Darian Buffalohead is the winner of the Osage Nation Tax Commission’s inaugural T-shirt design contest.
The theme for the contest was “Celebrating Sovereignty” and Buffalohead’s design was chosen by the ON Tax Commission board members, Beverly Brownfield, Teresa Bates Rutherford and Rhonda Wallace.
The design features two red handprints on a colorful backdrop of Osage yarnwork. The words “Celebrating Sovereignty” and the phrase Wahzhazhe Always in the Osage orthography are featured.
“We are so thrilled to showcase her design in the Tax Commission for a year. It is a bright inspiring design that incorporates traditional finger weaving and hands. A reminder that we are a traditional Nation, and we are moving forward within our own Sovereign powers. The bottom orthography proudly states, Wahzhazhe Always,” said a statement from the tax commission. “Thank You to all the submissions.”
The T-shirt will be available for purchase by May 1.
Buffalohead is an enrolled member of the Osage Nation and currently resides in Hominy with her husband Keetha and two sons, Julius and Donangeh Zhinga. She currently works in the Nation’s Financial Assistance department “proudly serving” as the Intake Specialist.
“I enjoy helping our Osage people and other Native Americans in our service area. I feel it is important to give back to our community,” Buffalohead said. “I am from the Wa-Xa-Ko-Li District. I have grown up around our Osage ways and hold our teachings close to my heart. I have grown up around my family’s Native American Church my whole life. I have a love for sewing and weaving and often weave belts, streamers, and sew shirts for our Osage clothing in my spare time.”
Her design was inspired by her love for weaving.
“Just the love for weaving, I love weaving, that’s what I do as a side hustle or just for fun really. I enjoy weaving, it’s a big part of my life and the hands bring it all together for friendship,” she said. “We want to bring everybody together. The hands I felt like were a little bit more home, it was more of a traditional sense to it.”
Buffalohead is the daughter of Sammy Lookout and Suzanne Kaczmarek. Her maternal grandparents are Rose Mary Shaw and William Elmer Kaczmarek. Her paternal grandparents are Judy and Herman “Mogri” Lookout. Her maternal great-grandparents are Marjorie Maker and John Shaw Jr. Her paternal great-grandparents are Dora McCarthy and Henry Lookout.
She is currently attending Southern New Hampshire University in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and media arts. She said she chose that field of study because she is exploring her creative side through her T-shirt business: Sacred Eagle Woman Creations.
For more information, call the ON Tax Commission at (918) 287-5393.
