Osage Nation Moves Forward with ARPA Funding Distribution Plans

Osage Nation Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear released a statement today regarding the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding distribution plans:

“The Osage Nation Individual Assistance Program is not a new idea,” said Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear. “Last year our program distributed nearly $13 million dollars to Osages everywhere. This program has used funding from the federal CARES Act of 2020. We supplemented the program with money from our casinos. Over 14,000 Osages benefited.”

He continues, “The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) provides new opportunity for Osage individual assistance. We are moving forward with plans first developed in January. Since then, the United States Treasury interim rules appear to require proof that anyone receiving payments actually experienced a COVID caused negative economic impact. Once the final federal rules are issued the Osage Nation Individual Assistance Program new funding from ARPA will be requested from the Osage Nation Congress by my Administration.”

For further information please contact James Weigant, COVID Task Force Coordinator for the Osage Nation at (918) 287-5314.