Magic in the Room #104: A conversation with Geoffrey Standing Bear, Principal Chief of the Osage Nation

June 2, 2022
In this special episode of Magic in the Room, Luke and Chris had the opportunity to sit down with the Osage Nation Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear. Chief Standing Bear is in his second term as the Osage Nation Principal Chief, having previously practiced law, where he focused on federal Indian law. In this episode, Chris, Luke, and Chief Standing Bear discuss the history of the Osage Nation, current political events, and the upcoming Martin Scorsese film Killers of the Flower Moon.

Due to the length of this conversation, we have divided the episode into three parts, which are all available now:
  • Episode 104 Part 1: Traumatic history of the Osage Nation with guest Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear
  • Episode 104 Part 2: Leading the Osage Nation with guest Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear
  • Episode 104 Part 3: Looking to the future of the Osage Nation with guest Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear
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