since they submit the bids and accept the contracts. The unscrupulous usually appoint a scapegoat to a key management position and then claim ignorance of the acts of this manager in order to avoid risk. Unfortunately, this person usually ends up taking the fall alone -- though sometimes the individual has enough documentary evidence to take others down too.
It is rare for large businesses to come courting the small disadvantaged firms. Far more often, it is the desperate small businesses with nothing to offer except 8(a) BD or HUBZone status (and that often achieved through fraud) who seek out the large businesses. The large business is often duped into a teaming relationship based on false claims of past performance and capabilities by the disadvantaged firm, so they escape unscathed when an investigation leads to charges and/or financial penalties.
If OPDG is caught for making false statements in order to procure federal contracts,or for violating the Small Business Act after award, and the Osage Nation Government staff are directly involved (as recommended by Mr. Stewart) in its management and operations, then the Osage Nation could also be debarred and suspended form receiving federal awards.
People get sentenced to prison every year for violating these laws, yet the desperate and greedy continue to violate the laws because they see others who manage to get away with it.
Well, howdy duty....like we did not see this coming. Duh...lmao...not! Is corruption on our coat tails? To the Osage Nation you were warned years ago. By several agencies and or by the Constituency. This is what happens when you hire a Board with no experience who do not understand Policy,or Procedures, thats sounds about right. When you hire a Board Member maybe you ought to think about why it is important not to hire that person, as opposed to hiring incompetent people and not your friend or realative. Training is a must..I don't care if you sat on many Boards..set a standard if you want to earn that check you must take a course in Business Management and E-CON 101. From time to time..knowledge is power. As I've said before Numbers are telling and numbers do not Lie !!!! Ultimately the Original Board is responsible. They hired Leese. And the Investigation should begin with the Board. Who referred Leese?..were there any limitations, methods, internal and external? Rigorous control on compliance is to be disclosed at all time when the Board calls for, ah, by the way it appears is this Board just took leeses word..and the diligence ,gone the green backs. The Millions...where was the criteria? Reporting is so paramount to the very foundation of this Company the LLc. Though I am grateful the Chief is looking into this matter, and thank you Osage News for the Update and glad to see this reported first from our Nation and the Source not going else where but first reported to the Osage News...we as a People wish to hear it from our News.
Why hasn't the Osage News gotten its hands on the audit document and published it to the membership? We have a right to see it and a right to know what it reveals. Rauk Friend had a web site back eight years or more ago that had posts that warned about that Carol Leese fellow right about the time he was hired by the Osage LLC and it was also referred to on the OSA Blog that Kent Radcliff ran back then. The entire first Congress of the Osage Nation knew about this Leese character and still, they went ahead and hired him despite the information that was put out there in the public domain about his previous business relationship in Indian Country as the head of a business entity of the Potawatomi. All of the Osage government officials were reading the OSA Blog back then so there's no excuse. Harvard connection again here too. It's likely that the ones who will fear this audit getting out to the Osage people the most will be iPad Ray and Shannon Edwards.
Thank you...this is what we need people to relize this goes back, eight years ago...It's written alright and accountability.ia s long over due..miss the OSA blog site...miss quite a few people who used to blog for Fiscal Responsibility.
Great newa Article from Mr.Pratt on the Fletcher case. Get well Sir...Wow and the Story is always the same with the FEDERAL Government a day late and a dollar short and everything is a shot in the dark with them, wondering why the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT is posturing on this matter of Dollar and Sense? This is huge. 30% of our Headright money going to People or Entities that have no entitlement to such funds. Do the math and we are looking at Millions not dollars, millions in damages...This is a no-brainer. The facts as they lie can only be for the truth.
http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2015/03/19/carlisle-indian-school-descendants-sought-heritage-center-planning-159648 If your ancestors went to Carlisle, your input in needed.
Well!!!!!!! One more Chief SB close family member with a top gaming job. --->>> http://osagenews.org/en/article/2015/03/17/two-osages-hired-osage-casino-general-managers/
Watching closely and was wondering when the fire works was about t0 begin or more or less when the cat was let out of the hat...let the Games begin...just because you can does not mean you should because there may be a loophole in the Law...Chief you credibility metor is turned on.
Some days are a triumph and some days aren't. Today is a triumph for one of the Sponsors of the Osage Blog. Annette M. Gore is 99 years young today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNETTE!
WoW. With this Chief, when your out, you're out overnight. Not that it's a bad thing but whatever happened to the professional courtesy of two weeks notice? http://osagenews.org/en/article/2015/03/26/chief-standing-bear-appoints-holli-wells-replace-jeff-jones-ag/
What I want to know is who was it that prosecuted all these criminal cases? https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/who-we-are/government/judicial-branch/trial-court/case-information/2012-case-information https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/who-we-are/government/judicial-branch/trial-court/case-information/2013-case-information
Only if you're interested in the truth. You sound like you work for the Osage Congress who most of the time behave like they could care less and are the least interested of any of us.
And another wow. Here comes round two of trying to create Tallgrass Economic Development LLC. On the agenda for March 30.
The company papers look like the Osage LLC ones. The last public discussion of Tallgrass hinted at playing a shell game with Osage LLC assets in some kind of attempt to dodge one or more bullets from past bad management.
Anyway, if Tallgrass is run in the same way how will it be any better? No better controls? But then again, the Osage LLC board was never (and still isn't) held to the resolutions under which they were created. Tallgrass won't be either. Seems they appoint people who never read the resolutions or that don't get what they read if they do.
Another round of wasting the tribe's resources??? You tell me.
ONCR 15-08, A Resolution to authorize and adopt the Articles of Organization for the limited liability company, Tallgrass Economic Development, LLC, to be formed under the Osage Nation Limited Liability Companied Act. (Supernaw)
ONCR 15-09, A Resolution to adopt the Articles of Operation for the limited liability company, Tallgrass Economic Development, LLC, to be formed under the Osage Nation Limited Liability Companied Act. (Supernaw)
Good. Glad someone is paying attention to the upcoming Spring Session starting tomorrow morning with new spending bills for money they don't even have. The powers that be running this government are wanting to build hotels on some of the other casino properties and who knows what the financing will look like. Undoubtedly with terms and conditions that are unfavorable with a hefty line of credit available to help them get into trouble like the new campus with ugly buildings no one but the egomaniacs running this government even want. The two hotels at Ponca City and Skiatook are eating them alive just like some of us warned them they would do but they never listen and are so ego-diminished by other Tribes and what they've got, also eating them alive too but never mind that, they are rabid to build hotels at a cost they can't afford with financing that they won't be able to pay for that will eat them under the table and destroy all sources of revenue until the bank takes over like it has in the past with other Tribes. They're already playing a shell game with at both casinos at Ponca and Skiatook, moving money around on the balance sheets to make it look like they are doing better than they really are. Congress is too ignorant, lazy or shiftless to even bother to look closely into the matter or even care and soon it will be the Osage LLC all over again. You can't sell either the TED LLC or the Osage LLC here. Good money after bad and the that Super Board is already going to have the same inept flunkees and inferior appointments to this one who can easily be controlled by the Chief chewing up more of our money unnecessarily. We were told and sold the lie that there would be aces on this board not dullards who never look at anything too closely, never challenge what the organization is doing and are never responsible or accountable for anything. These Super Board appointees need to be required at their own personal expense to pay for a bond into the millions of dollars each before they are appointed and confirmed by the Osage Congress to make sure we get our money back if they fail to protect our money to one degree or another like every other member of these money glutinous enterprise boards have done in the past. I think all of them need to be required to be personally bonded by Osage Nation law from today forward. Let's see how fast they scatter off these boards if this is one of the requirements to qualify to be placed on or to remain on any and all of our enterprise boards and commissions.
Congress before you make any decision, these are business decisions when spending comes to mind so should you have the interest of the greater collective The Osage, the constituency, and do the diligence that is required. We ne e d to ask ourselves why another NON-PROFIT? What will be the Net income and who benefits and so forth, internal and external controls, risks and so forth...but non the less take what is happening with the industry and know this will reflect on our numbers at the Casino's. ..time to cut the umbilical cord on spending...
The Osage Congressional Session Tracker for legislation introduced so far is located at https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/content_link/WTM2KyyqJvT2fmVuXsxzQU1Slkz1QZgcHmpQAObubTF6zBa2wHOcGTDax0Z7HInS?dl=1
OOOO... Good idea to have OFPR come in on a spot basis to look at construction project spending but in a very defensive way, Shannon Edwards leapt right in with a motion to initiate another committee to oversee suggestions to the Congress where OFPR and Congressional oversight are concerned. More like a committee to get in the way and derail it. Why are you always so afraid of anyone looking in on spending where the OFPR and other audits are concerned Shannon? What have you got to hide? Did you catch the Chief's speech yesterday where he pandered to all Osage Nation members and then went right back to talk about programs and spending that again benefits only in-Osage County members and other non-Osages. All Tribal funding spent should be appropriated for and spent on Osages Only and Osages all over the country included. Nineteen Million dollars -- $19,000,000 -- from Federal programs is being spent on in-Osage County Osages and they see enough money spent on them that benefits them without additional appropriations and more Tribal spending on them alone. This is not fair and it is wrong and must be changed as soon as possible. We are being cheated out of our rightful benefits and representation under the Constitution. The AG should look into this and complaints should be made for unethical behavior as it concerns spending bias on the part of our apparent segregational Osage Congress.
OFPR is supposed to be like the Government Accountability Office of the U.S. Congress and they have broad powers to go in and look at what the Federal government is doing whenever they want. You place restraints, you hogtie the Osage Congress's ability to stop the same spending abuses that went on when the two Casinos were being constructed for $30 million more than they should have been.
Dually do I agree at the Chiefs speech yesterday, and did he insult my intelligence yesterday, yes Chief you have Osage Sister and Brothers that live outside Osage Co. who voted for you Sir...and mind you Sir only 15% and even if that live in Osage Co...that breaks down to what 2800 compared to the greater majority 19000....give or take. I find it unethical to have pandered to someone in Congress ( Shannon Edwards ) Friends, the America for Scholarships Services when we could train and handle this program at a cheeper cost to the Constituency, not saying this company not capable. If any of you read any of their short dissertation would understand what I am talking about...Sir you may speak over those who are front and center but I here you loud and clearly..Now what was the Financial Revenue increase for 2013 from the Casino's? What was the percentage 1.9% What I am saying is your economy back home is flat lining and revenue will drop in tbe Casino's, just a Domino Effect. 19000000, from Federal Grants to support 2800 Osages..So your speech did not impress as much as your Ego did...
The GAO can go anywhere in the U.S. government that the Congress appropriates money including any branch of government. Why hasn't the OFPR been missioned by law to do the same already and separation of powers here in the Osage government just won't cut it. I checked with a member of Congress in Pawhuska and he said that Shannon was not defensive and was trying to create a committee that will do good. Why they need a task force committee rather than an amendment to the law that created the OFPR is still unclear to me.
I listened too. I thought the OFPR could go anywhere in the Executive Branch and that's what it was created for, otherwise, why would Jim Gray have thrown everything legal he had at it to stop its existence when he was Chief?
Congress as I said before needs to close the door on the Loopholes Lawywers use...or just right as equally create legislation that would prevent..do the diligence required by law and the Oath you were sworn by. Is that so hard to do and that goes for the same for the OFPR as well..Redundancies cost.
This matching grant from Tribal funds is precisely what I'm talking about: ONCA 15-50, An Act to establish the Osage Nation Matching Grant Fund; to authorize and appropriate five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) to the fund; and to provide an alternate effective date. (Pratt) This is exactly why we don't have a per-cap because of the way they move our money around and figure out ways to come up with legislation to squirrel it away from those of us who really need it. Meanwhile, who is it getting tanked and high on our money?
Cut the merit 3% bonus "entitlement" for the employees who never answer the phone, never show up on time, and leave throughout the day at will rather than cut benefits for the Osage people. Buh to all of you on Congress who want to cut our Osage member benefits. Stop complaining about the new Osage Nation members / how dare you? / and stop hiring out of HR, Miss HR Masters Degree Buffalohead, those employees who do not even deserve to receive a paycheck from the Osage Nation!!!!!!!! BUH!!!!!!!!
How many damn property funds do they need with this crazy self-agenda-ed government? Capital Asset and Improvement Fund Create a real property purchase fund / another one? Osage Commercial Property Fund https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/sites/default/files/event-brochures/Commerce%20and%20Economic%20Development%20Meeting%20Revised%20Notice%204-8-15.pdf
Like the Chief said. The Osage government is here to serve the Osage people, not those who work for the Osage government and not just those Osage members who live and work in Osage County.
Wow, to poster @ 8:49 am, I have been in support of the matching grant from the get go. Congress needs to stop pandering to special interest. Osage is waking up...
Start thinking direct services as your first and absolute top priority Alice Bufffalohead and not indirect services or anything else from now on. BTW, what's all this scuttlebutt about the new Pawhuska Arbor being a total monstroshity?
More eye-popping numbers without the money to spend on them --->>> http://osagenews.org/en/article/2015/04/09/money-tight-congress-considers-dipping-permanent-fund/
GOOD POST from Jim Ryan at his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/234024393278360/?ref=ts&fref=ts --->>> On April 17, 2014, Chief BigHorse signed ONCA 13-21 into law. This bill allowed the health balances to carry over for three years. “ Osage Nation member benefits under this act shall carry over from calendar year to calendar year up to a maximum amount equal to three years of benefits at the benefit rate for that recipient. “ The intent of this bill is clearly for the health benefit to roll over for three years. The proposed Health Benefit Act amendment bill ONCA 15-28 states; “ Osage Nation member benefits under this act shall carry over from calendar year to calendar year up to a maximum amount equal to two years of benefits at the benefit rate for that recipient. “ The intent of this bill is clearly to limit the carry over to two years. This will be hard on families and individuals, who may have been planning a major medical expense like; braces for their children, purchasing prosthesis, or an elective surgery based on the three year carry over in ONCA 13-21. This bill would be the first cut in benefits to the Osage people since our new government was established. It appears that Congress will use 5 million dollars of the extra 6 million given to our Nation by gaming this year for construction expenses while attempting to cut the health benefit to the Osage people. This is unconscionable and we need to speak out against it. Below is a short simple letter that I have written to Congress members opposing this cut in health benefits. Feel free to copy it and send it to them, or write your own message opposing this cut in benefits. Dear Congress Member, I am respectfully asking you to oppose ONCA 15-28, An act to amend the benefit act to change the carry over balance to two years and vote against it in committee, or session. This bill will hurt the Osage people and should not be made law. Yours Truly, Jim Ryan Osage Congressional email list jjech@osagecongress-nsn.gov, rshaw@osagecongress-nsn.gov, jmaker@osagecongress-nsn.gov, ohamilton@osagecongress-nsn.gov, Supernaws@sbcglobal.net, abuffalohead@osagecongress-nsn.gov, sedwards@osagecongress-nsn.gov, amason@osagecongress-nsn.gov, rwalker@osagecongress-nsn.gov, mwhitehorn@osagecongress-nsn.gov, jnorris@osagecongress-nsn.gov, apratt@osagecongress-nsn.gov
Cut the special interest out of the picture, stop the Construction and so forth...its starts at home at Gov.Spending not the Health Benefit program...man this is just unbelievable is a understatement.
Good-O. I agree with S. Edwards that these so called Courtesy bill sponsorship pieces of legislation that come into committee need to be read, studied and vetted by the sponsor before they introduce these bills to the Osage Congress in the first place. Saying it's a courtesy sponsorship and, "I don't know anything about it." won't cut it period. Why aren't these members of the Osage Congress earning our votes and their position as our representatives by bringing in a point by point written Legislative Summary with every bill they submit that is sent to Committee? Be lazy on your own time Congress, not the time we are paying for when you are in Session and in Committee. You do have to prepare for what you are doing while in our employ. You can't just blow in there and hope it all goes well.
I couldn't agree more with you on tnis subject, ....like I said Our Congress members need to be presented with the facts through in and out any piece of legislation that concerns special interest and private parties and sponsorships...but the problem lies in the due process which Congress is sworn to uphold..if they do not want to see the dynamics change in Congress and keep status quo they need to look and express they want the pros and cons to each piece of legislation that is introduced.
WTH! 20 minutes away is Fairfax where $3 million is already being spent on a Center. This bill has just come up in Committtee: Consideration of ONCA 15-35, An Act to an appropriation in the amount of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) to Tribal Development and Land Acquisition for project costs to build the Hominy Wellness Center; and to establish an alternate effective date. (Supernaw). Can't they take a 20 minute drive for a wellness visit from Hominy to Fairfax? This is a perfect example of how one small area is receiving all the Tribal funding that should go to your per-cap.
Isn't the only fiscally mature solution for these members of the Osage Congress to table each and every bill for appropriation that comes into any Congressional Committee that doesn't involve a direct service to the Osage People above the $40,000,000 cap until the Fall Session of the next year?
Is it my imagination or money that was earmarked to go somewhere else, moving around the round table sorta speak? And you are right about the Fall Session. Sponsor a bill that supports A PER-CAP.
Make that a $50,000,000 cap, right? The appropriations committee voted to change the revenue projections upward without sound reason to do so. Not enough money? No problem. Just raise the revenue projections. Beats having to hold the line on spending.
Right...it is never good to hear that they need to go into the permanent fund....remember their is Constuents will push for tighter controls so this doe not happen in the future, had the Appropriation Commitee did there diligence need to rethink how they came to the conclusion this was ethical by law? Most importantly the Chief is the last stop.
Where did all this permanent fund money come from? Maybe from overbudgetting year after year by + or - $5 million that should have gone to us in a per-cap??????
And where's his background in Federal contracting? The tribal businesses and ANCs which are successful in Federal contracting hire people with experience in that space. These contracts are bound by myriad regulations, and failure to comply can result in suspension, debarment, and civil and criminal penalties. At least Leese had experience in the Federal market.
They've been turning over rocks for ages and haven't been able to find a really qualified person who is fool enough to step into the mess that's been created. A quick search of public information would make most run the other way and one look at the books would chase off anyone with the good sense that God gave a crazy goose.
So bottom line, what? We've been telling them to shut the damn thing down for the last three years at least. The people who fund this mess as you call it are responsible and if you want to get results, file a complaint with the new AG against the Osage Congress for unethical funding and fiscal negligence well beyond that of any reasonable public official with the responsibility for public funds and you will see this tortured chapter in Osage Nation history come to a very quick termination, I guarantee you.
This isnt a wish. It's justice for the Osage people who deserve a government that holds it's elected officials accountable for ficscal negligence and irresponsibiity.
Really think a phenomenon is going to take away stupidity, you have it all wrong especially the voices were recorded as well, does not bode well for the City of Tulsa....or the Chief.
Cultural Division Director for $85,000 salary when others know what they are doing already? Good question Speaker Whitehorn. To marry three Cultural divisions together? Start at $40,000 and don't even think about making us feel guilty about less. There is no one in the Osage Tribal community that knows what you need them to fforr a PHD who knows whatt tthey doo who is already employed by and in place already. No PHD is going to know what they need to know about tthe culture of the Osagre going in anyway. Stupid patronage job and we arent fooled one bit. Get rid of this positon now!!!!!!!!!! If Vann Bighorse was hired to do this very job in the first place and he isn't doing his job, fire him and get someone who will. Don't keep adding management layers when those in management will only resent them. If control is what the Chief wants, have him sit down witth these people running things currrenty and establish it to get the departments to cooperate with one another. If they won't, fire them.
Yeah Chief. You wanted this job to manage this Tribal government so start managing your employees and stop firing them. ONCA 15-35? I say to hell with it and your stupid patronage job. Get the Director of Operations to oversee this because this is what that job is supposed to be doing anyway.
Candidates can't show up to be interviewed by the Cultural Committee and they approve them anyway? Charles Red Corn and Richard Luttrell. Why do they pass through these people without properly vetting them in Commitee?
I'm hearing that the Chief is putting on boards including that new central control board what looks like political supporters for the next election, political hacks from the past, and people with no business background or experience just to be the Chief after the 2018 election.
Government OPs Committee is soon to meet and it look like Congressman Walker is trying to reshufffle the deck with a + $5 million appropriation to Government Operations. What is going on? Is this more money being appropriated for a Osage Nation workers who can't be bothered to come to work and answer the phone? Plus they are reducing direct services to the Osage People with one hand while they are giving the bureaucracy more money. WRONG THING TO DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! https://www.dropbox.com/s/ppd7l39g04k9kq6/GO_4-15-15_NoticeREVISED3.pdf?dl=0
Very wrong thing to do!!!!!! Chief wake up and smell the flowers, short cuts never work and always end up costing more....What is Congressman Walker smoking?
The OLLC Enterprise Board has unanimously voted to form Tallgrass Economic Development LLC. They currently claim the transfer of assets is only to rebrand and distance the business from the OLLC history, but presentations in previous commerce committee sessions make clear that the concept was originally to move OPDG, OIS and other assets to avoid potential legal liabilities.
The Enterprise Board asked the SBA local office for an opinion on forming a new business and transferring the two 8(a)/HUBZone companies (i.e., the "assets"). The SBA representatives are expressly prohibited from giving legal advice.
The Enterprise Board has failed to seek legal advice in this matter. Shannon Edwards has expressed concerns about losing the 8(a) status of the two companies, and she has valid concerns.
The SBA is unaware that the composition of the current Enterprise Board does not meet the regulatory requirements to demonstrate control by the tribe. It is possible for the SBA to waive this requirement, but only when the company has a formal training plan in place to grow the expertise of tribal members to assume control. The OLLC has never developed such a plan, having instead relied upon having a majority of the board members be Osage. This changed with last year's appointments, resulting in two of the five members (40%) being Osage.
As to the 8(a) entities being at risk, they already are. Transfer of these companies would not remedy the problems. I'm not going to discuss the nature of these issues, but it stems from on-going mismanagement.
The Commerce and Economic Development Committee is placing too much confidence in Dave Stewart's experience and faith in Jim Parris' statements. They are being given foolish advice and fed disinformation. If they would just review the OLLC and subsidiary operating agreements, the contracts between these entities and third parties, the actual operations of these companies, and the governing Federal laws and regulations then the risk would be evident.
The absolute worst thing that could come about is to reorganize all of the business entities under a common board, as it would expose the assets of other entities to the liabilities of OLLC and its subsidiaries.
They need good legal advice. If Tallgrass is formed and don't pay fair value for the subsidies including the "know-how" then it could be viewed as a altar ego of the LLC. This could get the assets of both and the tribe being treated as one in the same. Are they thinking about shutting down the LLC? Where will funding for Tallgrass come from? How long have they been planning this? Why wasn't it in the annual plan? Too many unanswered questions.
OK. 8(a) entities were acquired. How? The answer is that the Osage LLC purchased them. Suggested solution: sell the assets of the Osage LLC to Tallgrass Economic Development LLC and be done with it. OK?
Just think about what a horror it would have been if the ON Congress had actually given the Osage, LLC the $20 million that former Board member, Jonathan -- Harvard Man -- Taylor and former CEO Carol Leese asked for as a capital contribution a few years back. Why haven't these two been sued by the Osage Nation for the $18-99 million of the Osage people's money they lost?
Water rights issue and money for legal actions: Consideration of ONCA 15-41, An Act to provide an appropriation to the Attorney General of the Osage Nation for fiscal year 2015 in the amount of one million two hundred fifty five thousand six hundred forty six dollars ($1,255,646). (Whitehorn)
So we have to keep Jeff Jones on with full salary at the same time we have a new AG being paid $65,000? WTH? Somebody at the very highest level screwed up big time here. $130,000 a year for the two of them at the same time? I remembered that Jones got that Federal Tribal Assistant U.S. Attorney designation that it might cause a problem to make this change to a new AG and sure enough. This is on you Chief and you alone. --->>> http://osagenews.org/en/article/2015/01/12/jeff-jones-named-tribal-special-assistant-us-attorney/
Today's spending agenda with the GOV/OPS Committe: Consideration of ONCA 14-62, An Act to amend the open records Act at 15 ONC § 8-102 to include Osage Nation enterprises, including limited liability companies, corporations and any other business entity of the Osage Nation in the definition of a government entity; and to establish an alternate effective date. (Supernaw) Consideration of ONCA 15-41, An Act to provide an appropriation to the Attorney General of the Osage Nation for fiscal year 2015 in the amount of one million two hundred fifty five thousand six hundred forty six dollars ($1,255,646). (Whitehorn) Consideration of ONCA 15-42, An Act to authorize and appropriate two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) to the Treasury for debt payments already distributed to the Master Campus Plan Loan; to ratify the Master Campus Loan debt payments made by the Treasurer; and to establish an alternate effective date. (Supernaw) Consideration of ONCA 15-43, An Act to amend 15 ONC § 2-304 to remove the requirement of five (5) years government fund accounting experience; and to establish an alternate effective date. (Buffalohead)Consideration of ONCA 14-62, An Act to amend the open records Act at 15 ONC § 8-102 to include Osage Nation enterprises, including limited liability companies, corporations and any other business entity of the Osage Nation in the definition of a government entity; and to establish an alternate effective date. (Supernaw) Consideration of ONCA 15-41, An Act to provide an appropriation to the Attorney General of the Osage Nation for fiscal year 2015 in the amount of one million two hundred fifty five thousand six hundred forty six dollars ($1,255,646). (Whitehorn) Consideration of ONCA 15-42, An Act to authorize and appropriate two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) to the Treasury for debt payments already distributed to the Master Campus Plan Loan; to ratify the Master Campus Loan debt payments made by the Treasurer; and to establish an alternate effective date. (Supernaw) Consideration of ONCA 15-43, An Act to amend 15 ONC § 2-304 to remove the requirement of five (5) years government fund accounting experience; and to establish an alternate effective date. (Buffalohead) |LESS EXPERIENCE HERE THAN BEFORE? WTH? Didn't we get in trouble here already with an unqualified Treasurer who didn't know enough to pour pee out off a boot before he put it on? Figuratively speaking of course.|
Buffalohead says there are no dollars and cents in any of her bills. Nor is there any sense either. You didn't check with the Osage, LLC on 8(a) contacts and its application before you put forward this one? --->>> Consideration of ONCA 15-51, An Act to restrict employment contracts for executives, professional services and consultants to a term of two (2) years; to exempt vendor contracts from this Act; to amend 14 ONC § 12-105(D)(1) as amended, to make contracting limits consistent with this Act; and to establish an alternate effective date. (Buffalohead) Are you kidding me Alice?
An unnecessary salary of $5,416.66 a month plus benefits for the old AG we shouldn't have to pay if the right people had been paying attention to what they were doing. Sick.
The Rules and Ethics Commitee meeting for today has been cancelled. ON Congress will meet Friday at 8 a.m. due to the 10 a.m. meeting of the Mineral Council: https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/who-we-are/congress-legislative-branch/calendar
Just read the Osagenews this Thursday AM. I am on the fence, why would Congress not support the continued fight against the Wind Farms? I here more excuses as to why we should as opposed to the opposite? Yes this land is in trust, but to not to do something in the mean time is pure insane. This does not protect tne interest of the Osage M.E. This is a boondoggle on the economy with no real benefit but a tax and a threat, a huge threat to the growth of the M.E. This on a magnitude is a huge failure on Congress's part....ok here's what needs to happen I wouldn't revisit this with Congress as much as maybe a Executive Memorandum needs to happen. I get the fact that we are Sovereign lets act like it and do the diligence that is expected. This is jot a game. This is more important and should take precedent. Can't see the forest for the trees. The domino effect with no action is exactly what is going to happen will affect the Shareholder's. This is a prediction and another suit waiting to happen and will happen. You guys need to pull the thumb out of wnere the sun shines. One pissed off Shareholder. One thing to remember this Gov was formulated by one phone call and this De facto Government wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the M.E.
ReplyDeleteIf Jim Gray hadn't lost the reservation designation we would be OK. Probably none of this would be going on. Dangerous to get back into court and dangerous not to. I don't understand why dominant estate property issues with the retention of the Mineral Rights to the Tribe and the laws of the State of OK don't apply here but probably need to get back into court to get this reestablishe
DeleteOf PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE: If you receive a tax credit for your health insurance in Colorado as a Native American, YOU MUST GO BACK TO THE CONNECT FOR COLORADO EXCHANGE TO PURCHASE INSURANCE FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR. You cannot rollover your current healthcare insurance with your current healthcare insurance provider. If you do, you will lose your tax credit. This may also be true with the Federal Exchange if you live in another State than Colorado if you have no State Healthcare Exchange in your area:
ReplyDeleteFrom an e-mail sent to me by Kaiser Permanente:
Understanding federal financial assistance
The health care reform law makes federal financial assistance available to people to help pay for care and coverage, such as monthly premiums and out-of-pocket expenses (deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance).
This assistance is only available if you renew coverage through Connect for Health Colorado.
Last year, you may not have signed up for federal financial assistance. And even if you did, Connect for Health Colorado may not have all the information they need to automatically renew your coverage.
Check with Connect for Health Colorado before open enrollment begins on November 15, 2014, to update your income information.
In Colorado, for more information call: 1-855-752-6747. If you have a State sponsored Healthcare Exchange in your location, it would be an excellent idea to call them for more information about this matter in your local area.
DeleteThe Connect for Colorado web site is open for next years enrollment on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2014.
Correction: Connect for Health Colorado.
DeleteGreat information thank you Osageblogger.
DeleteYou're welcome. Those who qualify for a tax credit may not fully understand the implications here and to not go back to the Colorado Health Exchange will mean for Colorado residents who qualify that they will lose their tax credit in 2015. Not a good situation.
DeleteLooks like oil wil be droping possibly to $75 dollars a barrel which will undoubtedly have a cause and effect for everyone involved. This means, there won't be any wild cat drilling because their profit margin is zilch. The PPB in order for them to make a profit needs to be at $ 85. Price for meat are only going to go hire. I hope you all saved some of your money from the Cobell suit. Next year is goi g to be a rough one.
ReplyDeleteUnderstood.
DeleteOn spending, this has to be seen to be believed:
ReplyDeletehttp://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid3121935425001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAC1fL-t4k~,J1A-YDgiJT7z5oOtvyHTr8EWwClKBtlk&bctid=3878083429001
Did I hear these members of Congress give every reason under the sun to vote no on the $300,000 appropriation for that damn grocery store and then vote yes to give it the money? Listen to Supernaw and see if what he said makes any sense at all relative to the way he voted. This is plumb crazy to me.
Criminal fiscal malfeasence plain and simple.
Deletehttp://barnsdalltimes.com/http:/barnsdalltimes.com/news/groceries-and-more-coming-to-fairfax
DeletePopulation in fairfax Oklahoma for 2014 and 2013
DeleteOther Counties And Cities In Oklahoma
Population By Races
Race Population % of Total
Total Population 1,380 100
White 833 60
American Indian 377 27
Two or More Races 140 10
A fascinating perspective on how the world really works:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/watch-online/full-episodes/worricker-turks-caicos/
FYI: A TOTAL WOW! I just got off the phone with Delta Dental and the agent I spoke with had no idea that you have to re-up and buy a new plan this year through your local State exchange, if applicable or the Federal healthcare exchange in order to qualify for your 2015 tax credits, if you quality, for both medical and dental insurance. For most people (non-Indian), you have an enrollment period ending on December 14, 2014 to buy these policies. For Native Americans, we have an open enrollment period at any time of the year.
ReplyDeletehttp://osagenews.org/en/article/2014/11/13/protect-osage-coalition-public-information-meeting-nov-17/
ReplyDeleteBe sure to attend.
Can't wait tot here the outcome.
Delete5 man board claims tribe lacks power to prosecute --->>> http://barnsdalltimes.com/http:/barnsdalltimes.com/news/5-man-board-claims-tribe-lacks-power-to-prosecute
ReplyDeleteJustice in Osage Courts is ludicrously slow.
Oh thats just hilarious. Band them from the Tribe. They stole and they admitted to it. They can not be trusted just like the old Chief. How embarrassing.
DeleteOn another front, this is exactly what happens when the Osage Nation government has, up until now, abandoned its responsibility to oversee and hold accountable the gaming operations:
ReplyDelete"UPDATE: Two Osage Casino executives have voluntarily surrendered their gaming licenses to the Osage Nation Gaming Commission..."
Read more at https://www.facebook.com/OsageNews?ref=stream&fref=nf
For the umpteenth time, we warned them and they ignored us.
http://osagenews.org/en/article/2014/11/17/wind-turbines-go-nation-vows-keep-fighting/...don't we have the bird the Grouse on our land? Soon to be on the endangered list. Thought I would throw that out there. Every bit of infor is much needed. Yep, tried to tell people this is a scam of a sham just like Obama Care, don't get me wrong...alternative energy is not a source of great energy other than the only energy is coming from the tax payers pockets. Another ponzi scheme. And just like Keystone, will the U.S benefit? And not mention your property value is gone. No one wants these turbines in there back yard. The greater will, will prevail.
ReplyDeleteWonderful NEWS! The Federal government has struck back with an injunction filed in court to stop the activities of the wind farm currently being built in Osage County. Send your email address to Osage Pre-Election News at osage_election_news@comcast.net and we will send you a copy of this Injunction.
ReplyDeleteThank you Osageblogger for the great news.
DeleteLike I said the greater will, will prevail and as I have said all long , long live the 1906 Act.
DeleteFor all you Kennedy Assassination Conspiracy theorists, after 50 years, the Warren Commission Report and the 26 Volumes of the Committee Hearings are all digitized and online.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.gpo.gov/newsroom-media/presspage/14presspage21
http://www.gpo.gov/featured/WarrenCommission.htm
Wow, thank you.
DeleteCan someone explain how these wind farms got the Idea it was ok to build on our land?
ReplyDeleteSomehow those dang landowners jumped the gun and told em they could go forward with this foolly. Landowners should probably be sued by that ENEL bunch for getting them into this mess and not fully disclosing the history of 1906 Act and how many previous legal challenges there have been over the past hundred years to get at those mineral rights in one way or another. Full disclosure is important on a business deal like this one and blind greed driven agreements won't get those landowners anywhere but in court where they belong for all this disruption to the Mineral Estate. Been waiting to get those mineral rights some of em for decades. Stupid.
DeleteThank you.
DeleteDon't mention it.
DeleteThe Osage Nation doesn't have standing to bring suit for anything about the mineral estate. The shareholders are the owners of the mineral rights.
DeleteIf the shareholders were the owners of the mineral rights, why didn't the original allottees get a quit claim deed from the then Secretary of the Interior or on his behalf by the Chief at the time for each parcel of land they owned in order to repatriate the mineral rights to the surface land at the end of the first 25 years per the 1906 Allotment Act? Why? Because it never happened and through several extensions per U.S. Congressional Amendments to the 1906 Act signed into law by the President, the Osage Tribe retains them in ownership. When the new government took over, the mineral rights ownership transferred to the Osage Nation, hence the Osage Nation is the legal owner per the 1938 Act to amend the 1906 Act. Just because you want something a certain way doesn't make it true or the prevailing legal reality.
DeleteLol.
DeleteThe mineral rights are owned by the U.S. in trust for the shareholders. The use of the name Osage Nation by the 2006 government does in no way imply ownership of any mineral property.
DeleteThe great thing about this blog is that it outs the fact that few if any of you posting here with actual mineral trust beneficiary personal property assets coming to you in a quarterly headright check really understand the legal mechanics how a Trust actually works.
DeleteInitially there has to be an owner with assets to be "taken into trust" or "put or placed in trust." When the Osages purchased the reservation in 1883, the U.S. Government took that real estate land asset and placed it into trust by use of a Trustees Deed which is exactly what the Cherokee Deed for the purchase of the reservation is yesterday, today and tomorrow or until the Federal government decides to terminate the Federal Trust and pull the mineral rights still tied to the Cherokee Trustee's Deed out of the current Trust and issue a general warrantee deed or some other kind of U.S. Government property conveyance whatever that might be, and transfer the ownership back to the Osage Tribe/Osage Nation per the terms and conditions of the 1938 Act and the 1978 Act of the U.S. Congress to amend the Act of June 24,1938 (52 Stat. 1034, 1035).
Act of June 24,1938 (52 Stat. 1034, 1035):
"That all that part of the Act of June 28, 1906 (34 Stat. L. 539), entitled 'An Act for the division of the lands and funds of the Osage Indians in Oklahoma, and for other purposes', which reserves to the Osage Tribe the oil, gas, coal, or other minerals, covered by the lands for the selection and division of which provision is made in that Act is hereby amended so that the oil, gas, coal, or other minerals, covered by said lands are reserved to the Osage Tribe...and all royalties and bonuses arising therefrom shall belong to the Osage Tribe of Indians..."
1978 Act of October 21, 1978
c) The fourth paragraph of section 3 of the Act of June 24, 1938 (52 Stat. 1034, 1036) is amended by striking the phrase " January 1, 1984" and inserting, in lieu thereof, the phrase " January 1, 1984 and thereafter until otherwise provided by Congress".
RE: The section of the 1938 Act that has been amended by the 1978 Act giving the Federal government the ability to unilaterally opt out of continuing forward with the Mineral Estate Trust and the Trust relationship with the Osages that it is currently bound by today:
"That all that part of the Act of June 28, 1906 (34 Stat. L. 539), entitled 'An Act for the division of the lands and funds of the Osage Indians in Oklahoma, and for other purposes', which reserves to the Osage Tribe the oil, gas, coal, or other minerals, covered by the lands for the selection and division of which provision is made in that Act is hereby amended so that the oil, gas, coal, or other minerals, covered by said lands are reserved to the Osage Tribe, until the 8th day of April, 1983, unless otherwise provided by Act of Congress..." The last part of this sentence now reads, "January 1, 1984 and thereafter until otherwise provided by Congress." Clearly, An Act of the U.S. Congress is no longer required by law for the Federal government to walk away from the current Mineral Estate Trust. Having a trustees deed in place by the Federal government does not indicate ownership but rather, in this case, management and administration by the Feds which is exactly what has been going on for the last 108 years.
I must make a correction to my earlier post which text actually refers to the mineral rights that are now reserved in perpetuity:
Delete"The lands, moneys, and other properties now or hereafter held in trust or under the supervision of the United States for the Osage Tribe of Indians, the members thereof, or their heirs and assigns, shall continue subject to such trusts and supervision until January 1, 1984, unless otherwise provided by Act of Congress." This paragraph has been amended to read, "January 1, 1984 and thereafter until otherwise provided by Congress."
The paragraph in the 1978 Act that amended the 1938 Act amendment of the mineral rights length of ownership is as follows:
SEC. 2. (a) The first paragraph of section 3 of the Act of June 24, 1938 (52 Stat. 1034, 1035), as amended, extending the mineral estate reserved to the Osage Tribe by the Act of June 26, 1906 (34 Stat. 539), is further amended by striking the phrase "until the eighth day of April 1983, and thereafter until otherwise provided by Act of Congress" and substituting, in lieu thereof, the phrase "in perpetuity".
I'm confused. What paragraph is it again that refers to the Federal Mineral Estate Trust that has been amended that no longer requires an Act of Congress to change or amend over again in the future?
DeleteAs a result of the 1978 Act Amendment, the change made now reads as follows in the second paragraph of section 3 of the Act of June 24, 1938 (52 Stat. 1034, 1035), as amended:
Delete"The lands, moneys, and other properties now or hereafter held in trust or under the supervision of the United States for the Osage Tribe of Indians, the members thereof, or their heirs and assigns, shall continue subject to such trusts and supervision until January 1, 1984, unless otherwise provided by Congress."
The Shareholder's are the Owners in the first or beneficiaries of Royalties however, not The Nation as proven many times by lititgation and there of the Mineral Trust is managed by the Federal Government as ameneded by the 1906 Act. And you are mistaken in that clearly as instructed otherwise compares to in perpetuity by just not on paper but by a stand alone on it's own merit as interpreted by and as witnessed of 108 years. No arguement what the intended purpose of the1906 Act is and still is and forever will be unless instructed by the legal owners to Congess which are the beneficiaries of the trust held by the Fed. Gov. Sure, anyone understanding what "Property Conveyance "means understands under normal circumstances this could happen, but we are unique how the 1906 Act protects this from Happening as interpreted by the Courts for 108 years.
DeleteBTW: The income generated by mineral rights has been taken into trust and placed in the Federal Treasury trust account by the U.S. for the shareholders.
DeleteThe mineral rights have been in trust tied to the Cherokee Trustees deed for the purchase of the Osage reservation since 1883. The 1906 Act and its various amendments have specified that the mineral rights are reserved to the Osage Tribe, not the individual original allottees or whoever may have a headright or headright share today. This is a key fact because the mineral rights ownership must be secure in the Osage Tribe/Osage Nation or there won't be any income from them to be taken into trust and placed in the trust account for the current Headright owners.
Wow! December 8, 2014 at 11:51 AM, are you making this up as you go along or what? It's truly in your best interest to read the 1906 Allotment Act and every single standing amendment that has changed its initial terms, conditions and provisions. Most of the original document has been changed by the various subsequent amending Acts of the U.S. Congress and it now looks like an empty shell or a tree without branches. Requests have been made of the Mineral Council over the years to reconstruct all of the terms, conditions and provisions so that the document can be read by the headright owners and all Osage members as it stands today but that much work is too daunting for them. They should be required to do this by the Osage Nation's law that has required codification of the laws that pertain to the Osage Nation since the Minerals Council is part of the Osage Nation government and the 1906 Act as amended has been included and made a part of the Osage Constitution ratified in 2006 but I guess they feel that they are above the law or they don't want you to know the truth of the matter. Another key point is that it has been this way since June 24, 1938 and October 21, 1978. Read these amending documents along with the original 1906 Allotment Act and you will be able to follow the changes in the law that have been made over the last century. The courts have supported and upheld the 1906 Act as amended against a number of legal challenges. Cite the case if you believe this to be untrue.
DeleteENEL is making fair use of surface rights. For there to be an infringement of the mineral estate "mining" would need to occur, which entails the removal of 5,000 cubic yards of minerals from a single tract of land within a period of one year. A "single tract" does not include the entire land body of Osage County. On average, ENEL is digging up less than 750 cubic yards per wind turbine and some portion of that is being replaced into the pits as back-fill, further reducing the amount of "minerals" removed.
Delete750 cubic yards x 175 wind turbines in total? 131,250 total cubic yards of mineral limestone excavation? Sounds like mining of minerals to me. Where are you getting this fair use of surface rights law? In the State of Oklahoma? If so, this situation involves Federal law involving a Federal Mineral Estate Trust of a domestic dependent Native American Tribe or Nation. I don't believe this fair use fantasy you're speaking of applies on Federally owned and held lands or where it concerns real or personal property including rights of Native American Tribes or Nations or for that matter, of individual Tribal peoples held in trust by the U.S. government. Federal law always trumps State or Tribal law. End of story. Nice try but no cigar from the Cigar Store Indian you're trying so hard to take advantage of in Osage County, thank you very much!!!!!!!!
Delete"A trustee is considered a fiduciary and owes the highest duty under the law to protect trust assets from unreasonable loss for the trust's beneficiaries." 131,250 total cubic yards of minerals used, moved or replaced? Come on! This isn't some slight of hand here. This is a lot of mineral content being excavated and utilized for the benefit of a publicly owned company of the government of Italy. The Secretary of the Interior of the United States who is the Trustee of the Osage Mineral Estate Trust has to act on behalf of the Osages per her fiduciary duty.
DeleteThis minerals discussion continues at http://osageblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/osage-shareholder-matters-november-2014.html Thank you.
DeleteI want to put in a solid plug for the Osage Nation Christmas Ornaments. Just received some of them and they are indeed spectacular! See http://www.osagefoundation.org/store/ Perfect stocking stuffers for sure. Your ornaments purchase benefits the Osage Nation Foundation so it's all good.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget about the Osage Ballet! The Wahzhazhe DVD is available for purchase at http://www.osageballet.com/store/
DeleteWant to find out more on what is going on? Come to Shareholders Association Sunday Dec 7 at
ReplyDeleteDave Landrum Community Center......1:00 Potludck Ham will be furnished...
Don't forget:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/OsageNews/photos/a.153834188010750.33094.134873493240153/814057911988371/?type=1&theater
Or the scholarship deadline on the 15th of December either:
Deletehttp://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/news-events/events/osage-nation-education-scholarship-deadline-quarterly-session
The Oaage Shareholders meeting on Dec 7 was very good. Cynthia, Susan, Kugee and our Chief gave us much information on " What is Going on" and the Ham dinner was good...next meeting will be in March. If you would like to join membership dues are $25 a year and Associates dues are $10. Great way to meet other Shareholders and get info on what is going on! Send dues to Box 418, Pawhuska, ok 74056
ReplyDeleteGood IDEA --->>> http://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/news-events/news/new-equipment-osage-nation-fitness-centers-time-new-years-resolutions
ReplyDeleteBRILLIANT IDEA --->>> http://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/news-events/news/osage-nation-emergency-management-have-plan-–-make-kit-–-stay-informed
DeleteUseful contact information --->>>
ReplyDeletehttp://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/departments
Keep up --->>>
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/2014-west-africa/distribution-map.html
Not forgotten --->>> http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USCDC/bulletins/f1d375
DeleteThere has never been so much money flowing in Osage County from the coffers of the ON Treasury and yet look at the cases of child support for 2013!!!!! This is a travesty and where is the money going and what is it being spend on that Osage children have to go without until the negligent parent is hauled into Tribal court?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/who-we-are/government/judicial-branch/trial-court/case-information/2013-case-information
Merry Christmas to my brother and sister Osages. Lisa marie Robertson
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and Happy New Year to you Lisa and all of you out there as well! Had the best Christmas yet and we're knucking down and getting ready for the challenges the New Year is sure to bring to all of us. Stay sharp folks and keep an eye on the Osage situation, we're undoubtedly going to need it this year. God Bless!
DeleteSign up next week for Spring classes! https://www.facebook.com/OsageNews/photos/a.153834188010750.33094.134873493240153/829856270408535/?type=1
ReplyDeleteDon't forget about the Osage language Spring classes as well:
Deletehttp://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/who-we-are-language-department/class-information
So funny! Political Patronage sure is alive and well in the Osage --->>> 10 people to watch in 2015: Ryan Red Corn? Yeah right. What are we supposed to watch? How quickly he helps drain the coffers of the the Osage Nation Treasury against the financial interest of the Osage people? http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/local/people-to-watch-in-ryan-red-corn/article_83571457-01b2-5f95-ad1d-a51086c083fa.html
ReplyDeleteIt begs the question; where would Ry Ry have been without "Big Bucks Osage Daddy" Ray Ray during the years he was in the Osage Congress and now, as Ass.P. Chief? He's got another son in there crawling all over one or more Osage building projects now and who knows how much the price tags will be before the dust finally settles after they are delivered. Jon Jon's article is here --->>> http://osagenews.org/en/article/2014/12/09/master-plan-pawhuska-indian-village-works/ and both brothers are on the Committee to build the new Pawhuska arbor --->>> http://www.osagenews.org/en/article/2014/08/18/pawhuska-committee-unveils-proposed-dance-arbor/
As far as the Chief and the Ass. P. Chief, doesn't this constitute gross fiscal malfeasance in the misuse of public funds while elected to office? That damned grocery store in Fairfax again and another $300,000 of the Osage Nation peoples money right down the drain once more after how many millions of our money have been spent on it already? $3-4 million over the past ten or twenty years? --->>> http://osagenews.org/en/article/2014/12/23/chief-standing-bear-signs-lease-fairfax-grocery-store/
DeleteI believe according to a hypocritical statement made by Shannon Edwards while in Congressional Session, $21 million has either gone or been pledged to the Fairfax area since the new government took over. She questioned this overall spending in session at the time and then turned right around and voted for the particular spending measure up for a vote which was the $300,000 for the grocery store as did most, if not all, of the rest of them in that spendthrift Osage Congress. How is it exactly that 389 total members of the Osage Nation who live in Fairfax rank this much of a chunk of spending when the rest of the 18,000 members do not? Gross spending favoritism here folks and no end in sight.
DeleteHa Ha Ha Ha Ha! Political Patronage is right.
Deletehttp://osagenews.org/en/article/2014/12/31/byron-bighorse-hired-osage-casinos-ceo/
I give it six months to a year from today before this appointment of the Chief's son-in-law has those casinos running to total financial bedlam. Greed driven leadership at the top always leads to disaster.
What are the laws about neopotism? This is a mystery even though this appointment seems to be too close for comfort.
DeleteAdd Cronyism as well.
DeleteSpecial Session of Congress to start on January 14th --->>> http://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/news-events/news/4th-osage-nation-congress-called-6th-special-session
ReplyDeleteThey said we'd get into trouble with a Percap but where is the Osage Nation money really going? Guns and weed? Yes! 3.3lbs of weed, guns!
ReplyDeletehttp://barnsdalltimes.com/http:/barnsdalltimes.com/news/3-3lbs-of-weed-guns
Who cares weed isn't the problem...
DeleteI care that our money is ending up in the pockets of such as the likes of the guy arrested in the article. Who pays $250 to get out of jail? What do they think this is? A game of Monopoly? Pass Go and pay your $200 bucks to get out of jail practically scott free? Rank amateurs!!!!!
DeleteSorry, but I see your point...as in so many cases as what happened to the five man board case? I just think we have bigger fish to go after...herb isn't a issue as much as whats really going on in the drug market...meth..and the Asian Market...and Indian Territory is the ripe environment as in other areas of the country. I should have explained better.
DeleteOsage Book Club's next meeting flyer is located at https://www.facebook.com/OsageNews/photos/a.153834188010750.33094.134873493240153/834483283279167/?type=1
ReplyDeleteWow here's another instance of just good ole fashion ignorance, all in the family right Joe Don. Where did you hide the rest of the funds that are not accounted for? Their excuse would have and maybe would have been accepted back in the Seventies but we are in the 21st Century and they dont have a pot to count on if you no what I mean. Shame on all of you band them from the Rez..take their membership and use them as an example what not to do and set the precedent. GOOD ARTICLE BY OSAGE NEWS... http://osagenews.org/en/article/2015/01/15/former-pawhuska-five-man-board-members-appealing-cases-supreme-court/
ReplyDeleteTheir lawyer, Gene Dennison is one oof our Chief's favorites. Why would any Osage lawyer want to represent them?
DeleteOh boy the plot thickens. ..keep it all in the family and the appearance of croynism is alive and well I see. You can use any Lawyer still doesn't change the fact that the five man board stole from their own people...and on top of that see no problem is narcissistic. Let it go to trial....let them get their just deserts.
DeleteAnother thing here is that the Osage News is again asleep at the wheel. We have the Mineral Estate blowing up in our faces as we speak and Christmas is still up there on the web site. Christmas is over and we would like some hard news with real reportage coming from a news source that gets thousands upon thousands of the People's money. It should pay for more than one or two "soft" articles a week. Get these government officials, ONES Board Members and Minerals Council members interviewed as to what the plan is going forward and get it in the paper and online. I mean WTH!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/news-events/news/sovereignty-through-our-language
ReplyDeletehttps://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/3j6ehyx2ucoog09/2014-0102_ConstSer_CareQualityQuestionaire-comb.pdf
ReplyDeleteHelp make our employes better by sending in your feedback.
Healthcare exemption for Native Americans information --->>> http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2014/01/17/tribal-citizens-not-exempt-default-fill-out-form-avoid-tax-liability-153154
ReplyDeleteIf you don't have a State-run or sponsored Healthcare Marketplace or Exchange, this could become a very serious matter indeed. From CNN: "The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that individuals cannot use tax credits or subsidies to buy health insurance on federally-run Obamacare exchanges. The divided three-judge panel said those cost-sharing subsidies can only be used through state-run health exchanges."
DeleteE-mail address for United Osages of Southern California is socal.osages@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteContact UOSC for upcoming meeting and membership info.
https://www.facebook.com/OsageNews/photos/a.153834188010750.33094.134873493240153/848952345165594/?type=1&permPage=1
DeleteAnother Gray Day in Kay County...
ReplyDeleteLouis Gray, former ON Counseling director charged with sexual battery.
Has anyone read the latest on the five man board in the Osage News? I say Hog Wash! What might you say...? My this is corruption at it's finest..looking for loop holes will not solve your problem of being a liar and thief...prosecute them as should be.
ReplyDeletehttp://osagenews.org/en/article/2015/02/05/jurisdiction-challenged-pawhuska-village-five-man-board-case/
DeleteImportant information --->>> http://osagenews.org/en/article/2015/02/09/before-you-file-your-taxes-know-about-american-indian-tax-exemption/
ReplyDeleteOsage Culture: http://osagenews.org/en/article/2015/01/13/cultural-center-now-offering-classes-making-regalia/
ReplyDeleteYou would have thought after the theft of the furniture there would have been tighter internal financial controL concerning where the Grants are concerned and I thought better of the Nation was smarter than this....Cost Control is so paramount, what isr the responsibilities of our controller? Is she merely a bookkeeper? In the private sector She would be fired period...bottom line she is the operations of the entire office...she is to maintain all records to mitigate any risk...this is unacceptable Chief...there is no excuse...this is what happens when you hire people you know without great understanding of the position they hold. Called cronyism. You can also train someone but if they do not have experience in real life how are they to instruct? This is our money squandered. We not a mom and pop Government and its beginning to rear its colors...8 years into this new GOVERNMENT and what have you done to stop the spending and start that per-cap CHIEF to the Vote of the Osage Constituency...get it on the ballot. We know how a real Government works..don't expect your constituency believe everything you say...this comes of no surprise...was hoping this would not happen read this http://osagenews.org/en/article/2015/02/11/justice-department-audit-says-nation-owes-more-half-million/
ReplyDeleteIf you look into the audit report on social welfare spending you'll find the Osage Nation is spending far more than permitted by Federal statutes and regulations for a tribally administered program. The state is supposed to run the program when a tribe cannot meet the minimum established levels of efficiency. Were the state to take over then the tribal members would receive more in direct benefits.
DeleteI see that its a matterof time and I beleive this will be looked into. Corruption at its best and or incompetence.
DeleteI do agree with you.
Glad to see the Osage News doing a hard news article. I guess they have to have one a year to get the awards they get from thatt NAJA where the Osage News editor is on the board
Deletehttp://www.naja.com/news/m.blog/509/three-naja-members-win-full-board-terms-after-2014-elections-in-santa-clara-california
Thought the very same thing how do they get their award.
DeleteA lecture and exhibit about Osage Weddings at https://www.facebook.com/OsageNews/photos/a.153834188010750.33094.134873493240153/856552894405539/?type=1&theater
ReplyDeleteHow many times has this gone unreported before the perp got caught on video?
ReplyDeletehttp://barnsdalltimes.com/http:/barnsdalltimes.com/news/counselor-faces-charge
Where's our People's Fund? A friend of Jim Gray I'm told. It figures with a brother like Louis.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/29/us/in-north-dakota-where-oil-corruption-and-bodies-surface.html?_r=0
It figures. Tribal official associating with a white guy willing to "go the extra mile". Both getting rich quick. A common pattern and you can make a safe bet the tribe's being robbed blind. Always follow the money to find the crooks.
DeleteI said once apon a time , you don't have to look far justvlook in there back yard. This is going to cone to an end real soon.
DeleteGood advice here if your pipes freeze at https://www.facebook.com/OsageNews
ReplyDeleteThe representations made by Mr. Parris in the January 13, 2015 article in the Osage News related to operations of Osage, LLC are filled with half-truths, disinformation, and omission of key facts.
ReplyDeletehttp://osagenews.org/en/article/2015/01/13/osage-llc-shutters-two-subsidiaries-making-short-term-plans/
Both Echota and AVS both continue to exist. In the case of Echota, dissolution would be the proper step to mitigate risk and protect what remains of the tribes investment in Osage, LLC. Were the Enterprise Board members sufficiently knowledgeable of how to maintain arms-length operation of the various business entities then there would be no risk. Unfortunately, they are not.
As to the three remaining businesses, two are nothing but shams which are used to generate business for unrelated third parties and Osage Innovative Solutions is a "technology" with neither expertise nor past performance in the technology sector.
Osage Manhattan Builders is a joint venture where the only value that Osage, LLC brings to the mix is the Osage name. All contracts are actually performed by Manhattan Builders, which is a division of Manhattan Construction Company. This "joint venture" has no Osage, LLC employees engaged in the operation of the company, and the Enterprise Board has no control over how Manhattan Construction Company operations its internal division Manhattan Builders. Every presentation by Osage, LLC to the Commerce and Economic Development Committee which has represented Osage Manhattan Builders to have employees has been a false statement of fact.
Osage Pinnacle Design Group is nothing but a front company to get business for Pinnacle Design Group, LLC - another unrelated company where Osage, LLC has no ownership interest or control over operations. OPDG's business practices related to bidding and performing on federal contracts violate federal laws and regulations. OPDG has one (1) employee, and represents Pinnacle Design Group's employees and past performance as OPDG's in order to win contracts for which the company is wholly unqualified to perform.
The Commerce and Economic Development Committee needs to perform a detailed review of the on-going operations of Osage, LLC. In particular, the teaming agreements, proposals and contracts need to be audited for compliance with federal, state and Osage Nation laws, and also for conformance with the operating agreements. You will find the agreements waive sovereign immunity where no authority to do so is granted and are otherwise unfavorable to the ultimate owner, the Osage Nation.
I make these recommendations as the tribe's interests need to be protected. In Osage, LLC's most recent presentation to the Commerce and Economic Development Committee, Dave Stewart recommended directly involving personnel of the Osage Nation Government in operation of the Osage, LLC entities. This would violate the principle of arms-length operations, void any protections against liability, and put the Osage Nation at risk of debarment or suspension in receiving federal contracts or grants due to the activities of Osage, LLC and its entities.
It sounds to me that there is a leak or better yet loophole in the system by via way of using not just the Osage but elsewhere in Indian Country I'm sure of it...under the quise and there of...being a Non-Profit...something I have brought up before is the Boards knowledgeable in the Operations? And maybe the Board is being used like a rubber stamp? One thing is for sure...look at Dish and how they with another small company have used this loophole..http://indianz.com/News/2015/016560.asp. You are right..surprised that no one else has responded to your post.
DeleteThe article you've referenced indicates that Doyon owns 15 percent and a large business owns 85 percent of Northstar. Even with Doyon designated as the Manager of the entity, it would be a matter of fraud under 15 USC 645(d) to represent Northstar as small. Even if Doyon had majority ownership interest, the lack of telecommunications market experience makes Doyon the ostensible subcontractor, and under the Small Business Act it would be a large business due to affiliation.
DeleteNorthstar Wireless and SNR Wireless may have both qualified under FCC rules for small businesses, but these joint ventures would be treated as large businesses by the Small Business Administration. While Sen. McCaskill and Sen. Ayotte are looking to revise FCC rules, they should be pushing for DOJ to prosecute for violation of the Small Business Act. The FCC lacks authority to determine the size status of a business, as this is reserved to the Small Business Administration and is governed by Title 15 USC and 13 CFR Part 121.
Upon contract award, the small business would have to perform primary and vital elements of the contract and at least 51% of the value with its own employees to avoid violating other elements of the Small Business Act.
There isn't so much "a leak" in the system as commission of fraud which goes undetected due to false representations by the bidder and lack of diligence by the contracting officer. Once awarded, it is difficult to detect the fraud unless an insider reports the firm. More often than not, while the senior management of these "small businesses" are required (e.g., for the 8(a) BD and HUBZone programs) to receive training the other employees are clueless - even though contractually obligated to report such fraud.
The penalties for violating the Small Business Act are severe, and it is the management and owners of the small firms who suffer the consequences since they submit the bids and accept the contracts. The unscrupulous usually appoint a scapegoat to a key management position and then claim ignorance of the acts of this manager in order to avoid risk. Unfortunately, this person usually ends up taking the fall alone -- though sometimes the individual has enough documentary evidence to take others down too.
It is rare for large businesses to come courting the small disadvantaged firms. Far more often, it is the desperate small businesses with nothing to offer except 8(a) BD or HUBZone status (and that often achieved through fraud) who seek out the large businesses. The large business is often duped into a teaming relationship based on false claims of past performance and capabilities by the disadvantaged firm, so they escape unscathed when an investigation leads to charges and/or financial penalties.
If OPDG is caught for making false statements in order to procure federal contracts,or for violating the Small Business Act after award, and the Osage Nation Government staff are directly involved (as recommended by Mr. Stewart) in its management and operations, then the Osage Nation could also be debarred and suspended form receiving federal awards.
People get sentenced to prison every year for violating these laws, yet the desperate and greedy continue to violate the laws because they see others who manage to get away with it.
Glad to see Hula Lake is going to re-open.
ReplyDeletehttp://osagenews.org/en/article/2015/03/06/osage-owned-law-firm-hired-continue-osage-llc-investigation/
ReplyDeleteWell, howdy duty....like we did not see this coming. Duh...lmao...not! Is corruption on our coat tails? To the Osage Nation you were warned years ago. By several agencies and or by the Constituency. This is what happens when you hire a Board with no experience who do not understand Policy,or Procedures, thats sounds about right. When you hire a Board Member maybe you ought to think about why it is important not to hire that person, as opposed to hiring incompetent people and not your friend or realative. Training is a must..I don't care if you sat on many Boards..set a standard if you want to earn that check you must take a course in Business Management and E-CON 101. From time to time..knowledge is power. As I've said before Numbers are telling and numbers do not Lie !!!! Ultimately the Original Board is responsible. They hired Leese. And the Investigation should begin with the Board. Who referred Leese?..were there any limitations, methods, internal and external? Rigorous control on compliance is to be disclosed at all time when the Board calls for, ah, by the way it appears is this Board just took leeses word..and the diligence ,gone the green backs. The Millions...where was the criteria? Reporting is so paramount to the very foundation of this Company the LLc. Though I am grateful the Chief is looking into this matter, and thank you Osage News for the Update and glad to see this reported first from our Nation and the Source not going else where but first reported to the Osage News...we as a People wish to hear it from our News.
Oh by the way to my post @ 9:39, Just wanted to say Go Amanda Proctor...hope your family is doing well....
DeleteWhy hasn't the Osage News gotten its hands on the audit document and published it to the membership? We have a right to see it and a right to know what it reveals. Rauk Friend had a web site back eight years or more ago that had posts that warned about that Carol Leese fellow right about the time he was hired by the Osage LLC and it was also referred to on the OSA Blog that Kent Radcliff ran back then. The entire first Congress of the Osage Nation knew about this Leese character and still, they went ahead and hired him despite the information that was put out there in the public domain about his previous business relationship in Indian Country as the head of a business entity of the Potawatomi. All of the Osage government officials were reading the OSA Blog back then so there's no excuse. Harvard connection again here too. It's likely that the ones who will fear this audit getting out to the Osage people the most will be iPad Ray and Shannon Edwards.
DeleteThank you...this is what we need people to relize this goes back, eight years ago...It's written alright and accountability.ia s long over due..miss the OSA blog site...miss quite a few people who used to blog for Fiscal Responsibility.
DeleteYou and me both!
Deletehttp://osagenews.org/en/article/2015/03/09/questionable-headright-payments-still-issue/
ReplyDeleteGreat newa Article from Mr.Pratt on the Fletcher case. Get well Sir...Wow and the Story is always the same with the FEDERAL Government a day late and a dollar short and everything is a shot in the dark with them, wondering why the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT is posturing on this matter of Dollar and Sense? This is huge. 30% of our Headright money going to People or Entities that have no entitlement to such funds. Do the math and we are looking at Millions not dollars, millions in damages...This is a no-brainer. The facts as they lie can only be for the truth.
http://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2015/plains-indians-artists-of-earth-and-sky
ReplyDeleteThe New Yorker calls it "Wondrous!"
http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2015/03/14/full-circle-plains-indians-exhibit-takes-top-billing-metropolitan-museum-art-159602
Deletehttp://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2015/03/19/carlisle-indian-school-descendants-sought-heritage-center-planning-159648
ReplyDeleteIf your ancestors went to Carlisle, your input in needed.
Well!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOne more Chief SB close family member with a top gaming job. --->>> http://osagenews.org/en/article/2015/03/17/two-osages-hired-osage-casino-general-managers/
Watching closely and was wondering when the fire works was about t0 begin or more or less when the cat was let out of the hat...let the Games begin...just because you can does not mean you should because there may be a loophole in the Law...Chief you credibility metor is turned on.
DeleteSome days are a triumph and some days aren't. Today is a triumph for one of the Sponsors of the Osage Blog. Annette M. Gore is 99 years young today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNETTE!
ReplyDeleteThank you Osage Nation Constituent Services. Well done! See https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/news-events/news/after-hours-services-provided-osages
ReplyDeleteWoW. With this Chief, when your out, you're out overnight. Not that it's a bad thing but whatever happened to the professional courtesy of two weeks notice? http://osagenews.org/en/article/2015/03/26/chief-standing-bear-appoints-holli-wells-replace-jeff-jones-ag/
ReplyDeleteWhat I want to know is who was it that prosecuted all these criminal cases?
Deletehttps://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/who-we-are/government/judicial-branch/trial-court/case-information/2012-case-information
https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/who-we-are/government/judicial-branch/trial-court/case-information/2013-case-information
That's interesting?
DeleteOnly if you're interested in the truth. You sound like you work for the Osage Congress who most of the time behave like they could care less and are the least interested of any of us.
DeleteCouldn't be further from the truth but anyhow assuming will always come full circle...
DeleteAnd another wow. Here comes round two of trying to create Tallgrass Economic Development LLC. On the agenda for March 30.
ReplyDeleteThe company papers look like the Osage LLC ones. The last public discussion of Tallgrass hinted at playing a shell game with Osage LLC assets in some kind of attempt to dodge one or more bullets from past bad management.
Anyway, if Tallgrass is run in the same way how will it be any better? No better controls? But then again, the Osage LLC board was never (and still isn't) held to the resolutions under which they were created. Tallgrass won't be either. Seems they appoint people who never read the resolutions or that don't get what they read if they do.
Another round of wasting the tribe's resources??? You tell me.
ONCR 15-08, A Resolution to authorize and adopt the Articles of Organization for the limited liability company, Tallgrass Economic Development, LLC, to be formed under the Osage Nation Limited Liability Companied Act. (Supernaw)
ONCR 15-09, A Resolution to adopt the Articles of Operation for the limited liability company, Tallgrass Economic Development, LLC, to be
formed under the Osage Nation Limited Liability Companied Act. (Supernaw)
Good. Glad someone is paying attention to the upcoming Spring Session starting tomorrow morning with new spending bills for money they don't even have. The powers that be running this government are wanting to build hotels on some of the other casino properties and who knows what the financing will look like. Undoubtedly with terms and conditions that are unfavorable with a hefty line of credit available to help them get into trouble like the new campus with ugly buildings no one but the egomaniacs running this government even want. The two hotels at Ponca City and Skiatook are eating them alive just like some of us warned them they would do but they never listen and are so ego-diminished by other Tribes and what they've got, also eating them alive too but never mind that, they are rabid to build hotels at a cost they can't afford with financing that they won't be able to pay for that will eat them under the table and destroy all sources of revenue until the bank takes over like it has in the past with other Tribes. They're already playing a shell game with at both casinos at Ponca and Skiatook, moving money around on the balance sheets to make it look like they are doing better than they really are. Congress is too ignorant, lazy or shiftless to even bother to look closely into the matter or even care and soon it will be the Osage LLC all over again. You can't sell either the TED LLC or the Osage LLC here. Good money after bad and the that Super Board is already going to have the same inept flunkees and inferior appointments to this one who can easily be controlled by the Chief chewing up more of our money unnecessarily. We were told and sold the lie that there would be aces on this board not dullards who never look at anything too closely, never challenge what the organization is doing and are never responsible or accountable for anything. These Super Board appointees need to be required at their own personal expense to pay for a bond into the millions of dollars each before they are appointed and confirmed by the Osage Congress to make sure we get our money back if they fail to protect our money to one degree or another like every other member of these money glutinous enterprise boards have done in the past. I think all of them need to be required to be personally bonded by Osage Nation law from today forward. Let's see how fast they scatter off these boards if this is one of the requirements to qualify to be placed on or to remain on any and all of our enterprise boards and commissions.
DeleteCongress before you make any decision, these are business decisions when spending comes to mind so should you have the interest of the greater collective The Osage, the constituency, and do the diligence that is required. We ne e d to ask ourselves why another NON-PROFIT? What will be the Net income and who benefits and so forth, internal and external controls, risks and so forth...but non the less take what is happening with the industry and know this will reflect on our numbers at the Casino's. ..time to cut the umbilical cord on spending...
DeleteNew Regular Congreessional Session Calendar informtion is located at https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/who-we-are/congress-legislative-branch/calendar
DeleteSee also https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/who-we-are/congress-legislative-branch/sessions
DeleteThe Osage Congressional Session Tracker for legislation introduced so far is located at https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/content_link/WTM2KyyqJvT2fmVuXsxzQU1Slkz1QZgcHmpQAObubTF6zBa2wHOcGTDax0Z7HInS?dl=1
DeleteLive as it happens https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/multimedia/live-media
DeleteOOOO... Good idea to have OFPR come in on a spot basis to look at construction project spending but in a very defensive way, Shannon Edwards leapt right in with a motion to initiate another committee to oversee suggestions to the Congress where OFPR and Congressional oversight are concerned. More like a committee to get in the way and derail it. Why are you always so afraid of anyone looking in on spending where the OFPR and other audits are concerned Shannon? What have you got to hide? Did you catch the Chief's speech yesterday where he pandered to all Osage Nation members and then went right back to talk about programs and spending that again benefits only in-Osage County members and other non-Osages. All Tribal funding spent should be appropriated for and spent on Osages Only and Osages all over the country included. Nineteen Million dollars -- $19,000,000 -- from Federal programs is being spent on in-Osage County Osages and they see enough money spent on them that benefits them without additional appropriations and more Tribal spending on them alone. This is not fair and it is wrong and must be changed as soon as possible. We are being cheated out of our rightful benefits and representation under the Constitution. The AG should look into this and complaints should be made for unethical behavior as it concerns spending bias on the part of our apparent segregational Osage Congress.
ReplyDeleteOFPR is supposed to be like the Government Accountability Office of the U.S. Congress and they have broad powers to go in and look at what the Federal government is doing whenever they want. You place restraints, you hogtie the Osage Congress's ability to stop the same spending abuses that went on when the two Casinos were being constructed for $30 million more than they should have been.
DeleteDually do I agree at the Chiefs speech yesterday, and did he insult my intelligence yesterday, yes Chief you have Osage Sister and Brothers that live outside Osage Co. who voted for you Sir...and mind you Sir only 15% and even if that live in Osage Co...that breaks down to what 2800 compared to the greater majority 19000....give or take. I find it unethical to have pandered to someone in Congress ( Shannon Edwards ) Friends, the America for Scholarships Services when we could train and handle this program at a cheeper cost to the Constituency, not saying this company not capable. If any of you read any of their short dissertation would understand what I am talking about...Sir you may speak over those who are front and center but I here you loud and clearly..Now what was the Financial Revenue increase for 2013 from the Casino's? What was the percentage 1.9% What I am saying is your economy back home is flat lining and revenue will drop in tbe Casino's, just a Domino Effect. 19000000, from Federal Grants to support 2800 Osages..So your speech did not impress as much as your Ego did...
DeleteThe GAO can go anywhere in the U.S. government that the Congress appropriates money including any branch of government. Why hasn't the OFPR been missioned by law to do the same already and separation of powers here in the Osage government just won't cut it. I checked with a member of Congress in Pawhuska and he said that Shannon was not defensive and was trying to create a committee that will do good. Why they need a task force committee rather than an amendment to the law that created the OFPR is still unclear to me.
DeleteSee what you think at https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/who-we-are/congress-legislative-branch/sessions
DeleteI listened too. I thought the OFPR could go anywhere in the Executive Branch and that's what it was created for, otherwise, why would Jim Gray have thrown everything legal he had at it to stop its existence when he was Chief?
DeleteCongress as I said before needs to close the door on the Loopholes Lawywers use...or just right as equally create legislation that would prevent..do the diligence required by law and the Oath you were sworn by. Is that so hard to do and that goes for the same for the OFPR as well..Redundancies cost.
DeleteThis matching grant from Tribal funds is precisely what I'm talking about:
DeleteONCA 15-50, An Act to establish the Osage Nation Matching Grant Fund; to authorize and appropriate five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) to the fund; and to provide an alternate effective date. (Pratt)
This is exactly why we don't have a per-cap because of the way they move our money around and figure out ways to come up with legislation to squirrel it away from those of us who really need it. Meanwhile, who is it getting tanked and high on our money?
Cut the merit 3% bonus "entitlement" for the employees who never answer the phone, never show up on time, and leave throughout the day at will rather than cut benefits for the Osage people. Buh to all of you on Congress who want to cut our Osage member benefits. Stop complaining about the new Osage Nation members / how dare you? / and stop hiring out of HR, Miss HR Masters Degree Buffalohead, those employees who do not even deserve to receive a paycheck from the Osage Nation!!!!!!!! BUH!!!!!!!!
DeleteHow many damn property funds do they need with this crazy self-agenda-ed government?
DeleteCapital Asset and Improvement Fund
Create a real property purchase fund / another one?
Osage Commercial Property Fund
https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/sites/default/files/event-brochures/Commerce%20and%20Economic%20Development%20Meeting%20Revised%20Notice%204-8-15.pdf
That Buffalohead is sure proving to be the enemy of the Osage people, isn't she?
DeleteLike the Chief said. The Osage government is here to serve the Osage people, not those who work for the Osage government and not just those Osage members who live and work in Osage County.
DeleteWow, to poster @ 8:49 am, I have been in support of the matching grant from the get go. Congress needs to stop pandering to special interest. Osage is waking up...
DeleteStart thinking direct services as your first and absolute top priority Alice Bufffalohead and not indirect services or anything else from now on. BTW, what's all this scuttlebutt about the new Pawhuska Arbor being a total monstroshity?
DeleteMore eye-popping numbers without the money to spend on them --->>>
Deletehttp://osagenews.org/en/article/2015/04/09/money-tight-congress-considers-dipping-permanent-fund/
Sure its a monstrosity, a mmonstrosity of Capital went to it....
DeleteGOOD POST from Jim Ryan at his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/234024393278360/?ref=ts&fref=ts --->>>
ReplyDeleteOn April 17, 2014, Chief BigHorse signed ONCA 13-21 into law. This bill allowed the health balances to carry over for three years.
“ Osage Nation member benefits under this act shall carry over from calendar year to calendar year up to a maximum amount equal to three years of benefits at the benefit rate for that recipient. “
The intent of this bill is clearly for the health benefit to roll over for three years.
The proposed Health Benefit Act amendment bill ONCA 15-28 states;
“ Osage Nation member benefits under this act shall carry over from calendar year to calendar year up to a maximum amount equal to two years of benefits at the benefit rate for that recipient. “
The intent of this bill is clearly to limit the carry over to two years. This will be hard on families and individuals, who may have been planning a major medical expense like; braces for their children, purchasing prosthesis, or an elective surgery based on the three year carry over in ONCA 13-21. This bill would be the first cut in benefits to the Osage people since our new government was established. It appears that Congress will use 5 million dollars of the extra 6 million given to our Nation by gaming this year for construction expenses while attempting to cut the health benefit to the Osage people. This is unconscionable and we need to speak out against it. Below is a short simple letter that I have written to Congress members opposing this cut in health benefits. Feel free to copy it and send it to them, or write your own message opposing this cut in benefits.
Dear Congress Member,
I am respectfully asking you to oppose ONCA 15-28, An act to amend the benefit act to change the carry over balance to two years and vote against it in committee, or session. This bill will hurt the Osage people and should not be made law.
Yours Truly,
Jim Ryan Osage
Congressional email list
jjech@osagecongress-nsn.gov, rshaw@osagecongress-nsn.gov, jmaker@osagecongress-nsn.gov, ohamilton@osagecongress-nsn.gov, Supernaws@sbcglobal.net, abuffalohead@osagecongress-nsn.gov, sedwards@osagecongress-nsn.gov, amason@osagecongress-nsn.gov, rwalker@osagecongress-nsn.gov, mwhitehorn@osagecongress-nsn.gov, jnorris@osagecongress-nsn.gov, apratt@osagecongress-nsn.gov
You need to add the Chief so he won't sign this bill if it passes:
DeleteRE: ONCA 15-28
gstandingbear@osagenation-nsn.gov
Cut the special interest out of the picture, stop the Construction and so forth...its starts at home at Gov.Spending not the Health Benefit program...man this is just unbelievable is a understatement.
DeleteFacebook web page for the United Osages of Southern California:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1464299717178210/?ref=ts&fref=ts
Don't forget --->>>
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1549480308646845/
Important inforrmation:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/04/us/as-quakes-rattle-oklahoma-fingers-point-to-oil-and-gas-industry.html
Good-O. I agree with S. Edwards that these so called Courtesy bill sponsorship pieces of legislation that come into committee need to be read, studied and vetted by the sponsor before they introduce these bills to the Osage Congress in the first place. Saying it's a courtesy sponsorship and, "I don't know anything about it." won't cut it period. Why aren't these members of the Osage Congress earning our votes and their position as our representatives by bringing in a point by point written Legislative Summary with every bill they submit that is sent to Committee? Be lazy on your own time Congress, not the time we are paying for when you are in Session and in Committee. You do have to prepare for what you are doing while in our employ. You can't just blow in there and hope it all goes well.
ReplyDeleteIf thtat's what yourr expecting you won'tt see a bill of any type introduced to that Osage Cngreess again.
DeleteI couldn't agree more with you on tnis subject, ....like I said Our Congress members need to be presented with the facts through in and out any piece of legislation that concerns special interest and private parties and sponsorships...but the problem lies in the due process which Congress is sworn to uphold..if they do not want to see the dynamics change in Congress and keep status quo they need to look and express they want the pros and cons to each piece of legislation that is introduced.
DeleteWTH! 20 minutes away is Fairfax where $3 million is already being spent on a Center. This bill has just come up in Committtee:
ReplyDeleteConsideration of ONCA 15-35, An Act to an appropriation in the amount of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) to Tribal Development and Land Acquisition for project costs to build the Hominy Wellness Center; and to establish an alternate effective date. (Supernaw). Can't they take a 20 minute drive for a wellness visit from Hominy to Fairfax? This is a perfect example of how one small area is receiving all the Tribal funding that should go to your per-cap.
Oh i couldn't agree more cut this bill to shreds. CONGRESS do your job...
DeleteIsn't the only fiscally mature solution for these members of the Osage Congress to table each and every bill for appropriation that comes into any Congressional Committee that doesn't involve a direct service to the Osage People above the $40,000,000 cap until the Fall Session of the next year?
DeleteIs it my imagination or money that was earmarked to go somewhere else, moving around the round table sorta speak? And you are right about the Fall Session. Sponsor a bill that supports A PER-CAP.
DeleteMake that a $50,000,000 cap, right? The appropriations committee voted to change the revenue projections upward without sound reason to do so. Not enough money? No problem. Just raise the revenue projections. Beats having to hold the line on spending.
DeleteRight...it is never good to hear that they need to go into the permanent fund....remember their is Constuents will push for tighter controls so this doe not happen in the future, had the Appropriation Commitee did there diligence need to rethink how they came to the conclusion this was ethical by law? Most importantly the Chief is the last stop.
DeleteWhere did all this permanent fund money come from? Maybe from overbudgetting year after year by + or - $5 million that should have gone to us in a per-cap??????
DeleteExactly!
DeleteSee this article for important scholarship information:
ReplyDeletehttp://osagenews.org/en/article/2015/03/31/important-information-osage-scholarship-recipients/
UGH!
ReplyDeletehttp://osagenews.org/en/article/2015/04/07/osage-llc-board-hires-ceo/
Where's the money going to come from to pay his salary?
DeleteAnd where's his background in Federal contracting? The tribal businesses and ANCs which are successful in Federal contracting hire people with experience in that space. These contracts are bound by myriad regulations, and failure to comply can result in suspension, debarment, and civil and criminal penalties. At least Leese had experience in the Federal market.
DeleteThey've been turning over rocks for ages and haven't been able to find a really qualified person who is fool enough to step into the mess that's been created. A quick search of public information would make most run the other way and one look at the books would chase off anyone with the good sense that God gave a crazy goose.
So bottom line, what? We've been telling them to shut the damn thing down for the last three years at least. The people who fund this mess as you call it are responsible and if you want to get results, file a complaint with the new AG against the Osage Congress for unethical funding and fiscal negligence well beyond that of any reasonable public official with the responsibility for public funds and you will see this tortured chapter in Osage Nation history come to a very quick termination, I guarantee you.
DeleteThat's about to happen, be careful what you wish for.
DeleteThis isnt a wish. It's justice for the Osage people who deserve a government that holds it's elected officials accountable for ficscal negligence and irresponsibiity.
DeleteI'm glad somebodys got the guts to say it.
DeleteWhy is a Deputy Reservist 73 years old allowed to continue to be on a task force? Whats up Tulsa? Tulsa Commissioner?
ReplyDeleteReally think a phenomenon is going to take away stupidity, you have it all wrong especially the voices were recorded as well, does not bode well for the City of Tulsa....or the Chief.
DeleteCultural Division Director for $85,000 salary when others know what they are doing already? Good question Speaker Whitehorn. To marry three Cultural divisions together? Start at $40,000 and don't even think about making us feel guilty about less. There is no one in the Osage Tribal community that knows what you need them to fforr a PHD who knows whatt tthey doo who is already employed by and in place already. No PHD is going to know what they need to know about tthe culture of the Osagre going in anyway. Stupid patronage job and we arent fooled
ReplyDeleteone bit. Get rid of this positon now!!!!!!!!!! If Vann Bighorse was hired to do this very job in the first place and he isn't doing his job, fire him and get someone who will. Don't keep adding management layers when those in management will only resent them. If control is what the Chief wants, have him sit down witth these people running things currrenty and establish it to get the departments to cooperate with one another. If they won't, fire them.
Yeah Chief. You wanted this job to manage this Tribal government so start managing your employees and stop firing them. ONCA 15-35? I say to hell with it and your stupid patronage job. Get the Director of Operations to oversee this because this is what that job is supposed to be doing anyway.
DeleteCandidates can't show up to be interviewed by the Cultural Committee and they approve them anyway? Charles Red Corn and
DeleteRichard Luttrell. Why do they pass through these people without properly vetting them in Commitee?
I'm hearing that the Chief is putting on boards including that new central control board what looks like political supporters for the next election, political hacks from the past, and people with no business background or experience just to be the Chief after the 2018 election.
DeleteNo worries why so concerned this early? Time will tell.
DeleteGovernment OPs Committee is soon to meet and it look like Congressman Walker is trying to reshufffle the deck with a + $5 million appropriation to Government Operations. What is going on? Is this more money being appropriated for a Osage Nation workers who can't be bothered to come to work and answer the phone? Plus they are reducing direct services to the Osage People with one hand while they are giving the bureaucracy more money. WRONG THING TO DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.dropbox.com/s/ppd7l39g04k9kq6/GO_4-15-15_NoticeREVISED3.pdf?dl=0
I also heard about three weeks ago that 30 other Osages had complaints about trying to get though to a live body at Osage Nation.
DeleteONCA 15-38.
DeleteVery wrong thing to do!!!!!! Chief wake up and smell the flowers, short cuts never work and always end up costing more....What is Congressman Walker smoking?
DeleteThe OLLC Enterprise Board has unanimously voted to form Tallgrass Economic Development LLC. They currently claim the transfer of assets is only to rebrand and distance the business from the OLLC history, but presentations in previous commerce committee sessions make clear that the concept was originally to move OPDG, OIS and other assets to avoid potential legal liabilities.
ReplyDeleteThe Enterprise Board asked the SBA local office for an opinion on forming a new business and transferring the two 8(a)/HUBZone companies (i.e., the "assets"). The SBA representatives are expressly prohibited from giving legal advice.
The Enterprise Board has failed to seek legal advice in this matter. Shannon Edwards has expressed concerns about losing the 8(a) status of the two companies, and she has valid concerns.
The SBA is unaware that the composition of the current Enterprise Board does not meet the regulatory requirements to demonstrate control by the tribe. It is possible for the SBA to waive this requirement, but only when the company has a formal training plan in place to grow the expertise of tribal members to assume control. The OLLC has never developed such a plan, having instead relied upon having a majority of the board members be Osage. This changed with last year's appointments, resulting in two of the five members (40%) being Osage.
As to the 8(a) entities being at risk, they already are. Transfer of these companies would not remedy the problems. I'm not going to discuss the nature of these issues, but it stems from on-going mismanagement.
The Commerce and Economic Development Committee is placing too much confidence in Dave Stewart's experience and faith in Jim Parris' statements. They are being given foolish advice and fed disinformation. If they would just review the OLLC and subsidiary operating agreements, the contracts between these entities and third parties, the actual operations of these companies, and the governing Federal laws and regulations then the risk would be evident.
The absolute worst thing that could come about is to reorganize all of the business entities under a common board, as it would expose the assets of other entities to the liabilities of OLLC and its subsidiaries.
They need good legal advice. If Tallgrass is formed and don't pay fair value for the subsidies including the "know-how" then it could be viewed as a altar ego of the LLC. This could get the assets of both and the tribe being treated as one in the same. Are they thinking about shutting down the LLC? Where will funding for Tallgrass come from? How long have they been planning this? Why wasn't it in the annual plan? Too many unanswered questions.
DeleteOK. 8(a) entities were acquired. How? The answer is that the Osage LLC purchased them. Suggested solution: sell the assets of the Osage LLC to Tallgrass Economic Development LLC and be done with it. OK?
DeleteJust think about what a horror it would have been if the ON Congress had actually given the Osage, LLC the $20 million that former Board member, Jonathan -- Harvard Man -- Taylor and former CEO Carol Leese asked for as a capital contribution a few years back. Why haven't these two been sued by the Osage Nation for the $18-99 million of the Osage people's money they lost?
DeleteBig correction: $18-19 million
DeleteThe 8(a) entities weren't acquired, created by the LLC and had to jump thru hoops to get status.
DeleteWater rights issue and money for legal actions:
ReplyDeleteConsideration of ONCA 15-41, An Act to provide an appropriation to the Attorney General of the Osage Nation for fiscal year 2015 in the amount of one million two hundred fifty five thousand six hundred forty six dollars ($1,255,646). (Whitehorn)
Got to be kidding. Really Whitehorn...how bout this we hold the Gov. Ops and the Chief accountable to a case sure to lose..
DeleteSo we have to keep Jeff Jones on with full salary at the same time we have a new AG being paid $65,000? WTH? Somebody at the very highest level screwed up big time here. $130,000 a year for the two of them at the same time? I remembered that Jones got that Federal Tribal Assistant U.S. Attorney designation that it might cause a problem to make this change to a new AG and sure enough. This is on you Chief and you alone. --->>>
Deletehttp://osagenews.org/en/article/2015/01/12/jeff-jones-named-tribal-special-assistant-us-attorney/
Today's spending agenda with the GOV/OPS Committe:
DeleteConsideration of ONCA 14-62, An Act to amend the open records Act at 15 ONC § 8-102 to include Osage Nation enterprises, including limited liability companies, corporations and any other business entity of the Osage Nation in the definition of a government entity; and to establish an alternate effective date. (Supernaw)
Consideration of ONCA 15-41, An Act to provide an appropriation to the Attorney General of the Osage Nation for fiscal year 2015 in the amount of one million two hundred fifty five thousand six hundred forty six dollars ($1,255,646). (Whitehorn)
Consideration of ONCA 15-42, An Act to authorize and appropriate two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) to the Treasury for debt payments already distributed to the Master Campus Plan Loan; to ratify the Master Campus Loan debt payments made by the Treasurer; and to establish an alternate effective date. (Supernaw)
Consideration of ONCA 15-43, An Act to amend 15 ONC § 2-304 to remove the requirement of five (5) years government fund accounting experience; and to establish an alternate effective date. (Buffalohead)Consideration of ONCA 14-62, An Act to amend the open records Act at 15 ONC § 8-102 to include Osage Nation enterprises, including limited liability companies, corporations and any other business entity of the Osage Nation in the definition of a government entity; and to establish an alternate effective date. (Supernaw)
Consideration of ONCA 15-41, An Act to provide an appropriation to the Attorney General of the Osage Nation for fiscal year 2015 in the amount of one million two hundred fifty five thousand six hundred forty six dollars ($1,255,646). (Whitehorn)
Consideration of ONCA 15-42, An Act to authorize and appropriate two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) to the Treasury for debt payments already distributed to the Master Campus Plan Loan; to ratify the Master Campus Loan debt payments made by the Treasurer; and to establish an alternate effective date. (Supernaw)
Consideration of ONCA 15-43, An Act to amend 15 ONC § 2-304 to remove the requirement of five (5) years government fund accounting experience; and to establish an alternate effective date. (Buffalohead) |LESS EXPERIENCE HERE THAN BEFORE? WTH? Didn't we get in trouble here already with an unqualified Treasurer who didn't know enough to pour pee out off a boot before he put it on? Figuratively speaking of course.|
Buffalohead says there are no dollars and cents in any of her bills. Nor is there any sense either. You didn't check with the Osage, LLC on 8(a) contacts and its application before you put forward this one? --->>>
DeleteConsideration of ONCA 15-51, An Act to restrict employment contracts for executives, professional services and consultants to a term of two (2) years; to exempt vendor contracts from this Act; to amend 14 ONC § 12-105(D)(1) as amended, to make contracting limits consistent with this Act; and to establish an alternate effective date. (Buffalohead)
Are you kidding me Alice?
An unnecessary salary of $5,416.66 a month plus benefits for the old AG we shouldn't have to pay if the right people had been paying attention to what they were doing. Sick.
DeleteOsages for fiscal responsibility United we stand who the heck are they fooling not this Osage.. Chief get a Grip...
DeleteThe Rules and Ethics Commitee meeting for today has been cancelled. ON Congress will meet Friday at 8 a.m. due to the 10 a.m. meeting of the Mineral Council:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/who-we-are/congress-legislative-branch/calendar
Agenda for today's session https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/content_link/1P6bMauMHXElwjzczX9w8nfMo3Kofg1Ai9tUfHQ2uupHc38VQgYxVQKBc3RR9DFN?dl=1
ReplyDeleteIn brief recess to correct committee reports that were not read first by Shannon Edwards before she entered the chamber.
DeleteOsage Blog Conversation continues at http://osageblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/conversation-april-2015.html
ReplyDelete