In accordance with the Osage News Election policy, the Osage News allows each candidate 500 words on OsageNews.org leading up to the June 2010 election. Candidate posts are listed in reverse chronological order, beginning with the most recent.
Posted February 23, 2010:
By Jake Heflin, Candidate for Osage Nation Congress
Education is valuable to Osage people. The Osage Nation is going through changes. One of the important functions of government is to develop and provide education for its citizens. Our leadership, our Constitution, our services, benefits, and other areas within our Tribal government are continually evolving. However, we as a Nation will continue to move forward. “Knowledge is power.” I am in full support of educational assistance programs for Osage students, regardless of age.
The educational needs of students vary. Some students may desire vocational education while others may choose to pursue a degree from a college or a university. The goal is to promote education for all Osage students. Financial support for our students should be available regardless of what accredited institution a student decides to attend. Education costs vary from student to student and from school to school. The goal of the Osage Nation is to support our students and assist them in achieving their educational goals. Today, many colleges and universities utilize on-line classes that use computer technology for those seeking their degrees. This is called distance learning. This technology reaches many students who would otherwise not be able to further their education. I believe this form of education is valuable and valid. Investing in our students is an investment in the future of our Nation and the quality of life for our citizens.
We as a Nation must continue to look for creative solutions that provide financial assistance to students. We must also look for ways to optimize our return on that investment. I believe this can be achieved through a type of service program that offers students the opportunity to commit to a pre-determined length of service to the Tribe if a certain percentage of financial support from the Tribe is utilized to pay for their schooling. As an example, an Osage Nation citizen is interested in becoming a nurse. The Osage Nation has an anticipated need for nurses. Thus, the Osage Nation enters into a contract with the student and provides the student with significant financial assistance that enables them to successfully graduate from Nursing School. In return, the student agrees to a service contract with the Osage Nation to provide a pre-determined length of service back to the Tribe once they graduate. This increases our skilled workforce as well as assists us in increasing our ability to become more self-reliant. If the contract is broken, the student repays a certain percentage of their student loan back to the Tribe.
Our Osage people are strong and resilient. History has shown this. Education makes us stronger. An educated person brings tools that enable our Nation to grow and develop. Creating a mechanism that supports our students and encourages service back to the Tribe upon their graduation, provides all involved parties with a viable and achievable opportunity. We must look to the future and create a government that finds solutions and seeks the input of their constituents. We must strive for a government that empowers and helps all Osages realize their full potential.
Posted January 11, 2010:
By Jake Heflin, candidate for Osage Nation Congress
My name is Jake Heflin. My Osage name is Tah-Wah Gka-Keh (Town Maker). I am from the Wa-Xa-Ko-Li District of the Tzi-Zho Wah-Shtah-Keh clan. I am a descendant of Claremore through his daughter. My Great-Grandmother, Lois Lombard was an original allottee. Her father, Walter Lombard (Served as an Indian Police Officer on the Reservation) and his father Albert Lombard were also original allottees. Our original family homestead is still maintained by the family on the Osage Reservation.
I have worked as a public servant for most of my adult life. I have served in local, state and federal levels of leadership. Currently, I serve as Firefighter/Paramedic for the City of Long Beach, California. I started my career in the fire service in 1991 as a Paid Call Firefighter for the Orange County Fire Authority. In 1994, I graduated from paramedic school at Saddleback College. In 2000, I was hired by the City of Long Beach Fire Department. I am a member of the Long Beach Fire Department Honor Guard, Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) team and California Urban Search and Rescue Regional Task Force #3. Previously, I have served as the LBFD Paramedic Committee Chair, the California State Firefighters Association (CSFA) EMS Committee Chair and a member on the CSFA Tribal Committee. I also sat as a member on the California State Emergency Medical Services Agency Directors Advisory Group.
In addition, I also serve as a Director for the Long Beach Fireman’s Mutual Benefit Association. I am a Paramedic Preceptor for Los Angeles County and have served as a skills and peer instructor for various fire and EMS related training throughout the last 18 years. I hold a Teaching Credential in Vocational Education.
Starting in 2005, I had a unique and special opportunity to assist the Osage Nation in developing and creating a comprehensive plan for a reservation-wide emergency service program. Although not yet fully implemented, the plan assisted with the development of the Barnsdall First Responder program known as Osage Emergency Services. Previously, I have served as the past Vice President for the National Native American Emergency Medical Services Association and a member of the CSFA Tribal Committee. Presently, I continue my involvement with tribal emergency services on a national level through my participation as the Senior Tribal Representative for a multi-agency federal government task force known as the Tribal Assistance Coordination Group (TAC-G). The TAC-G is a group comprised of representatives from FEMA, Department of Interior, Indian Health Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Homeland Security, and Bureau of Indian Education. The TAC-G’s primary focus relates to emergency management in Indian Country.
As an Osage living in California, I represent those Osages looking for ways to build and strengthen our Nation regardless of their residency. We are a Nation without borders. Our Osage people live throughout this country and throughout the world. However, the Reservation is our home! We must work together to build a stronger Nation. Collaboration and cooperation are critical to continued growth and development.