Geoffrey Standing Bear is the Principal Chief of the Osage Nation. He
is the great-grandson of Osage Principal Chief Fred Lookout.
Now in his third term as Osage Nation Principal Chief, he continues
the work of protecting and enhancing the Osage culture, language, and
lands.
Before his election, Chief Standing Bear practiced law for 34 years.
He concentrated on federal Indian law receiving national recognition by
Best Lawyers in America, Oklahoma Super Lawyers, and a listing with
Chambers and Partners. He served as Assistant Principal Chief of the
Osage Tribe from 1990 through 1994 and was a Member of the Osage Nation
Congress from 2010 to 2014. While a practicing lawyer he was involved in
the first federal Indian gaming case in Oklahoma.
In 2017, Chief Standing Bear was recognized by Oklahoma Magazine as
an Oklahoman of the Year for his leadership of the Osage Nation. In 2021
the Tulsa World selected him as one of their Tulsans of the Year. He
received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma and
received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Tulsa.
He sees the Osage Nation expanding its land base, maintaining its
vibrant traditions, and bringing back the Osage language to daily use.
His belief is that this and much more can be done through the power of
the Osage child and it is therefore the duty of all his people to
protect and nurture the children of the Nation.
Under his leadership, the Osage Nation has set new goals and found
how powerful working together for a common goal can overcome almost any
obstacle.
In conversation with:
Rodrigo Córdova Rosado (Osage Nation), AST
Noah Collins (Cherokee Nation/White Mountain Apache Tribe), ANT
