Osage Nation Declares Juneteenth a National Holiday

OSAGE RESERVATION, OKLA. (November 2, 2021) - On Monday, November 1, 2021, Osage Nation Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear signed legislation into law that recognizes Juneteenth as a national holiday for Osage Nation. Juneteenth is a holiday celebrated on the 19th day of June to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. 

“Juneteenth is a day of great importance,” said Chief Standing Bear. “I am proud to sign this bill into law and encourage all to commemorate this day with deep reflection and learning.”

Osage Nation Congresswoman Jodie Revard authored the legislation and was present for the signing, as well as Congressional Speaker Angela Pratt. 

“Congress has previously set forth in law the holidays to be observed,” said Congresswoman Revard. “Our sovereignty allows us to choose which federal holidays we recognize and this holiday is of great significance to the Osage Nation. I am proud that my fellow Congress Members and the Chief have recognized this important day.”  

In 1979, Texas became the first state to make Juneteenth an official holiday; several other states followed including Massachusetts, New York, Virginia, Washington and Oregon. In June 2021, the United States Congress passed a resolution establishing Juneteenth as a national holiday which U.S. President Biden signed into law on June 17, 2021.