By FOX23.com News Staff
PAWHUSKA, Okla. — The Osage Nation has declared a State of Emergency due to financial issues caused by the tribe’s projected revenue shortfalls and budgetary constraints.
Osage Nation Principal Chief Joe Tillman said his administration inherited a Fiscal Year 2027 budget of about $60 million; however, the tribe’s departments requested nearly $98 million in spending.
That means the tribe has to cut about $38 million to balance the budget and comply with tribal law.
On Wednesday, the tribe announced it will be immediately closing its immersion school, will be closing its visitor’s center on Saturday and said Harvest Land Operation, a program designed to help address food insecurity and strengthen local food production, will end on December 31.
A teacher with Daposka Ahnkodapi, the Osage Nation’s immersion school, reached out to FOX23 to share the text they received from the school’s superintendent letting them know the school would be closing immediately.
The text reads, “Dear K-8 Teachers: I am very sorry to inform you that Chief Tillman is closing the school. It is effective immediately. I am not sure yet about a severance package. I believe we will be paid through September. I will let you know as soon as I know. Again, this was totally unexpected and definitely not what he promised on the campaign.”
On Wednesday afternoon, the Osage Nation said it’s currently prioritizing meetings with parents and teachers.
In the tribe’s news release announcing the cutbacks, the Osage Nation said the school’s annual budget was more than $3 million with an average cost of about $32,000 per student, a level they determined was financially unsustainable.
The news release also said, in part, “The Osage Nation recognizes the significant impact this decision will have on students, families, educators and staff. Osage Nation departments are coordinating resources and support services to assist families throughout the transition process. Local public schools have been notified of the closure and are prepared to assist in enrollment immediately.”
To view the Osage Nation’s full news release, click here.
