New Osage Community Coming to Skiatook

When Native tribes were separated through various government actions such as boarding schools or land allotment, the purpose was to break the identity of the Native people. Unfortunately this proved to be a somewhat successful tactic.

For the Osages, the communities that once were held together by ceremonies, religion, history, language, and centered upon bands and clans lost much of that rich history. But it has been through perseverance the people continued to reestablish those identifiers that made them Wah-Zha-Zhi Ne-Kah-Zhi. And it has been through a sense of community this has occurred.

One of the many services the Osage Nation provides is housing through a department whose mission is “to provide affordable, safe, and sanitary living conditions by seeking to eradicate substandard housing, eliminating homelessness, and increasing affordable rental housing and homeownership opportunities through supportive services and financial assistance programs for low-income Native Americans.”

One thing about this however was the appearance of the neighborhoods. The homes were designed and constructed in a cookie cutter fashion—all the houses had the same basic look—creating a locality without personality or style or cultural values.

The Osage Nation Housing Department and Tribal Development & Land Acquisition (TDLA) working with Osage-owned business Blue Star Studio (BSS) have created a “culturally enriched community of safe, healthy and environmentally conscious homes.” BSS has a core value where they “believe in the power of place that comes from a long term relationship between people and the land.” This is definitely a Wah-Zha-Zhi belief.

BSS took into consideration “Osage elders [who] share a desire to accommodate one another when considering the next generation in their decisions as community leaders.” BSS knows “these homes keep elders and young ones in mind. Many teachings pass from generation to generation inside homes—whether it is learning how to finger weave from your auntie or how to hunt and clean meat from your uncle.”

The town of Skiatook is where the next affordable home project is slated. The Osage Nation Housing Department and TDLA found a residential development that had been started but due to the economy fell into foreclosure. This development will be different in that it will be designed as a community. It will be constructed through two phases. The first phase of homes will have three, distinct styles. The signage throughout the complex will use Wah-Zha-Zhi E-A (Osage language). Native and/or Osage matters will be incorporated into the complex such as types of plants to positioning homes for the east sunrise. The second phase is still in the planning stages, but will also reflect Osage concerns and beliefs.

This future housing community has sat vacant for some time and regrettably has become a dumping site for individuals. The Osage Nation Police Department (ONPD) currently patrols the complex and will until construction begins. The addition of this community to the area of Skiatook can only be a win-win and a great opportunity for the Wah-Zha-Zhi Ne-Kah-Zhi.