Felix Clary
Tulsa World Indigenous Affairs Reporter
The Osage Nation flags are at half-staff this week as citizens mourn the loss of a former chief, John Red Eagle.
Red Eagle died Jan. 12 with family members at his side. He was 75.
His funeral and commemoration were held Wednesday at the Wakon Iron Chapel in Pawhuska.
The Osage Nation posted on Facebook: “We honor the life and legacy of former Chief John D. Red Eagle. May Chief Red Eagle’s teachings and good ways continue to guide us all. Rest in peace, Chief Red Eagle.”
Red Eagle was originally from the Barnsdall area and served as chief from 2010-2014. He was the third generation of the Red Eagle family to serve as chief. His father was Chief Edward Red Eagle Sr., and his grandfather was Chief Paul Red Eagle.
“John was very extremely proud of his Osage Ancestry and culture; he loved his Osage People. Tsi Zho Zhi was his Osage name meaning Little Chief, which comes from the Eagle Clan (Tsi Zho Clan),” the Osage Nation obituary statement for Red Eagle reads.
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Red Eagle became the name giver for the Eagle Clan. He was one of the last six full-blood Osage members, as well.
Red Eagle was impeached in 2014, creating the Osage Nation’s first-ever removal trial in the Congressional Chambers in Pawhuska.
His impeachment was the result of accusations regarding contract violations and interfering with investigations against an employee of the tribe.
Red Eagle’s obituary noted his commitment to education and health.
He earned two bachelor’s degrees, the first from Colorado Community College of Nuclear Medicine and later from the University of Oklahoma.
He went on to become the chief of nuclear medicine and cardiology of Tulsa Nuclear at Hillcrest Medical Center Nuclear Medicine.
He was also dedicated to the Red Eagle Native American Church and served as an associate pastor at Victory Christ Center in Tulsa.
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This story is co-published by the Tulsa World and ICT, a news partnership that covers Indigenous communities in Oklahoma.
Felix Clary
Tulsa World Indigenous Affairs Reporter
