"The people in government work for us. What they do is our responsibility because they do it in our name and with our money --- that's why we have a right to know about it."
Eddy's Platform, Pg 1
Eddy believes that you want to know not only what his goals are as a member of the Osage Nation Congress, but you also what to know how he intends to achieve those goals. Here's what Eddy feels is important to you and to the future of the Osage Nation and how we govern ourselves.
Strategic Planning
First and foremost, Eddy believes that the Osage Nation must adopt the concept of Strategic Planning. Simply put, no business/government can be successful and properly serve its constituency without a plan. Relying on the strengths and resources of our tribal people, plans should be put in place by the elected leaders to encompass the short-term, mid-term and long-term planning to give the governmental leaders a "map" for the future of the Osage Nation. While keeping the issues of sovereignty in the forefront of the tribal government's efforts, Eddy believes that an environment of total organizational problem solving should exist and that all work processes must be mastered and shared. This type of practice creates a "seamless work place." The strategic plan developed by your elected leaders must be understood by the tribal employees and must be visual, accessible and measurable to the tribal members.
Administrative Policy
Eddy is committed to transparency in government.
Eddy recognizes the responsibility of legislative oversight of the administration of the Osage govrnment. Keeping that in mind, he believes that every effort should be made to see that the Osage citizens and those doing business with the Osage Nation receive sevice of the highest quality from throughout the organization. Quarterly intensive business reviews should be shared with all the Nation's citizens. There shoud be a constant review of "Return on Funds Invested". He believes in hiring the right people utilizing standard hiring practices for all departments. Then, allowing them the freedom to work using their talents and skills in a performance based workforce, while always being paid fair and equitable compensation utilizing a payscale consistent with similar job functions in the Nation. In line with that, there must be fair and equitable pay for our Head Start employees. Eddy recognizes a critical need for an Employee Day Care Center for our tribal employee's children. Eddy will promote this idea when elected, seek funding and work with the other Osage elected officials to make this tribal employee benefit a reality. Eddy firmly believes that we have Native Americans who are well qualified to help manage the affairs and economic endeavors of our tribal nations. Therefore, he is committed to supporting preferences in hiring for Osage citizens, members of other federally recognized tribes and veterans. Eddy believes that these preferences must be applied in an honest and consistent manner and utilized when candidates possess equal qualifications. He will be at the forefront of an effort to determine the numbers of Osage citizens and members of other tribes who are employed by the Osage Nation and its enterprises, including key adminstrative and management positions.
Most of all, Eddy is fully comitted to a workplace void of fear, discrimination or retaliation and will work to pass legislation that guarantees this protection for every Osage Nation employee.
Communication
Eddy believes that well informed citizens make for better government. He will ensure that adequate funding and oversight exists for an accurate, up to date, official tribal website. He will strive to have congressional and executive actions included on the site, along with the proper posting of important tribal court documents. He proposes a toll-free link to the Osage Nation center of government for clarification of tribal issues, legislation and executive actions. Eddy promotes an on-going review of Information Technology costs and benefits, and he supports continuous communication and awareness of city, county and state activities affecting the Osage Reservation. Most important, Eddy believes that good government is the result of citizen involvement and people helping each other. In line with that, tribal community development is important and he proposes the creation of Osage community action groups for continuous input and feed back on issues affecting the Osage people.
Eddy with his father, the late Ed Red Eagle, Sr.
Natural Resources
Eddy firmly believes that the Osage Nation must become active and take control of all of its natural resources on our own reservation. This must be reasonably accomplished with determination, without delay and with the mindset of strengthening our inherent sovereign powers and protecting our rights as Osage people. As a lifelong traditionalist, a property owner who resides on the Osage Reservation, father and grandfather, Eddy realizes the importance and spiritual significance of clean, plentiful water and clean air; for today and for tomorrow. They are two of the elements of life itself. Eddy strongly believes it is up to the Osage people to protect our waterways and other areas of our reservation's environment with the creation of our own Air and Water Quality Standards and Osage enforcement of those standards. The Osage Nation must clarify and be firm in the assertion of its water rights. A Tribal Environmental Impact Assessment must be completed to establish the condition of the Osage environment. An economic assessment of the Sand Creek and Sugar Creek watersheds must be pursued. The Osage Nation must work with those counties adjoining our reservation in the areas of air, water quality and solid waste disposal planning. Eddy pledges to continue his efforts with Osage County and other local government officials in land use planning for the Osage Reservation.
Finally, as a shareholder in the Osage Mineral Estate, Eddy pledges to work with other tribal legislators to become a willing partner with the Osage Mineral Board on economic development opportunities and for the protection and betterment of the Osage Mineral Estate.
Tribal Health Policy
Eddy supports a strategic tribal health plan, including a continuous review of the health of the tribal population. He believes that an emphasis should be placed on the health of our Osage children and the care of our elder citizens. He believes the Osage Nation should take full advantage of available Indian Health Service programs and funding. Just as important, Eddy believes, is for the Nation to be ready to actively support and lobby for the continuation and enhancement of funding for IHS health delivery systems and programs on the Osage Reservation, the Pawnee Service Unit, as well as those Indian Health Clinics located in urban areas. Eddy has been at the forefront in helping to develop a reservation-wide emergency health care system. He also believes the Osage Nation should create a strategic rural health plan, to include youth participation, 1st responder units, EMS Basic, Intermediate and Advanced, as well as Paramedic services, medical training and a central Trauma Care Hospital for the Osage Reservation.
