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Scott Bighorse
Kiheka
Principal Chief of the Osage Nation (interim)
In office
21 January 2014 – 2 July 2014
Preceded byJohn Red Eagle
Succeeded byGeoffrey Standing Bear
Assistant Principal Chief of the Osage Nation
In office
4 August 2010 – 21 January 2014
Preceded byJohn Red Eagle
Succeeded byTerry Mason Moore
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
from the 36th district
In office
2006–2008
Preceded byJoe Sweeden
Succeeded byEddie Fields
Personal details
Born1956 (age 67–68)
NationalityAmerican
Osage Nation
Political partyDemocratic
ResidencePawhuska, Oklahoma

Scott Norris Bighorse (born c. 1956) is an Osage American politician. Between 2006 and 2008, Bighorse was a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 36th district. From 2010 to 2014, he served as assistant principal chief of the Osage Nation. Bighorse was elevated to interim principal chief of the Osage Nation after the 2014 impeachment of John Red Eagle and replaced later that year by Geoffrey Standing Bear. Bighorse was elected to the Osage Nation Congress in 2018.

Early life and career

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In the Osage language, Bighorse is known as Kiheka, translated to English as Big Chief.[1] Prior to his first campaign for public office, Bighorse worked for the Oklahoma state government for 24 years as a correctional officer and juvenile detention consultant.[2][3][4][5] As a child, he had been inspired to participate in county and tribal politics by members of his family. Outside of his political activity and public service, Bighorse became known as a traditional singer.[6][7]

Oklahoma House of Representatives

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Bighorse's first state legislative campaign was backed by the Indigenous Democratic Network.[8] In March 2006, he was the only Democratic Party candidate for the 36th district seat of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.[9] After Jack Rankin entered the race, Bighorse defeated him in a party primary election four months later.[10][11] Bighorse subsequently faced Eddie Fields and won election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in the November 2006 general election.[12][13] In March 2007, he was named to the Native American Caucus of the Oklahoma Legislature, serving as spiritual counselor and as a member of the caucus's advisory team.[14] Bighorse ran for reelection in 2008, this time losing to Fields.[15][16] Bighorse was the only incumbent state representative in Oklahoma to lose during the 2008 election cycle.[17]

Osage Nation political career

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Following his single term as a state representative, Bighorse began campaigning for the 2010 Osage Nation tribal election in August 2009.[4] The first round of the election was held on 7 June 2010. In a runoff election on 19 July 2010, he was elected assistant principal chief, and formally assumed the office on 4 August 2010, alongside principal chief John Red Eagle, who preceded him as assistant principal chief.[4][18] Following Red Eagle's impeachment and removal from office in January 2014, Bighorse became principal chief.[2][7][19] Bighorse completed Red Eagle's term, choosing not to run for the office in his own right. Soon after becoming principal chief, Bighorse named Terry Mason Moore assistant principal chief.[20] Bighorse served as principal chief until Geoffrey Standing Bear assumed the role on 2 July 2014.[21][22][23] Bighorse took office as a member of the Osage Nation Congress in July 2018.[24][25]

References

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  1. ^ "Scott N. BigHorse, Assistant Principal Chief, Osage Nation". National Museum of the American Indian. 1 August 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b Duty, Shannon Shaw (22 January 2014). "Scott N. BigHorse sworn in as Principal Chief of Osage Nation". Osage News. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  3. ^ Medley, Robert (20 August 2006). "Oklahoma's District 36 race focuses on youth". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "First wave of candidates announce themselves for the June 2010 elections". Osage News. 21 August 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  5. ^ Daffron, Brian (20 December 2006). "Oklahomans fight on drug war's front lines". Indian Country Today. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  6. ^ Daffron, Brian (12 October 2006). "Oklahoma Indian candidates prepare for November elections". Indian Country Today. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  7. ^ a b Daffron, Brian (27 January 2014). "Banned From Office: Third Osage Congress Removes Chief Red Eagle". Indian Country News. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  8. ^ McNutt, Michael (14 May 2006). "Group supports Indians in office". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  9. ^ Daffron, Brian (23 March 2006). "INDN's List celebrates first anniversary". Indian Country Today. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  10. ^ "Candidate election results". Tulsa World. 26 July 2006. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  11. ^ "Election results". The Oklahoman. 27 July 2006. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  12. ^ Daffron, Brian (22 November 2006). "Oklahoma Indian candidates do well in midterm elections". Indian Country Today. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  13. ^ Robinson, Judy Gibbs (16 November 2006). "Indians gain percentage in next Legislature". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  14. ^ "McPeak to co-chair Native American Caucus". Muskogee Phoenix. 20 March 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  15. ^ Talley, Tim (5 November 2008). "Republicans take control of state Senate". The O'Colly. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  16. ^ Hinton, Mick; Hoberock, Barbara (5 November 2008). "GOP adds to House majority". Tulsa World. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  17. ^ Hinton, Mick (19 November 2008). "Lawmakers are sworn in". Tulsa World. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  18. ^ Polacca, Benny (5 August 2010). "John Red Eagle and Scott BigHorse take oaths of office". Osage News. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  19. ^ "Chief Of Osage Nation Impeached". KGOU. 2 February 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  20. ^ "Osage Nation narrows fields in elections for new chiefs". Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise. 12 March 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  21. ^ Krehbiel-Burton, Lenzy (4 June 2014). "Osages elect Geoffrey Standing Bear new principal chief". Tulsa World. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  22. ^ Polacca, Benny (3 June 2014). "Geoffrey Standing Bear and Raymond Red Corn elected Chief and Assistant Chief". Osage News. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  23. ^ Polacca, Benny (4 July 2014). "Geoffrey Standing Bear is sworn in as the Osage Nation's new chief". Osage News. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  24. ^ "Osage Nation Election Results Announced". Bartlesville Radio. 6 June 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  25. ^ "Osage Nation to swear in newly elected officials". Tulsa World. 9 July 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
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