Allegations of sexual harassment spark new Osage Nation law - KOKH FOX25
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — For the first time ever, employees of the Osage Nation are protected by law from sexual harassment and discrimination.
According to Osage Nation Congressman, Eli Potts, people working for tribal nations are exempt from Title VII rights because tribes were not included in the definition of "employer" in the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
Potts sponsored the new bill and said rumored allegations are what initially motivated him to pursue better protections for all Osage people.
In documents obtained by NewsChannel 8, emails dating back to 2020 from a then employee of the Osage Nation to human resources detailed allegations of sexual harassment.
The Principal Chief, Geoffrey Standing Bear, was also copied on the emails.
In the emails, the employee said they received "unsolicited, sexually inappropriate text messages and phone calls" from people working within the Chief's administration.
The victim goes on to say they even had a sex toy given to them by someone working in the administration that was "never asked for."
Documents show that the employee making the accusations was later let go.
Under the new law, the former employee would have been protected from retaliatory termination.
The law makes it illegal under Osage Law to hire, fire, or discriminate against any individual based on sex.
That includes, "Sexual harassment, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct," according to the legislation.
Potts said in a statement to NewsChannel 8:
I wrote this legislation because the Sexual Harassment and Discrimination protections afforded by Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act should have always been extended to our employees and our People.
It’s the right thing to do, and I can’t believe it took this long.
Now, there is a mechanism in Osage Law to allow victims of Sexual Harassment to seek remedy in Osage Courts. Allowing our people to avail themselves of the legal process while protecting their rights as human beings- That's Sovereignty.
In a letter from the victim's attorney to the Osage Nation's counsel, the victim asked for a settlement for "wrongful termination."
The documents obtained indicate the victim did receive a settlement from the Osage Nation.
Before NewsChannel 8 obtained the documents Tuesday afternoon, Principal Chief Standing Bear said in a statement regarding the new law:
It currently is a serious violation of Osage Nation human resources policy to engage in sexual harassment or discrimination upon another employee. Making this policy a Law strengthens this prohibition. I signed this legislation into law with that intention.
NewsChannel 8 reached out to the Osage Nation again about the allegations Tuesday afternoon once the documents were received, but by the time of the 10 p.m. newscast Tuesday, the Osage Nation had not responded to the inquiry.
source: https://okcfox.com/news/local/allegations-of-sexual-harassment-spark-new-osage-nation-law
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