The Osage Nation is commemorating the 150th anniversary of its removal from Kansas to its present-day Oklahoma reservation lands on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022.
The Nation announced the forthcoming commemoration date along with the formation of a Sesquicentennial Planning Committee to start planning the historic occasion. A planning committee formation comes two months after the Seventh ON Congress approved a $100,000 appropriation request to the Nation’s Communications Department for conference and special event purposes.
In a news release, the Nation announced James Weigant, Executive Branch Deputy Director of Operations, is serving as committee facilitator with the Communications Department supporting event planning and promotions.
“We’re excited to continue planning for this celebratory event,” Weigant said in a statement. “There are so many things to consider and we want to make sure that all Osages are able to provide input while plans continue moving forward. ‘10/22/22’ has a nice ring to it.”
As part of the planning process, the planning committee is seeking input from Osage constituents online to help shape the event’s details.
Osage constituents are welcome to fill out and submit feedback forms online. The direct link to the Nation’s 150th commemoration feedback form: is https://forms.osagenation-nsn.gov/view.php?id=93436
One question asked on the feedback form reads: “It is the goal of the Sesquicentennial (150th Anniversary) Planning Committee to make this event accessible to all Osages and plans to incorporate virtual participation. Please list any/all suggestions or special accommodations for consideration.”
According to The Osage Timeline researched by former Osage Tribal Museum Senior Researcher Lou Brock, the Osage Nation’s 100th Centennial Celebration took place on Sept. 30, 1972, in Pawhuska.
Brock’s research timeline notes on June 5, 1872: “The Osage are moved to the present-day Osage Nation in the Indian Territory, described and confirmed to them by an Act approved by (the U.S.) Congress; 1,470,934.44 acres are purchased by the U.S. Government from the Cherokee Nation at a cost of $1,099,137.41 (nearly 75 cents per acre).”
The Nation said the 150th Planning Committee also comprises of ON employees including: Historic Preservation Officer Dr. Andrea Hunter, Language Department Director Vann Bighorse, Wahzhazhe Cultural Center Director Addie Hudgins, Museum Director Marla Redcorn-Miller and Human Resources Generalist Jane Perrier.
A former executive assistant in the Office of the Chiefs, Perrier has been instrumental in past Osage Nation Sovereignty Day events. The Nation’s Sovereignty Day annual holiday commemorates the 2006 reformed government approved by Osage voters that year. As planning progresses, the committee will present all plans to the Osage Nation Traditional Cultural Advisory Committee for review, the release noted. For more information on the Nation’s government services and language/ culture, visit www.osagenation-nsn.gov or www.osageculture.com
