PAWHUSKA, OK – As global gas and food prices rise due to inflation, Osage Nation Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear is seeking a 10 percent wage increase for Osage Nation full-time employees to adjust to the increased cost of living. Osage Nation Congressman Scott Bighorse will sponsor the bill in order to appropriate necessary funds in the upcoming session on Mar. 28, 2022.
“My administration has worked hard over the past eight years to be in a position where we can be responsive to whatever curveball gets thrown our way,” said Chief Standing Bear. “I’m proud to say that we are in a financial position to support Osage Nation employees during this time of financial hardship, so of course, we should do just that.”
The Nation encourages all Osages and Osage community members who are experiencing financial instability to seek assistance from the Osage Nation Financial Assistance Department.
The Financial Assistance Department offers assistance to Osage members and other Native Americans residing within the service area. The types of assistance include utility assistance, emergency assistance to prevent homelessness, cash assistance to unemployed individuals, or cash assistance to needy families while establishing employment plans and promoting self-sufficiency. Some emergency assistance is available to all Osages living anywhere in the U.S. for eligible crisis expenses.