John Red Eagle

John Red Eagle
Principal chief of the Osage Nation
In office
June 2010 – January 21, 2014
Preceded byJim Gray
Succeeded byScott Bighorse
Assistant chief of the Osage Nation
In office
2006 – June 2010
Succeeded byScott Bighorse
Personal details
Born(1948-09-21)September 21, 1948
Bartlesville, Oklahoma, U.S.
DiedJanuary 12, 2024(2024-01-12) (aged 75)
Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
CitizenshipOsage Nation
American
Parent
RelativesPaul Red Eagle (grandfather)
EducationColorado Community College
University of Oklahoma

John Denyer Red Eagle (September 21, 1948 – January 12, 2024) was an American Osage politician who served as the principal chief of the Osage Nation between June 2010 and his removal from office in January 2014. He also served as the assistant principal chief from 2006 to 2010.

Biography

John Denyer Red Eagle was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma on September 21, 1948, to Edward Red Eagle and Virginia Logan. His family, members of the Eagle Clan, included two former Osage Nation Chiefs, his father and grandfather Paul Red Eagle.[1] John D. Red Eagle grew up in Osage County, Oklahoma and was raised in the Native American church. Both of his parents were "full blood" Osage and members of the Osage Nation.[2] He graduated from Pawhuska High School in 1967 and then attended Oklahoma State University before graduating from Colorado Community College. He later earned another bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma.[1]

He later worked as a medical technician for 32 years. He served as the assistant chief of the Osage Nation between 2006 and 2010 and was elected as principal chief in June 2010.[2]

On January 21, 2014, Red Eagle was impeached on five of six counts and removed from office after a trial presided by Justice Jeanine Logan of the Osage Nation Supreme Court.[3] He was also barred from ever holding office again in the nation,[4] and replaced by Assistant chief Scott Bighorse.[5] Red Eagle had been running for re-election before he was banned from holding office.[6]

Red Eagle died in Tulsa on January 12, 2024.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c "John Red Eagle Obituary". Powell Funeral Service. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Sutton, Roseanne (August 28, 2013). "Interview: Chief Red Eagle talks about his life and legacy". Pawhuska Journal Capital. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  3. ^ Polacca, Benny (21 January 2014). "Osage Nation Principal Chief John Red Eagle removed from office". Osage News. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  4. ^ "Red Eagle ousted". Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise. January 22, 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  5. ^ Hardzinski, Brian (21 January 2014). "Osage Nation Chief Red Eagle Removed From Office". KGOU. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  6. ^ Daffron, Brian (12 September 2018). "Banned From Office: Third Osage Congress Removes Chief Red Eagle". ICT News. Retrieved 28 November 2023.