The Osage people elected Jasmine Phetsacksith of the Hominy District as the new 2017-2018 Osage Tribal Princess on May 28. It’s been two years since a new princess was crowned.
Voting was held at the former Wah-Zha-Zhi Cultural Center, which included a gourd dance and supper. Over 150 Osage tribal members voted in the princess election. She beat out Alaina Maker and Haley Madden for the position.
“The Osage Tribal Princess position is a long and respected tradition and I hope to empower our young Osage women in becoming respected ambassadors among our tribal nations,” said Osage Tribal Director Chalene Toehay-Tartsah. “Many of our future leaders in Indian Country started out as ambassadors for their tribal nations.”
As Phetsacksith’s name was called out as the winner, Alissa Hamilton took off her crown and placed it atop Phetsacksith. The drum gave her an honor song and she danced around the drum with Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear, before family and friends joined her. As she danced many of her friends and family lulu’d in her support.
Toehay-Tartsah will be responsible for chaperoning the princess among the many events and activities she is asked to attend.
“I have enjoyed my time representing our Osage Nation. The princess not only serves as a representative and role model but also cares and prays for our people. This has been an experience I will cherish for a lifetime,” she said.
Hamilton will be crowned as the new Kihekah Steh Powwow Princess, which takes place July 28-30 in Skiatook, Okla. The Osage Tribal Princess Sorority is hosting an honor dance for Hamilton, the date has not been set. The original date had to be postponed due to a death in the Hominy District.
Tradition
The first Osage Tribal Princess was Margaret Luttrell Gray, who served in 1941. Since 1941, an Osage Tribal Princess has represented the Osage Nation every year at the week-long American Indian Exposition, held every year in August in Anadarko, Okla. The Osage Tribal Princess joins other tribal princesses from more than 10 different tribal nations each year at the Exposition. They participate in banquets, fashion shows, they are featured in parades, pageants, and are asked to give speeches about their tribal nations at various events.
“Many of our young Native women look up to their tribal princess,” Toehay-Tartsah said. “It’s a big honor.”
Once the princess has served for a year, she becomes a member of the Osage Tribal Princess Sorority for life. She receives a shawl with her name and year of reign. The OTPS currently has more than 15 active members.
It wasn’t until 2010 that the Osage people elected their princess. Prior to 2010, the Osage Tribal Director selected the princess.
A message from Jasmine Paige Phetsacksith
Ha-we, my name is Jasmine Paige Phetsacksith. My Osage name is Wa-hla-tho-pa, meaning Two Standards, given to me by Mr. Richard Luttrell. I am a member of the Sun Carrier clan and come from the Zon-Zo-Li district. I am seventeen years old and attend Jenks High School where I will be a senior next fall.
I am a proud member of the Wah-Zha-Zhi Nation. In June I participate in the I-Lon-Schka dances, where I also enjoy helping cook traditional Osage meals with my mom and cook aunts. When I have a chance, I like to attend classes provided by the Wah-Zha-Zhi Cultural Center.
I am a descendant of Henry Pratt, the first Head Committeeman for the Zon-Zo-Li district and Mah-seh-no-pi, the first Zon-Zo-Li Tail-dancer. My great-great- grandparents were the late Walter and Helen Matin of Hominy and the late John and Josephine Coshehe of Nelagoney. I am the great-granddaughter of John A. Fields and the late Lenora Matin Fields, as well as the late Mary Rose Coshehe Holding and Homer Holding, Jr. My grandparents are David and Marsha Holding of Hominy, and my parents are Khamp and January Phetsacksith of Jenks.
My family has been long-time members of the Friends Meetinghouse in the Hominy Indian Village and also follows Native American Church practices. I appreciate that I can attend a church that includes the Osage language in prayer and hymn.
I have one older brother, Jamon, and three younger sisters, Jada, Jillian, and Julie. As the oldest daughter of my family, I have assumed many responsibilities. Part of my daily routine includes volunteer-coaching Jada’s softball team, taking Jillian to dance class, and spending my afternoons at South Lakes Golf Course. Some of my other hobbies include art, hunting, fishing, attending local powwows, and spending time at the lake with my family.
At Jenks High School, I am a member of the Native American Club, play on the Varsity Girls Golf team, and am listed on the Principal’s Honor Roll. After high school, I plan to attend college and pursue my degree to become a Physician’s Assistant specializing in Pediatrics. One day I hope to work for Indian Health Services.
I look forward to representing my Wah-Zha-Zhi people across Indian Country and being a positive role model for our Native American youth.
Thank you for your support, encouragement, and vote. Weh-we-nah.
Osage Tribal Princesses:
1941 Margaret Luttrell Gray (deceased)
1947-48 Louise Shangreau (deceased)
1949-50 Mildred Bear Lunsford
1951-53 Thomasine Green Moore (deceased)
1953-54 Fannie Mae Beartrack Donelson
1955-59 Anita Lookout West (deceased)
1960 Kathryn Redcorn
1961 Beverly Wamego Brownfield
1962 Jerri Jean Barnes Branstetter
1963 RoseMary Shaw
1964 LeeAnn Yarbrough Ammons
1965 Kathy Roberts (deceased)
1966 Linda Maker Long
1967 Jan Nell Robinson Jacobs
1968-69 Mary Barnes Monetachi
1970 Alice Jake (deceased)
1971 Mary F. Hopper
1972 Patricia Barnes Pratt
1973 Renae Brumley
1974 Anita Eaves Maker
1975 Susan Shannon
1976 Julie Brave Standing Bear
1977 Tami Fugate Baldauff
1978 Billie Carol Jones
1979 Carolyn Shannon
1980 Tracey Moore
1981 Angela Satepauhoodle Toineeta
1982 Meg Standingbear Jennings
1983 Tracey Moore
1984 Margaret Shannon Sisk
1985-86 Olivia Gann Gray
1987 Jodie Revard
1988 Trish Alley
1989 Asa Cunningham
1990 Danita Corneilson Goodwill
1991 Danene Lane (deceased)
1992 Joyce Oberly
1993 Welana Fields Queton
1994 Gina Gray Red Eagle
1995-96 Chalene Toehay-Tartsah
1997 Shannon Shaw Duty
1998 Jessica Moore Harjo
1999 Jennifer Standingbear Bighorse
2000 Sarah Megan Oberly
2001 Whitney Freeman
2002 Mary Bighorse Wildcat
2003 Tara Damron
2004 Randa Moore
2005 Julie Maker
2006 Frankee Cunningham
2007 Maggie Gray
2008 Alexandria Toineeta
2009 Erica Moore and Elizabeth Moore
2010 Vanessa Moore
2011-12 Dora Williams
2013 Autumn Williams
2014 Katelynn Pipestem
2015-16 Alissa Hamilton
2017 Jasmine Phetsacksith
By
Shannon Shaw Duty
Original Publish Date: 2017-06-15 00:00:00
