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Osage Tribal Council Report Card |
Voting Statistics Summary
This is important to let each Tribal member know how the person(s) they voted for are doing as a representative of the Osage Tribe. Each Tribal Council member's performance is not only directly related to each and every Osage regardless of age, tribal membership or affiliations, or blood quantum, it is also evaluated and acted upon by representatives of the BIA as well as the members of the United States Government Senate and Congress who ultimately are responsible for how the Osage Tribe will be considered and treated in the future.
The chart shown above and continued on in the OTC Reports 2003, shows an undeniable trend of current Osage Tribal Council members to merely "pass" anything that comes before them without any serious discussion or evaluation of the issues presented. It is a well known fact that no two people can be placed in the same room and be expected to agree on every issue brought in front of them. It is a basic part of our history that at times, the serious division of opinion between the people of the Osage Tribe has in the past caused complete separation of the Tribe as a whole, for example the separation into the Big and Little Osages due to disagreements between Tribal leaders. Yet, suddenly, with the advent of a whole new Tribal Council, (the only member re-elected being Camille Pangburn who may now very well be not able to continue her duties), nearly every issue is agreed upon unanimously by the entire council with little if any discussion, total agreement between people from different regions and Tribal entities. This trend can only be taken as a lack of taking responsibility and a desire to "go with the flow" by the current Council membership. This does not show in any way a true belief or "standing up" for what one feels is best for all Osages that the Council member was voted into office to provide. Campaign promises are not being met or even attempted by the current Council and many have been forgotten entirely.
The current trends of the present Osage Tribal Council must be changed very soon. If not by each Council member's own initiative then by the Osage People. It must be understood and remembered that the Great White Father is watching closely. The moneys owed the tribe will never be given to "a child who takes no responsibility for its actions" or a Tribal leadership that cannot show the personal fortitude to act in the tribe's best interest regardless of repercussions. Other important issues regarding the Osage Tribe as a whole will be stepped on and brushed aside by the white government's leaders if our own Tribal leaders are not capable of providing the leadership and protection they were voted into office to provide. The 30th Osage Tribal Council found out the hard way about the repercussions of acting in an unpopular yet "for the good of the whole" role as they were one by one voted out of office to be replaced by "new blood". But by replacing that which was at times unpopular, the tribe is now led by those whose performance to date shows an apparent fear of taking on the responsibility of making an unpopular decision and who are unwilling to ruffle any feathers whether they be of the Osage people or of the U.S. Government. Good government requires backbone and steadfastness to one's belief of what is best for the majority. Ultimately, if the white government can indeed at some time in the future refuse to recognize the Osage Tribe as an "Official" Tribe and Sovereign Entity, of course they will do so. That would be just one less thorn in the side of the U.S. Government. It would be much easier for them if they simply could refuse to listen to any matters or issues regarding the tribe. No more moneys to be accounted for or disbursed. Basically, no more Osage Indian problems and one less "pesky, loud-mouthed Indian nation" out of the way. Please do not be so naive as to believe in any "special relationships" between the Osage Tribe and the U.S. Government. These "special relationships" are in your eyes only, not those of the U.S. Government. Remember where we were and what we owned as a tribe 200 years ago as compared to where we are and what we own today. Remember who is responsible for that change in Tribal status as well as our basic pride as a united and strong people. Take a minute to project into the future what we as a people will have if our rights, lifestyles, properties, etc., are not protected by those we have chosen to protect us.
Proper and effective Tribal Leadership is crucial to the continuance of the Osage Tribe as a whole. The supervision of the performance of the duties given the Tribal Council members is the responsibility of every Osage and must be taken in all seriousness if our people are to continue.
Standing by quietly and allowing this trend to continue by the present Tribal Council can only result in serious damage being done the Osage as a Tribe and in the eyes of the U.S. Government who can only make their judgements and policies regarding the Osage people as they are represented by these elected Tribal officials.