I am honored and humbled to announce my candidacy for the Osage Nation Congress.
I was born and raised in Fairfax, Oklahoma. My great-grandparents were Edward and Celia Cox and Joe and Annie Turpie Daniels. My grandparents were Rose Mary and Anthony (Snap) Daniels. They had the last Osage arranged marriage by clan in the Grayhorse District. My father is Thomas G. Daniels and my mother is Carol Wayman. .   My sister is Denise Skocik and my brother is Gilbert Daniels.  I grew up learning Osage values by participating in  Osage traditional culture, dancing at our In-Lon-shka at age 3, and serving on the Grayhorse Committee as a lady singer for the last 17 years and on the Pawhuska Committee for the last 4 years.
I am an Osage Shareholder, Osage business owner, and currently employed by the Osage Nation Language Department as the Fairfax Site Coordinator.. I also serve as the Language Program’s representative on the Traditional Cultural Advisor’s Council for the Historic Preservation Department.  I teach Osage language classes for the Osage Nation Headstart, the Grayhorse Elder’s, and beginning orthography and common phrases in Edmond, Oklahoma.
In August of 2006, the Osage Nation bought the former Indian Electric building for the purpose of establishing the first ever Fairfax Site for language classes. This beautiful building has become not only a language center, but also a cultural hub for Osage cultural art classes, community activities and Pau-sue-lee club meetings.
In terms of professional and educational qualifications, I have a Master’s Degree from Oklahoma State University in Family Relations and Child Development, with a specialty in Marriage and Family Therapy. Prior to working for the Osage Nation, I worked in the public sector for the State Health department for 14 years. I served as a Child Development Specialist Technical Supervisor. I have a license in Marriage and Family Therapy and also a certification as a Child and Parenting Specialist. Nearly four years ago, I left my job with the state to pursue my dream and apply the skills and experience I had gained professionally to serve the Osage people.. Though my previous work was fulfilling, I knew it was time to come home. It has been my privilege to serve the Osage people in this capacity, and I have learned so much in my four years working directly within our tribal government.
At this juncture, I want to rise above the negativity to move our great Nation forward.  This is my first time to seek public office, but I believe with my cultural background, professional qualifications, willingness to listen and learn, and the courage to act in the best interest of Osage people, I can help find the solutions needed to complete the transformation of our government.
In the next 3 months, I invite you to attend the different forums to hear my campaign platform as well as visit my Facebook page.  Today I ask for your support and prayers to be your next Osage Congress Woman.
Danette Daniels
Hku-tha-me