On Saturday, the U.S. General Services Administration notified several Bureau of Indian Affair properties across the country that they will be on a termination list. One of those included is the Osage Indian Agency in Pawhuska.

Osage Nation Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear released a statement saying it is unclear what this means for BIA employees in Pawhuska. Standing Bear says Secretary of Development Casey Johnson is already looking for alternative plans for office space for the agency:

“With this notice from the federal government, we are unsure if the BIA or the GSA will accept an alternative space offer for the BIA employees,” Standing Bear said. “We have been anticipating this and will continue working daily to mitigate damage and alleviate the anxiety federal cuts are causing Osage Nation, our people and our communities.”

Furthermore, on Monday, the Osage Congress showed their concerns of the BIA cuts by introducing a resolution, which includes the dismissal of the superintendent of the Osage Agency. His responsibility was to represent the authority of the U.S. Government on Osage Land. In part, the resolution says the following:

“The United States Government is failing to honor the relationship with Osage Nation as a sovereign nation.” It goes on to say. “The Osage Nation expects the United States to uphold its trust responsibilities.”

You can read the full resolution here.