A Voice of the People
Experienced leadership, grounded in Osage values and a commitment to serve.
Meet Scott Johnson, Tzi Zho Hunkah
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Thank you for taking the time to be here and learn more about me.
My name is Scott Johnson, and I am running for Assistant Principal Chief of the Osage Nation because I believe in steady leadership, strong values and putting people first.
I am from the Hominy District and a descendant of the Javine/Perrier families, and I was raised on my grandmother’s allotted land. Osage culture is not separate from who I am. It is how I was raised, how I work and how I approach leadership. I respect our traditions, our land and our people, and I am committed to protecting and preserving our culture for future generations.
My professional experience includes serving as Director of Human Resources for the Osage Nation during Chief Standing Bear’s first term and currently serving as Treasurer for Osage LLC. Those roles have given me firsthand experience working across all branches of government, with every department and employee group, and understanding how thoughtful, ethical leadership helps move our Nation forward.
If elected, I will serve as Assistant Principal Chief by supporting the elected Chief’s direction, listening to our people and working to strengthen our economic future, invest in our workforce and expand education for all ages. My goal is simple: to serve with integrity, respect and a deep commitment to the Osage Nation and its people.
“I’ve known Scott for a long time and his father (Will R. ”Bill” Johnson); his father was very interested in our politics and involved for as long as I can remember. Now, I’ve heard a comment, ‘Well, he doesn’t dance.’ Not everybody dances; we must remember how interested they are in our politics.
Cecelia Tallchief, Osage Elder
The Values and Experience That Shape My Leadership
Rooted in Osage Values
Nation Experience & Professional Leadership
Nation Experience & Professional Leadership
My values were shaped by family, land and responsibility to those who came before us and those who will come after.
- I am from the Hominy District and a descendant of the Javine/Perrier families
- Raised on my grandmother Ollie Ree Javine’s allotted land
- Family land served as the home of the Kihekah Steh Pow Wow, hosted by my late father, Will R. “Bill” Johnson
- Committed to honoring, protecting and preserving Osage culture
- Osage landowner with mineral rights and a responsibility to future generations
Nation Experience & Professional Leadership
Nation Experience & Professional Leadership
Nation Experience & Professional Leadership
I bring practical experience, institutional knowledge and a steady approach to leadership.
- Treasurer for Osage LLC
- 4 years as Director of Human Resources for the Osage Nation
- Worked across the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches
- Experience with every Nation department and diverse employee groups
- Rewrote Nation policies and procedures to improve fairness and consistency
- 19 years of corporate human resources leadership
- Committed to supporting the elected Chief’s direction and advancing initiatives that are lawful, ethical and constitutional
A Lifetime of Hard Work & Service
Nation Experience & Professional Leadership
A Lifetime of Hard Work & Service
My leadership style is shaped by a lifetime of responsibility, hard work and service to others.
- 40 years in dairy and crop farming, including on allotted land
- 7 years as a vocational agriculture teacher
- 12 years on the school board, including eight years as president
- 23 years in human resources
- Married to Carol Ann “Herring” (Osage) Johnson for 54 years
- Father of four, grandfather to six and great-grandfather to one
This life has taught me humility, accountability and the importance of showing up and doing the work.
Leadership Begins With Listening
Share your story, questions or concerns. Scott wants to hear from you.
Scott believes strong leadership starts by listening to the people he serves. Whether you want to share your experiences, raise a concern or offer ideas for the future of the Osage Nation, he welcomes the opportunity to listen and learn.
