Osage Nation

Osage Nation
source
Name	Osage Nation
Caption	Flag of the Osage Nation
Population	24,000+ enrolled members
Regions	Osage County, Oklahoma
Language	Osage, English
Related	Dhegihan Siouan peoples, Kaw people, Omaha people, Ponca people, Quapaw people
Leader title	Principal Chief
Leader name	Geoffrey Standing Bear

Osage Nation. The Osage Nation is a Midwestern Native American tribe with a sovereign government headquartered in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Historically a powerful Plains tribe known for its warrior traditions and expansive territory, the modern nation is a federally recognized tribe whose members are primarily concentrated in Osage County, Oklahoma, the largest county in Oklahoma. The tribe's history is marked by significant events including the Osage Indian murders and immense wealth generated from oil reserves under its reservation.

History

The Osage people are descendants of Dhegihan Siouan-speaking groups who historically lived in the Ohio River Valley and later migrated westward. By the 17th century, they established a dominant presence in a vast region encompassing parts of modern Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Early European contact involved French explorers like Sieur de La Salle, and the tribe became key partners in the fur trade with French and later Spanish colonists. The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 brought their lands under American control, leading to a series of treaties, including the pivotal Treaty of 1825, which ceded most of their Missouri and Arkansas lands. Following the Indian Removal Act, they were eventually relocated to a reservation in Indian Territory, now Osage County, Oklahoma. The discovery of oil on their lands in the late 19th and early 20th centuries led to the Osage Indian murders, a reign of terror investigated by the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover. This period was later depicted in Martin Scorsese's film Killers of the Flower Moon, based on the book by David Grann.

Government

The Osage Nation operates under a constitutional government reformed by the Osage Nation Constitution of 2006. The government consists of three branches: an executive branch headed by the elected Principal Chief (currently Geoffrey Standing Bear) and an Assistant Principal Chief; a legislative branch, the Osage Nation Congress, a 12-member body; and a judicial branch including the Osage Nation Supreme Court and lower courts. This structure, distinct from many tribes governed by the Indian Reorganization Act, was established to better represent all enrolled Osage members, not just those with "headrights" to mineral estate revenues. The nation maintains a government complex in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, and actively engages in government-to-government relations with the federal government and the State of Oklahoma.

Culture

Traditional Osage culture is deeply spiritual and clan-based, originally organized into two major divisions: the Tzi-Sho (Sky People) and Hunkah (Earth People). Key ceremonies include the In-Lon-Schka dances, held annually in Pawhuska, Hominy, and Grayhorse. The Osage language, part of the Dhegihan Siouan languages family, was critically endangered but is being revitalized through programs led by the Osage Nation Language Department and was a focus of linguist John D. Nichols. Traditional arts include intricate beadwork, ribbonwork, and finger-weaving. The tribe's cultural heritage is preserved and presented at institutions like the Osage Nation Museum in Pawhuska, the oldest tribally owned museum in the United States.

Economy

Historically, the Osage economy was based on bison hunting, horticulture, and trade. The modern economy was transformed by the discovery of vast oil reserves under the Osage Mineral Estate, making the tribe collectively wealthy in the early 20th century and funding the construction of notable buildings like the Osage County Courthouse. Today, the tribal economy is diversified through various enterprises including Osage Casinos, retail operations, and tourism centered on cultural sites and events. The nation also manages a substantial investment portfolio and provides services and per capita payments to its members. Key business operations are overseen by entities like the Osage LLC and the Osage Minerals Council.

Notable people

Notable Osage people include principal chiefs such as Paw-Hiu-Skah, after whom Pawhuska is named, and modern leaders like Charles Tillman and Geoffrey Standing Bear. Maria Tallchief was a renowned prima ballerina with the New York City Ballet and was married to choreographer George Balanchine. Her sister, Marjorie Tallchief, was also a prominent ballerina. John Joseph Mathews was a celebrated author and historian, known for works like Wah'Kon-Tah. Contemporary figures include congressional candidate Yvette Herrell, artist Wade Patton, and filmmaker Sterlin Harjo, co-creator of the television series Reservation Dogs.

Category:Native American tribes in Oklahoma Category:Federally recognized tribes in the United States