Osage Language immersion school hosts first community powwow featuring youth staff

*Due to recent Winter Weather Advisories, the Osage Immersion Community Powwow is still scheduled for Jan. 14, 2017, if safety becomes a concern the powwow will be post-poned and rescheduled for a later date. The updated information will post here and on the official Osage Nation Facebook and Twitter sites. Thank you for staying connected to Osage Nation news and information!

Headmaster David Webb says the inspiration for the traditional gathering and meal is to start sharing cultural ways with youth through leading by example and sharing the experience with the community

By ON Communications

Pawhuska, OK, (Friday, January 6, 2017)—Shadowing parents at a community powwow next week will a provide hands-on learning experience for Osage toddlers, prekindergarten and kindergarten students from the Osage Nation’s language immersion school, Daposka Ahnkodapee (Our School). According to the school’s Master Teacher David Webb, providing this learning experience is why the school is hosting the Osage Immersion Community Powwow on Saturday, January 14, 2017, in Pawhuska at the Wah-Zha-Zhi Cultural Center.

Just like any other community powwow, the Osage Immersion Community Powwow has selected a head staff that is experienced and knowledgeable of the responsibilities of their position. Each of the selected powwow head staff is the parent of a child or children who attend the school and they will be working closely with selected youth head staff, students from the school that will be shadowing them. The selected head staff includes; Emcees, Ryan RedCorn and Titan Harris; Head Singer, Russ Mashunkashey; Arena Directors, Otto Hamilton and Joseph Duty; and the Cooks, Donna Barrone, Addie Hudgins, Sam Harding and Luna Jacobs.

The Osage Immersion Community Powwow will be held January 14, 2017 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Wah-Zha-Zhi Cultural Center at 1449 West 12th Street, Pawhuska, Okla., 74056. A delicious and traditional Osage meal will be provided immediately following the dance. This is a public event.

Daposka Ahnkodapee (Our School) Mission:

Daposka Ahnkodapee (Our School), is an educational facility serving Osage children ranging in age from six weeks to Kindergarten.

Daposka Ahnkodapee provides a place where children can begin to learn the Osage language, at a pre-verbal age, by hearing the Osage language spoken for several hours each day. Immersing students in Osage language and culture, and providing them with opportunities to explore and learn each day will strengthen the self-esteem and Osage identity of our next generation.

For Media Inquiries: Osage Nation Communications 918-287-5599,communications@osagenation-nsn.gov