These meetings are a chance for all members of the Osage Nation to become educated in the Strategic Planning Process, what it means and discover why it is important for individuals and the Nation as a whole. The meetings are designed to answer questions tribal members may have regarding the Strategic Plan and to show how they can each participate in the plan. Participation among the Osage people is necessary for the Strategic Plan to succeed. Priscilla Hokashe Iba, team of teams member, asks that all Osages come forward and participate, “It is important to know that this is the only way we can insure a good future for the Nation, and it is their opportunity for positive input. It is important for them to have an open mind to ideas. It is important that they know the thought processes and data that are going into ideas and plans. It is important for them to understand our reality, but not be afraid to dream, and make those dreams known.”
Each and every tribal member will have, at some point in the process, the opportunity to provide input and share their thoughts and ideas on determining the priorities of Osage Nation in 25 years. This is a chance for the individual voice of the people to be heard and potentially acted upon
. “What we’re going to do for the next generation of Osages, what decisions are we making today that are going to impact their lives twenty to twenty-five years from now? That becomes the motivation behind the Strategic Planning Initiative” said Principal Osage Chief Jim Gray.
There are plenty of opportunities to have your voice heard in this process, and plenty of ways to get involved.
David Conrad, Strategic Planning Committee member explains, “Tribal members will be able to participate in many ways. You can provide direct input, you could volunteer to host a meeting to discuss the written questionnaire among your local Osage community, you can write letters of encouragement to others urging everyone to participate, and you could serve as a driving force in your family to make sure they all participate.” Osages from across the United States will have, many for the first time, an opportunity to meet and discuss their vision for the Nation. For the first time, Osages in Texas will have the opportunity to participate with meetings in Dallas, and Houston. Osages within Oklahoma, but outside the reservation will have an opportunity at meetings in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Bartlesville, Ponca City, along with meetings within the Osage in Pawhuska, Grayhorse, Hominy, and Skiatook. There will also be meetings for out of State Osage members in New Mexico, Arizona, Southern California, and Northern California. Gregory Clavier, team of teams member and City manager for Carlsbad, California urges all Osages to come together for the Nation, “It is so very important to be involved in shaping the future of the Osage Nation. If the opportunity to participate in this process presents itself, get involved. It’s easy to sit and criticize, however it is more rewarding to be involved. Participation leads to understanding and understanding leads to success.”
After 100 years, the Osage Nation is embarking on a new journey. The Osage Nation is seeking the collective vision, wisdom and experience of all the Osage people. The Osage Nation Strategic Plan will be the guide for this journey. This strategic plan will guide the Nation for the first twenty five years of the next 100 years of Osage history.
Those who are elected by the Osage people recognize that developing a long-term vision now helps guide all aspects of the Osage people’s lives at this critical stage of Tribal development; the task force and its partners are taking on the job with great care and consideration. The strategic plan is rooted in Tribal self-determination and the force behind the plan comes from the Osage people. The Osage Nation Congress approved the Osage Nation Strategic Planning Act on September 28, 2006 in their first session of the first democratically elected Osage Congress. The purpose of the Act is to create and fund a comprehensive nationwide strategic planning initiative by identifying needs and creating goals toward formulating a 25 year plan for Osage Nation. The Act calls for eight phases with specific tasks to be accomplished to assure success; with plans to conclude the end of 2007. The Strategic Planning Task Force is responsible for executing this act, and has dedicated themselves a process that is centered around a community envisioned 25 year plan.
Osage Congressman Eddy Red Eagle campaigned as a champion of Strategic Planning, because he saw the benefits of a careful strategic planning process while working as an executive for CITGO Petroleum. The oil company was moments away from shutting down, and the strategic planning process was launched as a last effort to save the company. The results were clear, a rework of the company made it the largest retailer of gasoline in the world. Red Eagle sees the opportunity for this as necessary for the Osage Nation. “The tribe has never had, to my knowledge, a sound, consistent, strategic plan. These are extremely difficult to make. Strategic planning for the tribe in a long term ten, fifteen, twenty year plan will take the personalities out of the formula. That the Tribe is not dependent on a single individual, it is dependant on all contributions into the plan and then everyone gets behind the plan and supports it and works towards its successful accomplishments. The strategic plan that we’re going to be creating will take every single element of the tribe… all critical questions have to be asked in a critical thinking manner, and that is what strategic planning brings to us. We must do this.”
This is an opportunity for all Osages to look at the future and envision what kind of Nation they want to pass on to their children. “Strategic plan needs input from the people. The people need to voice their hopes, dreams and aspirations in this plan, not only for themselves, but for the Nation to which they belong,” said Congressman Raymond Red Corn, “We need a well-defined idea where we want to be five, ten, or 25 years from now. Without vision, we will continue to tread water economically while other tribal nations travel a well-marked road to success.”
While the long-term vision remains unclear at this time, creating a map with defined directions will guide Tribal leaders as they move the Nation forward. Congressperson Debra Littleton says this is the Osage plan, an All Osage plan, “I believe the most important thing for the Osage people to know is the fact that this plan is “their plan”. They can truly take part in designing their future as a nation.” All Osage members have the right and obligation to participate in designing this all-encompassing plan. Any and every Osage member is encouraged to attend the public meetings process in the month of February. The purpose of this strategic plan is to help the Osage government better serve its people. Therefore, having the input and participation of as many Osage people possible will benefit the Nation as a whole.