The Osage people will elect a new Osage Tribal Princess on May 28. It’s been two years since a new princess was crowned.  

Voting will be held at the former Wah-Zha-Zhi Cultural Center from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The election will also include gourd dancing and a 5 p.m. supper. The new princess will be announced at 6 p.m. Voters must have an Osage Nation tribal membership card or a CDIB card to show proof of Osage lineage.

“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.”

The current Osage Tribal Princess Alissa Hamilton will pass her crown to one of three princess candidates. They are Haley Madden, Alaina Maker and Jasmine Phetsacksith. Maker ran in 2013 but lost to Autumn Williams.

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.

“I have enjoyed my time representing our Osage Nation,” Hamilton said. “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.”

Hamilton will be crowned as the new Kihekah Steh Powwow Princess, which takes place July 28-30 in Skiatook, Okla.

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.

Candidates

This year’s candidates have been busy campaigning on Facebook, visiting Osage families in the community and are hosting dinners and events.

Below are their messages to voters:

Haley Madden

Ha.We!

I am currently running for the Osage Nation Tribal Princess for 2017-2018. I would greatly appreciate support from all of my Osage family and friends. I am 19 years old, and completing my first year of college at Haskell Indian Nation University. I am currently studying for my bachelor’s degree in elementary education. I plan to become an art teacher after college. In my spare time, I enjoy painting, attending powwows, and cooking and camping, sewing, and beading. I am the daughter of Dave Madden, Tara Madden, and the late Mary Woosypiti. My grandparents are Susan Hamilton and Larry Madden and Lorena Woosypiti. I am the great-granddaughter of the late William Hamilton and Naomi Pratt and Beatrice Tallchief and Wilford Woosypiti. I am the eldest of seven siblings. I am a part of the Zon-Zo-Li district, and deer clan. I also participate in the In-Lon-Schka dances every June. I would really appreciate your vote and support on May 28th, Thank You!

Alaina Maker

Hello to all of my Osage People!

My name is Alaina Maker! My Osage name means Wet Moccasins. I am 22 years old, and I currently work for the Osage Nation as an Osage Language teacher. I am also a member of the Wazhazhe Youth Council and the current President. Although I was raised in Hominy, and it’s a place I still call home, I currently live in Pawhuska. I come from the Hominy District and I am Deer Clan. My Osage families are the Maker, Morrell and Lookout families. My mother, Anita Eaves Maker, is a renowned seamstress for her ribbonwork and my father, the late Leonard Maker, served the Osage People in many capacities for the entirety of his life. Most notably he was Road Man for the NAC Morrell Chapter. My maternal grandparents are the late Wilbur “Tommy” Eaves of Pawnee, and the late Dora “Armeda” Lookout Eaves. My paternal grandparents are the late Leonard R. Maker and the late Katherine Morrell Maker.

I graduated from Pawhuska High School in 2012. In 2013 I attended the University of Oklahoma for a time. After I came home I stepped into a provider role for my family. I have worked with the Osage Language, as both a teacher and curriculum developer, for over a year now. Although I have plans to return to school and obtain my degree, I am very grateful for the time I have spent at home learning more of my language and my Osage traditions. I grew up in a traditional Osage family. From a very young age my father and mother instilled Osage values and morals into my life. Spending this past year learning my language has empowered me, and given me a greater sense of self. I am confident that when I choose to step out into the world again I will have a better understanding of where I want to go because I know who I am as a young Osage woman.

I would be most honored to serve as the 2017-2018 Osage Princess. I would represent our people in a humble way, always remembering the respect for my people and culture.

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.

For more information about the Osage Tribal Princess election on May 28, call Chalene Toehay-Tartsah at (405) 933-3174.

Former 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