The Osage Nation Foundation (ONF) is announcing a new collaboration with Osage fashion designer and artist Dante Biss-Grayson and his company Sky Eagle Collection to benefit the Foundation and its charitable mission.
The first results of the collaboration are a pair of custom fashion pieces – a silk tie and a microfiber handkerchief/scarf – that are now available for purchase in limited quantities through the Osage Nation Foundation on-line gift shop at www.osagefoundation.org. Proceeds from the sales of these items go directly to support the ONF mission.
“As a proud Osage, designing these pieces was about honoring our history while pushing Native fashion forward,” the Osage designer said. “It’s a step toward redefining what it means to wear our culture with pride and confidence in today’s world.”
“This collection speaks to the heart of Native fashion—merging tradition with innovation.” he went on to say. “The Osage orthography woven into the design celebrates our language and identity, while the patterns reflect the beauty of our ribbon work, bringing Native pride to the forefront of fashion.”
The Osage Nation Foundation, as part of its mission of supporting Osage culture, seeks opportunities to work with various Osage artists.
“Collaborating with the Osage Nation Foundation to design a custom scarf and tie featuring Osage orthography and traditional ribbon work patterns was a proud moment,” Biss-Grayson said. “It represents a blend of heritage and modern fashion, showcasing the strength of our culture in a contemporary light.”
Both items join a diverse offering of various Osage-themed products available on the Osage Nation Foundation’s on-line gift shop, including the newest edition of the collectible Christmas ornament collection which will be available for ordering effective November 15.
2024 Osage Nation Foundation Collectible Christmas Ornament
The 2024 Osage Nation Foundation Collectible Christmas Ornament, the thirteenth in a series, represents the importance of cedar to traditional Osage culture. Osage burn cedar as a purification ritual which is often part of a larger ceremony. It is the spiritual cleansing in preparation of a ceremony or blessing. The use of smoke, water, salt, and other items signify the cleansing needed to partake in the sacred blessing, ready one for religious services, or to simply cleanse a location of negative energy. Whatever one’s belief, this ritual serves a purpose that has endured for ages. Each year, a new collectible ornament is designed to commemorate some aspect of Osage culture and history so that a grand tradition and collection can be passed from one generation to the next. All proceeds from the sale of this ornament benefits the charitable mission of the Osage Nation Foundation.
About the Osage Nation Foundation
The Osage Nation Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization, was established in 2005 by the Osage Nation for the charitable purpose of lessening the burdens of the Tribal Government by providing charitable services to the Nation and its members. The mission of the Foundation is to promote and enhance the general welfare of the people of the Osage Nation by supporting cultural, educational, health, historical, community, and other appropriate activities and programs. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors which is responsible for executing the mission and objectives of the Foundation.
Questions? Contact Bill Webb at (214) 205-7495 or email him at bwebb@osagefoundation.org
