NORMAN, Okla. – Soft lights dim in the Meacham Auditorium, and the beautiful sound of bells can be heard down the hall. Heavy red velvet curtains swiftly open, and the contestants take the stage, each confidently carrying themselves. It is April 6, and three Osage students are competing for the titles of Mr. and Miss Indigenous OU.
Native pageants have a few key components: a judges’ interview, an introduction and clothing segment, platform, talent, and the final Q&A. The contestants were also judged on their college and cultural involvement, cultural knowledge, and public speaking.
This past year, I had the honor of being Miss Indigenous OU, and for the past three months, I have been a mentor to five extraordinary college students running for these two titles. Three of whom, Talia Tasi, Gyordan Curtis, and Cole Burris, are all representatives of the Osage Nation and key members of the University of Oklahoma’s Osage Club.
After the last portion of the pageant, the Q&A, we all stood backstage in a circle, laughing, looking back on the memories made at the weekly pageant meetings as they tabulated the final scores. Then, we were quickly escorted onto the stage as some of the crew members handed out red and white flowers and goodie bags to all of the outstanding contestants.
Two golden crowns sat on the edge of the table, glowing next to glass accolades.
Cole Burris, of the Burris and Davis families, was the first to be called, winning the award of Most Industrious. Talia Tasi, of the Oberly family, followed, winning Most Congenial and Crowd Favorite.
The first Indigenous Royalty sash lifted as they announced the Miss Indigenous OU, Leandra LeForce.
Then, we anxiously waited to hear who would be the next Mr. Indigenous OU. The crowd roared as his name was announced: Cole Burris!
“I learned a lot during my time as a contestant, most importantly I learned that the people behind me support me always and forever, my family, my tribe, my friends, and my community all believed and continue to believe in what I can do,” said Burris, who is a co-founder and Cultural Chair of OU’s Osage Club.
Lulus were lulu’d! Brittany Davis, Cole’s mom, beamed with joy as the sound of his bells filled the room once more, as he stepped forward to center stage. I handed him his crown as we placed the pristine banner over his shoulder.
“I’m proud to have represented the Osages along with my cousins on that stage. We are still here, and we will continue to grow and prosper as a community,” Burris said. “I’m so excited for the future and how I can help make a brighter tomorrow.”
OU Spring Powwow
Fast forward to April 19, Natives filled the Lloyd Noble Center for the OU Spring Powwow. At 6:30 pm, just after the grand entry, Burris, who is also the Pawhuska District’s Drumkeeper, was officially crowned Mr. Indian OU.
Next for Cole, other than his Drumkeeper duties, he’s working on his platform, Cultural Connection.
“I’m going to talk to Native youth and provide opportunities for all people to get in touch with their culture, not all Osage people grow up as fortunate as I did,” he said. “And I’m more than welcome to help those who want to learn more.”
Mr. Indigenous OU said he owes it all to his family for keeping him culturally connected.
Cole is currently working with his younger brother Grant on creating the Club of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) at his alma mater, Skiatook High School.
I cannot wait to see what Wakanda has in store for our next leaders of the Osage Nation. Stay Resilient.
