By Scott BigHorse

Ha Weh! My name is Scott N. BigHorse and I am a candidate for the office of Assistant Chief. My paternal great grandparents were Andrew and Laura BigHorse and my maternal great grandparents were Tobe and Mary (Trumbly) Pearson. My Osage name is Ki He Kah Tah and I am from the Wa Kah Ko Lin District of Pawhuska

The office of Assistant Chief is an extremely important position requiring unique leadership abilities. I am the only candidate for Assistant Chief who has this unique leadership ability having actual legislative experience in a three-branch form of government having served as the State Representative for Osage County. Prior to serving as State Representative, I had twenty-four years of experience working with the State: thirteen years at the D. Conner Correctional Center (DCCC), and nine years contracting with the state opening the only co-facilitated Juvenile Detention Center in the state. In addition to my experience as a State Legislator, the following are a few of the credentials illustrating my leadership ability:

• In 1990, named Correctional Officer of the Year for “DCCC”.
• In 1991, named Correctional Officer of the Year for Division 1 Institutions (out of 12 facilities).
• In 2001, I opened the only Co-Facilitated Juvenile Detention Center inside an adult county jail.
• In 2003, I was promoted from Director of the Juvenile Detention Center to Assistant Director of Youth Services of Osage County.
• I sit on the City of Pawhuska Planning and Zoning Board.
• Current Chairman for the Friends of the Osage Language, LLC.
• Member of the Board of Directors for Edwin Fair Mental Health.
• Peace Officer Certified by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training.
• In 2006, I was elected as the Osage County Representative to the 51st Oklahoma State Legislature.

When elected, I vow to utilize the experience I gained as a State Representative to bridge the current gap between the Executive and Legislative Branches in order to continue moving the Osage people forward in a positive and progressive atmosphere.

As a Shareholder, I want to assure you that I believe our head rights are personal property belonging to the shareholders and their descendants and should continue to be held in trust as such by the United State government. I am also dedicated to promoting programs for our children and grandchildren and doing more to help our Elders and Veterans.

It is imperative that we put aside egos and personality conflicts while conducting business for our Osage people.

To accomplish these goals, I will present ideas that will make our new government more effective and transparent such as implementing some form of accountability for every stream of revenue that comes into the Tribe (with the exception of the minerals estate) and exactly where it goes by utilizing both internal and external audits. I look forward to sharing more of my vision in the coming months. I am always available for questions.