Osage Nation Language Department Announces 2022-2023 Community Class Schedule

Curriculum is supported by new Osage Language Dictionary Database with over 2,500 words

The Osage Nation Language Department (ONLD) opens registration for 2022-2023 community classes. Virtual and in-person classes to begin Monday, September 12, 2022 for all ages. A variety of levels are offered including Children’s Classes, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Reading & Writing, among others. All classes are free of charge.

The Osage Nation Language Department was established in 2003 with a mission to revitalize the Osage Language to its purest form and to teach Osage people to speak Osage in daily conversation. Braxton Redeagle was named the new Osage Nation Language Department Director when previous director Vann Bighorse shifted to his new role as the Secretary of Language, Culture and Education. 

Director Redeagle looks forward to continuing the work to expand the Osage language alongside Osage Nation Language Department teachers and staff. 

“We encourage Osages and Osage community members to find a class time and location that fits their schedules,” said Redeagle. “Learning and sharing our language is something everyone can do to contribute to our Nation and protect our sovereignty.” 

This year’s class curriculum is supported by the recent launch of the new online Osage dictionary. The dictionary has a current database of 2,717 Osage-English and English-Osage words, along with a helpful phonetic key on the sidebar. So far, the Osage Nation Language Department instructors have spent an estimated 2,000 hours researching, compiling and proofreading in an effort to continue revitalizing the Osage language. Plans to continue expanding the database are underway.

Registration for ONLD’s Community Classes can be found at www.osageculture.com. Classes begin Monday, September 12, 2022. For questions, please contact langinfo@osagenation-nsn.gov.