Osage Nation closes on property for first-ever Osage PRT facility

Press Release
Image (L to R): Stephanie Thomas Priest, Judy Thomas, Osage Attorney General Clint Patterson, Osage Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear, Kirk Shaw, Dr. Amanda Bighorse

Image (L to R): Stephanie Thomas Priest, Judy Thomas, Osage Attorney General Clint Patterson, Osage Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear, Kirk Shaw, Dr. Amanda Bighorse

Male and Female Primary Residential Treatment Facility to Support Osage Wellness

 

OSAGE RESERVATION, OKLA. (September 15, 2021) – On behalf of Osage Nation, Osage Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear closed on the Ellis Thomas (ET Ranch), located on Elks Lodge Dr. in Pawhuska, OK, on Tuesday, September 14, 2021. The property will be the site of the first-ever Osage Nation Primary Residential Treatment (PRT) facility. The facility will act as a transitional living facility and counseling center for both adolescent and adult individuals. It will also include administrative and counseling offices.

Osage Nation Congressional Speaker Jodie Revard sponsored the bill which appropriated $12 million of American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act funds towards the purchase and development of the property. ARP funds are used due to behavioral health needs and public health impacts exacerbated by the pandemic.

The property closing was attended by Osage Nation Attorney General Clint Patterson, Osage Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear, Kirk Shaw (Wahzhazhe Health Center Manager), Dr. Amanda Bighorse (Wahzhazhe Chief Medical Officer), as well as Stephanie Thomas Priest and Judy Thomas who sold the property to Osage Nation. The Osage Nation Health Authority Board to begin design and scope of work to continue project development.