Sen. Boren selects Osage actor/elder Yancey Red Corn to join her at the State of the State address

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, said among the dignitaries and guests who will be in the House Gallery for Monday’s State of the State address will be Yancey Red Corn, one of the Osage actors in the film “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Due to limited space in the gallery, each member of the Legislature is allowed to invite one guest to observe the opening joint session and hear the governor’s speech. Boren’s guest will be her constituent, Red Corn.

A long time Norman resident, Red Corn plays the role of a former Osage chief in the Academy Award nominated film about the Osage Reign of Terror. In addition to his work as an actor on stage and in film, he’s also a citizen and elder of the Osage Nation and is CEO of White Buffalo Digital Nation/ndgtraks.com. But his role as Chief Bonnicastle and Osage citizenship are not his only ties to the Reign of Terror. His own great-grandfather was poisoned and murdered during that era.

“Mr. Red Corn is a life-long advocate of tribal sovereignty and the arts, and one of many remarkable constituents from Norman I have the honor of representing. His understanding of the importance of Oklahoma’s sovereign nations was instrumental in helping me host the state’s first Tribal Clean Energy Summit this past fall. His insight into our efforts to diversify Oklahoma’s economy through expanding renewable energy and incentivizing major film and television productions are among the reasons I wanted him to witness the State of the State from the gallery,” Boren said. “I hope to learn from his observations and feedback as I plan for the upcoming session. By including a constituent like Yancey, it starts our session with a reminder of Oklahomans who give our state a good reputation with their high standards of excellence and global achievement. Hopefully this reminder will keep us humble and focused on public service.”  

 The Senate and House of Representatives will each convene the 2024 legislative session at noon on Monday, Feb. 5 to conduct business in their respective chambers before reconvening in a joint session in the House for the State of the State address.

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For more information, contact:  Sen. Mary Boren at 405-521-5553 or Mary.Boren@oksenate.gov