Others refuse to offer
discussion or meaningful debate, preferring to rely on the dysfunctional and
personality-driven politics which this Nation has strived to outgrow. Others
exhibit this attitude by refusing to attend meetings or even whole sessions,
while still receiving compensation as an elected official. In each case, these
members of Congress are wasting the Nation’s time and money, and in so doing
show a blatant disregard for the Nation, its employees, and its citizens. These
are the same individuals who consider themselves the stewards of this Nation
and its resources, and who criticize others for allegedly wasting those same
resources. Their actions have cost the Nation, not only in dollars, but in
efficiency, productivity, and morale. They have shirked the opportunity to
improve the accountability of our programs and services, all the while lauding
themselves for their
Principal Chief's Message: The
Dangers of Indifference
May 17, 2010
EXECUTIVE
Last Thursday marked the culmination of ten days of wasted
time by the Osage Nation Congress. After nine days in special session, a
majority of Congress’ members blocked the passage of four bills into law. Each
of these bills was a significant component in this Nation’s structure, and
represented hundreds of hours of effort by dedicated Nation employees,
citizens, and hundreds of thousands of dollars of expert consultation. All of
those resources were squandered by members of Congress who have exhibited an
attitude that can only be described as defiant indifference.
The four pieces of legislation considered during this most
recent special session were not new, nor were they unfamiliar to Congress or
the Osage people. ONCR 10-18 ratified rules and procedures for the Osage Nation
Membership Department, which for the last four years has been operating under
an outdated and inadequate set of rules from the days of the Tribal Council. That
resolution has been languishing in committee for over two years, while the
Nation’s membership has grown by thousands. ONCA 10-54 created the Division of
Lands, Commerce, and Public Safety, which would have been the fifth
administrative division created by Congress. Four other divisions have been
created by law, including one in the most recent Hun-kah Session. ONCA 10-55
created a performance and management tool for our departments and programs,
aimed at reducing waste and inefficiency within the Osage Nation government.
ONCA 10-56 established a merit-based system of compensation for the Nation’s
employees. This bill represented by itself over $150,000 in research and
development that has been ongoing since the Nation reorganized its government
in 2006 and included a mandate for a merit system in Article VI of the Osage
Constitution.
Anyone who has followed the events of the last nine days of
session can hardly be surprised by the outcome. We have seen members of
Congress construe their rules in new and unprecedented ways in order to impede
the process of bills. We have heard minimal objections to the bills which were
failed last week; indeed, amendments were offered and passed to supposedly
improve these bills, only to see some of the same members of Congress who
offered those amendments unabashedly and illogically vote “no” on the final
product. No substantive debate was offered, and no alternatives were presented
to counter what experts told us was the best model by which to make our
government more effective, more efficient, and more responsive to the needs of
the Osage people whom we serve. Thus, it is hard to say whether the nay-saying
majority of Congress is guided by any discernible principle in their
opposition. Their only allegiance appears to be to indifference and apathy; to
an obstinate refusal to fulfill their function as the elected legislators of
this Nation. Some exhibit this behavior by voting against bills which have been
extensively researched and carefully written. own commitment to accountability.
Less than a month remains until the 2010 General Election. I
implore each and every Osage, regardless of political affiliations, to
carefully consider how you will cast your vote. Whether you agree with my words
or not, choose candidates who will contribute positively to the development of
this Nation. Choose candidates who will ground their choices in substance and reasoned
objection, rather than apathy or willful ignorance of the issues. Choose
candidates who are willing to have their own opinions and views challenged, and
who are prepared to discuss those challenges in an open meeting, even if they
cannot bring themselves to agree. Choose candidates who will work diligently
and daily, until their very last day in office. Most of all chose candidates
who you believe truly have the best interests of this Nation at heart, who
subscribe to the Osage notion of Wa.shkan: work hard, do your best,
and don’t quit or give up. The Osage Nation can no longer afford the dangers of
indifference.
