262. Chief Standing Bear
On Osage Nation Survival, Sovereignty & Self-Expression
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Meeting Chief Standing Bear: The Osage Nation's Path to Sovereignty and Self-Sufficiency
In the heart of Oklahoma sits Pawhuska, headquarters of the Osage Nation - a community navigating the complex path of indigenous sovereignty in 21st century America. Our recent visit with Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear revealed a striking portrait of leadership, resilience, and pragmatic vision that stands in stark contrast to the simplified narratives often told about Native American nations.
The conversation with Chief Standing Bear began with a surprising connection. He recounted meeting Aboriginal representatives from Australia at a ceremony in Arkansas, where he witnessed remarkable similarities in their ceremonial practices—both using sacred plants and eagle wings for blessing. More profoundly, he discovered parallel histories of colonisation, with both peoples experiencing reservation systems, boarding schools that forbade native languages, and systematic attempts to erase cultural identity. "This has got to be like the British playbook," he reflected, recognising the common tools of colonization deployed across continents.
This historical awareness shapes the Osage approach to governance today, but Chief Standing Bear is decidedly forward-looking. When asked about his vision, he immediately redirected credit to his team and community. This collaborative leadership style acknowledges both the weight of disappointment in Native American history and the potential for transformative change when the right projects emerge at the right time.
Perhaps nothing exemplifies this approach better than the Nation's food sovereignty initiatives. What visitors now see as the impressive "Harvest Land" with greenhouses, food processing facilities, and meat processing operations, the Chief describes with characteristic modesty: "It wasn't a vision, it was panic." When COVID-19 disrupted supply chains and threatened food security, the Osage leveraged federal pandemic funds not for individual payments but for long-term self-sufficiency. The result is a remarkable system that includes a state-certified butcher house processing 75 head of cattle and bison monthly, and extensive greenhouse operations providing fresh produce.
These initiatives serve immediate needs while building resilience against future crises. "Should there be another pandemic," the Chief explains, "our people know we're here." For a nation with 26,000 enrolled members but only about 4,000-5,000 living in Osage territory, this food security represents both practical support and a cultural anchor. However, Standing Bear remains pragmatic about the challenges, noting they're still not prepared for the potential demand such emergencies might create.
The conversation revealed the paradoxical relationship between tribal nations and the federal government. "On one hand, we don't want to have the United States government in our business," Standing Bear explained, "but on the other hand, if money comes our way...we will decide whether or not to grab it." This delicate dance has resulted in significant achievements, including the extraordinary re-acquisition of 43,000 acres of land placed in federal trust for the Osage Nation, but comes with complex sovereignty implications.
Standing Bear frames sovereignty as having both internal and external dimensions. Internally, sovereignty manifests through language programs, cultural practices, and growing self-sufficiency. Externally, it involves navigating relationships with state and federal governments. He approaches these negotiations pragmatically, distinguishing between sovereignty issues and simple business transactions. "Anytime you throw sovereignty out there," he cautions, "that's dangerous."
Beyond material concerns, Chief Standing Bear emphasised the crucial role of arts and culture. "You've got to have that ability to express yourself in artistic form," he insisted, "or it's just, we're just here." From a puppet show telling creation stories to a classical ballet school and museum, cultural expression combats the depression that can arise from historical trauma. "Art can destroy that and rebuild the world," he said, connecting to his own experience as the son of an oil painter who died young.
Perhaps most striking is the Osage Nation's commitment to language revitalisation. Young people have created Osage language keyboards for smartphones, enabling them to text each other in their ancestral language. "The language carries the culture," Standing Bear explained, highlighting how cultural understanding emerges naturally as language fluency grows. This technological adaptation represents the perfect synthesis of tradition and innovation that characterises the Osage approach.
The Chief's fundamental message resonates beyond indigenous contexts: "The only defense is self-sufficiency." In an uncertain world where political winds shift and promises fade, the Osage Nation is building resilience from within.
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