SCOI Recommends Removal Trial for Chief Red Eagle by Benny Polacca on Oct
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CULTURE: Photos from the SPORTS: Homecoming celebrations Cultural Walk 2013 PAGE 11 Around the Area PAGE 15 Volume 9, Issue 11 • November 2013 The Official Newspaper of the Osage Nation SCOI recommends removal trial for Chief Red Eagle By Benny Polacca on Oct. 28. Voting “yes” were Osage News committee members Alice Buf- falohead (chairwoman), John The Osage Nation Congres- Jech, Congressional Speaker sional Select Committee of In- Raymond Red Corn and Maria quiry issued its long-awaited Whitehorn with one absence report on Oct. 28 and recom- from Archie Mason. mends six of the 15 allegations According to the report, the of wrongdoing be put in a mo- committee is recommending tion for removal of Principal the six allegations be placed Chief John Red Eagle. “on a motion for removal of That evening, the SCOI is- Principal Chief John Red Ea- sued a written statement – in gle” for causes which include addition to its 58-page report malfeasance in office, disre- and 236 pages of supporting gard of constitutional duties documents – outlining the and oath of office, arrogation process they used for witness of power, abuse of the govern- testimony and replying to ac- ment process and undermin- cusations made from members ing the integrity of the office. of Chief Red Eagle’s staff. In the committee’s public On Oct. 29, the Congress statement released with the voted 10-0 to end its special report, it said: session after the report’s re- “Contrary to the statements lease. Shortly afterward, the of the Principal Chief and his Congress announced its ninth staff to the public through me- special session is scheduled for dia outlets, the Principal Chief Benny Polacca/Osage News Nov. 14 to consider a motion on has been afforded significant Members of the Osage Nation Congressional Select Committee of Inquiry meet with independent legal counsel whether a removal trial should due process throughout this Tulsa attorney Mark Lyons (far end of table) as the committee wraps its investigation and written report regard- be held for Chief Red Eagle. investigation. Principal Chief ing the 15 allegations of wrongdoing against Principal Chief John Red Eagle during an Oct. 21 meeting. In wake of the SCOI’s re- Red Eagle had the opportunity port’s release, the committee to sit in and listen to each and ment. “The Principal Chief hired outside counsel, and counsel will have the opportu- voted to disband as required every witness who gave testi- was also invited to testify be- was unanimous in its opinion nity to present a legal defense, by Congressional rules once mony before this Committee, fore the Select Committee of which allegations had suffi- call witnesses, cross-examine a committee report is made and he had the right to have Inquiry, and he did so upon his cient evidence. witnesses and submit evidence public. With a 4-0 unanimous his legal counsel with him at own free will.” “If the Osage Nation Con- on his behalf,” said the state- vote the committee approved a all times, which are two rights The SCOI said they con- gress proceeds to a removal ment. motion to adopt the completed not afforded before a grand ducted the investigation in a trial based on the evidence, the See INQUIRY report during its final meeting jury,” according to the state- fair and deliberate manner, Principal Chief and his legal —Continued on Page 6 Healthy living a growing trend in the Osage By Shannon Shaw Duty Osage News During the spring and sum- mer months, residents in the Pawhuska Indian Village Shannon Shaw Duty/Osage News planted fresh fruits and veg- Principal Chief John Red Eagle etables and posted photos and and The Nature Conservan- status updates on Facebook cy State Director Mike Fuhr, about their efforts. signed an MOU to collaborate A trend began and com- on best practices in preserva- munity members such as tion of eagles, raptors and oth- Electa Hare-RedCorn (Paw- er migratory birds on Oct. 15 at nee/Ihanktowan) and Geneva the 2013 NCAI convention in HorseChief-Hamilton (Osage/ Tulsa. Pawnee) latched onto the idea and began working to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to Osage Nation the community and the area public schools. joins forces with Both work for the Osage Nation Communities of Ex- cellence and recently the pair The Nature hosted a feast in celebration of Chalene Toehay/Osage News Champions of Health & Ris- Conservancy The Osage Nation Communities of Excellence recently hosted a feast in celebration of Champions of Health & ing Star Advocates for Healthy Rising Star Advocates for Healthy Living within the community, Oct. 3. Living within the community. in fight against Using locally grown vegeta- bles by local farmers and com- wind farm munity members, they cooked 10th Circuit the feast themselves, with By Shannon Shaw Duty the help of local AmeriCorps Osage News says United workers Frannie McKay, Rhea Real Bird and Theresa White The Osage Nation and States owes Lightning. They presented a The Nature Conservancy healthier and more affordable are joining forces against alternative to the more than a planned wind farm in accounting 50 people who attended. Osage County. The dinner was held at the The two entities signed to Headright Wah-Zha-Zhi Cultural Center a memorandum of under- on Oct. 3 and the honorees in- standing Oct. 15 at the Holders cluded Carol Kliesen (Osage), 70th Annual National Con- Rick Loggins, Leanna Boe, gress of American Indians Osage News Jennifer Tiger (Osage), Chris convention being held in The 10th Circuit Court of Gabriel, Destiny Kitchel, Ad- Tulsa. The MOU is a broad Appeals recently breathed new die Hudgins (Osage), and Ben agreement to collaborate life into the decade old Fletch- Brown (Osage). on best practices for the er v. United States case. Hare-RedCorn said local See CONSERVANCY Osage News File Photo See HEADRIGHT See HEALTHY —Continued on Page 6 —Continued on Page 7 William Fletcher and Charles Pratt. —Continued on Page 4 INSIDE THE OSAGE NEWS FOLLOW THE OSAGE NEWS ONLINE Osage Pro MMA Fighter Remains Undefeated . 2 Health Update . 16 • Breaking news at osagenews.org National Indian Taco Championship Results . 3 Community . 17 • facebook.com/osagenews Osage Wins Morgan Horse Nationals . 7 Classifieds . 18 • twitter.com/osagenews Budget Discussions Scheduled . 9 Editorial . 19 • flickr.com/osagenews 2 November 2013 Osage News • osagenews.org Osage Pro MMA Fighter remains undefeated By Shannon Shaw Duty ist Ryan Red Corn, owner of Osage News Buffalo Nickel Creative, one of Rencountre’s sponsors. Chance Rencountre is fast. Rencountre’s statistics on His opponent, Rashid mixedmartialarts.com show he Abdullah from Austin, lasted 2 finishes his opponents quickly. minutes and 38 seconds before When asked what that was Rencountre knocked him out. like, he laughed. It was a flash of punches when “That’s a tough one, I don’t Abdullah’s knees buckled and know. I’ve went through some Rencountre attacked. battles in my time. My first pro The referee called the fight, debut went all 15 minutes, but TKO-Referee Stoppage from it feels good to finish them ear- Strikes. Rencountre smiled, ly,” he said. “But I take them ran and jumped on top of the as I can get them.” cage and flexed his muscles as his fans screamed and cheered. Ultimate Fighting “Oh man, this is awesome. Championships The first time I get to fight in Mixed Martial Arts is a full front of my mother, my family, contact, combat sport that al- and my close cousins, it feels lows the use of both striking good to fight in front of my and grappling techniques, hometown crowd,” Rencoun- both standing and on the tre said after the fight. A long ground from a variety of com- line of fans waited to speak bat sports. to him, all wearing red shirts Rencountre, who trains at with his likeness on the front, Alliance MMA in Chula Vista, his Osage name spelled out in Calif., has a head trainer, a Shannon Shaw Duty/Osage News Osage orthography at the bot- striking coach, a Brazilian Jiu- Osage Pro MMA Fighter Chance “Black Eagle” Rencountre gets focused before he enters the cage to fight Rashid tom – Black Eagle. Jitsu coach and a strength and Abdullah Oct. 12 at First Council Casino Hotel. “The first time ever, it was conditioning coach. On top of great, kind of nervous at first, the new disciplines he is learn- wrestling, sumo and other but it kind of went over after ing, he was a college wrestling combat sports. It is owned and the first punches started fly- All-American. operated by Zuffa, LLC, head- ing,” he said smiling, clearly If Rencountre continues on a quartered in Las Vegas with Dates set for enjoying the moment. “I want winning streak he could qual- offices in London, Toronto and to thank everyone for com- ify for the Ultimate Fighting Beijing. ing out, man, it’s awesome. I Championships, a televised According to ufc.com, the couldn’t do this without you league of professional MMA UFC produces more than 30 2014 Osage News guys’ support and without fighters who fight in cities live events annually and is the their backing I wouldn’t be across the world. largest Pay-Per-View event here right now, I wouldn’t be The UFC is the fastest grow- provider in the world. It is Election Debates able to train and do what I do. ing sports organization in the broadcast in 149 countries and Osage News I couldn’t do it without them, world, according to ufc.com. territories, to nearly one bil- honestly.” The organization started in lion homes worldwide, in 30 For the first time the Osage News will provide a forum Roughly 300-500 people at- 1993 and requires athletes to different languages.