The Department of the Interior has recommended enactment of legislation extending the life of the tribal government of Oklahoma’s Osage Indians until 1984, it was announced today.
The principal function of the Osage tribal government, which is scheduled to expire in 1959 under existing law is to participate with the Secretary of the Interior in the execution of leases for development and extraction of the minerals that were reserved to the Tribe in Osage County, Oklahoma, under 1906 legislation.
Although the original reservation of the minerals was for only 25 years, this has been extended by subsequent enactments to April 8, 1983. For this reason, the Department favors the enactment of S. 1417 which would extend the life of the tribal government for a similar period.
The tribal government consists of a principal chief, an assistant principal chief, and eight council members. All are chosen at a general election held at Pawhuska, Okla., every four years.
