Jim R. Gray

James R. Gray serves Global Learning and Leadership as a director and as advisor for Native American issues and tribal initiatives.  James (Jim) is the former Principal Chief of the Osage Nation (2002-2010) and was the youngest Chief in the history of the Osage Tribe of Indians when elected.  During his two terms, he led the Osage Nation through a comprehensive restoration of Osage sovereignty, the right to determine their own citizens and form their own government.  These actions led to increased enrollment of thousands of Osage members and a referendum vote that adopted a constitution form of government for the first time in generations.

During his time as Chief, Jim served as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Inter -Tribal Monitoring Association consulting with the Department of Interior’s management of Native American trust funds.  He was elected as Chairman of the Board of the Council of Energy Resource Tribes, and served as Co-Chair of the National Budget Advisory Council which sets the priorities for the Bureau of Indian Affair’s $2.3 billion budget.  Chief Gray accepted appointments to the Office of the Special Trustee Board of Advisors (BIA), the Native American Rights Foundation and the Intertribal Economic Alliance.  He is a member of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce.  Chief Gray was awarded the American Indian Tribal Leadership Award in 2008 and accepted the Presidency of the Indian Country Renewable Energy Consortium.  Jim is a much sought out speaker all across Indian Country, by academia and in Washington D.C. as a leading spokesperson on Native American issues throughout the U.S.  He is culturally versed in his Osage Traditions and has been dancing in his tribe’s ceremonial dances since he was six years old.

Mr. Gray, Principal for D.B.A. Gray Consultants, provides services supporting tribal governments for economic development, government reform, public relations and government relations, and for tribal policy.  He facilitates corporate communications between tribes and service providers to tribal governments and business entities.  He has served as Executive Director of the Pawnee Nation, Chief of Staff for the Sac and Fox Nation, Executive Director of Communications and Gov’t Relations for the Cherokee Nation, Advisor to the Norfolk Southern Railroad facilitating consultation with Native American Tribes, and as the Executive Director of the Native American Contractors Association.

Mr. Gray has been a journalist and co-publisher of the largest independently owned Indian Newspaper in America, Native American Times.  As co-publisher, he helped pace public debate on issues important to American Indians in Oklahoma and all across the nation.  His work has been recognized over the years by numerous organizations like the Native American Business Development Center.  The Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission awarded him the Lewis B. Ketchum Award for Excellence in Business. 

James Gray is married to Elizabeth Gaines Gray and is father of Henry, Naomi and James.