Geoffrey Standing Bear
Geoffrey Standing Bear | |
---|---|
Principal Chief of Osage Nation | |
Personal details | |
Residence(s) | Oklahoma, U.S. |
Alma mater | University of Tulsa, J.D. |
Profession | Attorney |
Geoffrey Standing Bear is Principal Chief of the Osage Nation headquartered in Pawhuska, Oklahoma in the Osage Hills. The executive branch is headed by a Principal Chief, followed by an Assistant Principal Chief. The current Principal Chief is Geoffrey Standing Bear, and Raymond Red Corn is the Assistant Principal Chief, who were both sworn in on July 2, 2014. Administrative offices also fall under this executive branch.[1]
Early life and education
Chief Standing Bear is a native Oklahoman who attended Bishop Kelley High School in Tulsa,Oklahoma and the University of Tulsa College of Law.[2]
Political career
Standing Bear took office as Principal Chief of the Osage Nation in 2014 after the previous chief, John D. Red Eagle was impeached.[3] Under his administration, the Osage Nation's landholdings have increased by more than 50,0000 acres, including the tribe's purchase of the 43,000 acre Bluestem Ranch in historic Osage territory from Ted Turner[4]. The tribe has also developed a $160 million casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma to be opened in summer of 2018, new educational and language preservation initiatives and two community centers. The tribe has also challenged the Oklahoma Attorney General's office with regard to tribal sovereignty and water/mineral rights. [5]
References
- ^ "Osage Nation holds inauguration for new chief and other leaders". Indianz.Com. 2014-07-03. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
- ^ Klein, John (8 January 2017). "The land of the Osage is coming home". Tulsa World. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ^ Lenzy, Krehbiel-Burton. "Pawhuska attorney Geoffrey Standing Bear takes office as Osage principal chief". Tulsa World. No. 3 July 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
- ^ "Standing Bear to seek re-election as Principal Chief". Pawhuska Journal-Capital. November 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ^ "Osage Nation Defends Sovereignty Over Water, Minerals". KOTV News on Six. 6 October 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2018.