I am a full blood Osage, born and raised in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, in the traditions of the Osages.  My parents were the late Assistant Chief Edward Red Eagle, Sr., and the late Virginia Logan Red Eagle.  My paternal grandparents were original allottees Paul and Cecilia Red Eagle from Pawhuska, Oklahoma, and my maternal grandparents were Roman and Mary Logan from Hominy, Oklahoma.

 

My lineage is the Tzi-zho Clan, which is referred to as the Sky People, but, in the Osage culture Tsi-zho mean Eagle Clan.  My dad, Chief Edward Red Eagle, Sr., gave me my name Tsi-zho-zi (Young Chief).  My mothers' Osage people come from the Wa-tian-ka Band.

 

In the early 1800's, our People sickly and ill, were told they were to be moved from their Kansas home to a new land in Oklahoma Territory.  So, our Osage People sent Wa-tian-ka, my clan grandfather, to scout this new land.  When he arrived, he prayed and was given a vision of dark liquid coming out of the ground.  He did not understand this vision, but he knew that it was good.  So, he returned to his People and advised them that the move would be good for his People.  Around 1881 to 1882, approximately 1000 full-blood Osages, plus traders, made the final journey to the Osage Reservation.  Because of Wa-tian-ka's vision, I believe this land was entrusted to our Osage People by God.

 

I attended Oklahoma State University for two years before transferring to the Community College of Denver, where I received certification in radiology technology.  Afterward, I attended Oklahoma University Health Science Center and received my training as a nuclear technologist.  Upon the completion of my clinical training at Hillcrest Hospital of Tulsa, Oklahoma, I became certified in nuclear medicine technology, which led to my assuming the position of administrator for the department of nuclear medicine at Hillcrest Hospital until 1991.

 

In 1986, I became an ordained minister, licensed thought the Victory Christian Center, and I am a member of the Native American Church.  As an ordained minister, while I continued to work under the contract in the medical field, I worked to serve the spiritual needs of the people.

 

In 1999, I was recruited by Cardiology of Tulsa, Inc., to perform diagnostic testing and research as a nuclear cardiology technologist.  In 2006, I retired from the medical field, and on July 1, 2006, I was inaugurated as the Assistant Principal Chief of the Osage Nation to serve my Osage People.

 

I have served as committeeman for the In Lon Shka ceremonial dances of the Osage for the Pawhuska District since I was a young man.  Additionally, I am honored to be heir and succession to past chiefs, Paula Paul Red Eagle and Chief Edward Red Eagle, Sr., who have lead our Nation.

 

 23 years ago in 1883, our Osage ancestors said it would be the last time they would move, and they prayed for a home where they could stay. Although our People were sickly and weak, they prayed, and God led them to what today is known as Osage County. In 1906 our ancestors faced the challenge of protecting our sovereignty in relationship to our land and minerals estate and with being integrated with the outside world. They worked hard towards building our relationship with the U.S. Government. Today, it is of vital importance to our Osage People that we continue to protect our sovereignty; it must be kept. To me, sovereignty means that God has entrusted us with this land, which includes our oil, minerals, water, and the enterprises, such as our tobacco industry. We must protect this land of the Great Osage Nation. Remember – our ancestors are watching us and how we face and handle today’s challenges. Let us honor them.

 The building of our Osage Nation, paving the way for a successful future, and protecting our assets and sovereignty rely on strong leaders. It is my desire to work with the newly elected Chief and Congress in harmony to build a strong future for our Osage People. Since the election in June, I have been working diligently with both the Chief and Congress with that goal in mind.

 Four days after the inauguration Congress was to select a Speaker of the House. The vote resulted in a tie between Eddie Red Eagle and Archie Mason. As the Acting Speaker of the House, I called for a second vote, which resulted in another tie. Because Eddie Red Eagle is my brother, and I wanted to avoid any appearance of nepotism, I withdrew and asked the floor for suggestions for breaking the tie. While many expected me to immediately vote in favor of my brother Eddie Red Eagle, I could not in good conscience do so. Both Eddie Red Eagle and Archie Mason are good men with the best interests of the Osage people in mind. How could I choose between the two of them without it looking like I was playing favorites? A suggestion was made that both names be placed in a hat and that a name be drawn. Mark Simms donated his big hat and Archie Mason’s name was drawn, making him the first Speaker of the House in the history of the new Osage Nation. 

 Since I have been in office I have been busy representing the Osage Nation in my capacity as Assistant Chief. I have attended numerous meetings around the country. I attended a Direct Service Tribal Program meeting in Shakopee, MN, and an Intertribal Health Board meeting Oklahoma City. I was asked attend the Oklahoma Pandemic Influenza Summit in Oklahoma City where I presented a speech on “The Importance of Tribal Planning from the Perspective of a Direct Service Tribal Leader. I am proud to say I was quoted by the Oklahoma City Times newspaper and also on their website. In the later part of August I attended the National Intertribal Tax Alliance in Minnesota. Each morning I had the honor of performing a sacred opening ceremony beginning with a prayer and then offering spiritual guidance. The Soldier Creek Singers from the Pawhuska Osage Indian Camp Reservation closed the opening ceremony with the Flag Song and a prayer song. Chief Gray gave a presentation regarding the Osage Tribe and its compact issues with the state of Oklahoma. I have also assumed leadership of the Osage Nation health care programs. 

 September 5^th marked the opening day for the Hun Kah Session. I performed a cedar blessing to begin the Session. The Soldier Creek Singers from the Pawhuska Indian Camp Reservation closed the opening ceremony with the Flag Song and a prayer song. I then gave the opening prayer before the Congress began their official business.

 The past months have been a learning experience for me. For instance I have learned much regarding constitutional government and tribal infrastructure. I have watched the Chief and Congress learn as well. This is a new form of government for all of us and we are all feeling our way along sometimes. I believe Congress is progressing at about the right pace – cautiously. We all want to do the right thing and sometimes that means moving a little slower than we’d like. But the right thing does not always come easy or fast, so be patient with us as we try to be patient with ourselves.

 There are several things I would like to accomplish as Assistant Chief. Since I have assumed leadership of the Osage Nation health care programs, I would very much like to do an evaluation of our programs to see how well they function, how much money they spend, or save, or make. I believe red tape makes delivery of services to our people difficult and would like to find a way to streamline the process. I plan to ask the Oklahoma City Intertribal Health Board to assist in the data research necessary for the program evaluation. Once the evaluations are completed I would like to see what new programs need to be organized and implemented and get those programs started. I would also hope to create a unified Osage Health Care Program for all of the Osage people; a plan that encompasses everything for all ages from our newborns to our elders. Congress woman Debra Littleton has assumed the role of the Chair of the Osage Legislative Committee on Health and I will be working closely with her on all of these issues.

 I believe the Osage Nation is a great Nation and has been from the time of our ancestors. The leaders of our ancestors had a vision for the Osage Nation and I too have a vision of the Osage Nation and where it will be in 25 years. I see a strong, sovereign Nation that is completely self-sufficient; a Nation where the 1906 Mineral Estate Trust is still intact and bringing in revenue for our Osage people. I firmly believe in protecting the Mineral Estate as does the office of the Chief as well as Congress. I want the Osage people to have faith in their elected leaders regarding this; we all recognize the importance of the Mineral Estate Trust to the Osage people.