Culture, Economic Development and Reconnecting with Ancestral Lands
Osage Nation welcomed to cultural and economic opportunities in Missouri
By ON Communications
PAWHUSKA, Okla. (November 25, 2015) —The Osage Nation has made two visits to Missouri in the last few weeks to begin a process of reconnecting with ancestral lands and economic development opportunities. Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear travelled to Cuba, a small city in Missouri, in late October. He provided support for efforts to raise funds for the largest monument ever to be constructed honoring Osage people and visited with economic development specialists from the area. Assistant Principal Chief Raymond Red Corn visited Ft. Leonard Wood U.S. Army Base on Nov. 13, he spoke at an event recognizing Native American Heritage Month followed by an exclusive tour of ancestral sites protected by the base’s Cultural Resources Management Program.
Cuba, the city in Missouri with a love for Osage people
Osage Nation Executive Advisor Johnny Williams travelled to Cuba along with Chief Standing Bear and Van Bighorse, Wahzhazhe Cultural Center Director, Dr. Andrea Hunter, Historical Preservation Director, and Drew Pierce, Osage Supreme Court. It was a three day trip and the Executive delegation travelled to the small city. Williams spoke at length about the hospitality and welcoming efforts they were treated to.
"They were so excited about Osages coming back to the area,” Williams said. Several residents who they were introduced to excitedly showed off arrowheads and shards of pottery, remnants of Osage ancestors who once occupied the area.
The welcoming committee in Cuba included Dennis Rodemeier, President of Cuba Development Group, and Dr. Sean Siebert, Cuba Development Group Grant Writer. Together they have created several successful rural economic development projects for the City of Cuba and the State of Missouri.
The largest monument recognizing Osage people, named “The Osage Legacy,” will stand 35 feet tall, roughly as tall as a telephone poll, 20 feet wide and 80 feet long. It is currently under construction at the intersection of I-44 and highway 19 in Cuba, MO, or good old Route 66. The famous cross-country super highway makes its way through Missouri on the same path Osage people used long ago.
The Chief and staff were treated to a social hour to meet with the elected officials from Missouri and discuss economic development benefits for the Osage Nation in the area.
Ft. Leonard Wood U.S. Army Base, caves and other archeological sites
Assistant Principal Chief Raymond Red Corn spoke on Nov. 13 to a crowd of U.S. Army soldiers at the Ft. Leonard Wood Army Base. The event, “National American Indian Heritage Month Celebration,” sponsored by the U.S. Maneuver Support Center of Excellence at Ft. Leonard Wood. Red Corn was among the honored speakers. He talked about Osage history in the area and about the traditions of Osage people, even today, that honor and revere veterans and soldiers.
Following the event, the Assistant Chief received a tour of Miller's Cave on the Ft. Leonard Wood U.S. Army base.
Osage ancestors, who at one time were an ancient group who later separated and becamePonca, Omaha, Kaw, and Quapawnations, once occupied this cave and the area below. Several artifacts have been discovered in the cave and its branches of smaller caves and crawl spaces.
The Assistant Chief said he hopes the opportunity he was afforded to learn about and explore the caves can be something Osages interested in the field of archaeology and anthropology can also experience in a cooperative effort with Ft. Leonard Wood CRMP. The tour concluded with a visit to a site that features rock art.
The Office of the Chiefs has scheduled more dates to visit with economic development specialists and will continue to learn more about Osage ancestral lands and share these experiences with the Osage people.
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