PAWHUSKA, OK – The Osage Nation recently closed on the Ellis Thomas (ET Ranch) located in Pawhuska, OK. The property will be the site of the first-ever Osage Nation Primary Residential Treatment facility. The facility will act as a transitional living facility and counseling center for both adolescent and adult individuals. It will also include administrative and counseling offices.
Osage Nation Congressional Speaker Jodie Revard sponsored the bill, which appropriated $12 million of American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act funds towards the purchase and development of the property. ARP funds are being utilized due to behavioral health needs and public health impacts exacerbated by the pandemic.
The property closing was attended by Osage Nation Attorney General Clint Patterson, Osage Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear, Kirk Shaw (Wahzhazhe Health Center Manager), Dr. Amanda Bighorse (Wahzhazhe Chief Medical Officer), as well as Stephanie Thomas Priest and Judy Thomas who sold the property to Osage Nation. The Osage Nation Health Authority Board will continue the project’s development with design and scope of work.
