A. The Constitution of the Osage Nation in Article XIV – Villages, Section 1, recognizes the villages of the Osage Nation as (1) the Grayhorse Indian Village, (2) the Pawhuska Indian Village, and (3) the Hominy Indian Village, states the Osage Nation Congress recognizes and respects that each village has its own traditions, customs, and history. Section 2 states that the villages shall be reserved exclusively for the use and benefit of the Osage Indians pursuant to the Act of June 28, 1906 (23 Stat. 539), as amended. Section 3 states that the laws enacted by the Osage Nation Congress apply with equal force to the three villages and to the extent any action taken by a village is inconsistent with the laws of the Nation, such action shall be deemed void.

B. The Act of June 28, 1906 (23 Stat. 539), as amended, set aside three village reserves exclusively as dwelling sites for the use and benefit of Osage Indians. 25 CFR Part 91 establishes policies and procedures for the government of the villages. It requires five-person village committees to provide for the health, safety and welfare of its inhabitants, for the maintenance of tribal property, and to serve as custodian and manager of tribal property and improvements located within the villages. 25 CFR § 91.6 requires each village to adopt constitutions and bylaws approved by the tribal council and the superintendent.

C. The 2004 Osage Reaffirmation Act passed by the U.S. Congress as P.L. 109-431, 118 Stat. 2609, resulted in the Osage Nation Constitution and a new government structure for the Osage Nation as set forth therein.

D. The purpose of this Act is to reaffirm the relationship between the Osage Nation and the Osage villages. ONCA 16-17, eff. Dec. 17, 2015.