We calculated the Top 10 most-read news stories from the Osage News website this year and came up with the following list.
It has been a big year for the film, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which was shot on the Osage Nation reservation in 2021. Based on the bestselling book of the same name by David Grann, it’s about the discovery of oil on the Osage Nation reservation and the ensuing greed, harm and murder of the Osage people that followed. The film made its world debut in May at the Cannes Film Festival to much fanfare, red carpet glamour and Hollywood stars.
Here are the top 10 most-read stories from 2023.
10. Martin Scorsese: ‘I take this film as an offering to the Osage people and from our hearts’
Two days after the world premiere of “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Scorsese sat down with Osage News Editor Shannon Shaw Duty for a Q&A. The result was a candid interview about why he wanted to make the film, some of his favorite scenes and the inspiration that is Lily Gladstone.

9. EXCLUSIVE: Apple releases three images from the set of the upcoming ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’
In partnership with Apple, the Osage News received exclusive news tips throughout the filming and one of them included three never-before-seen images. The images included Lily Gladstone, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Scorsese on set. All four individuals have been nominated for a Golden Globe.

8. Full-length trailer released for upcoming ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’
The full-length trailer was the first time we heard the familiar voice of Osage Minerals Council Chairman Everett Waller. His voiceover has been used in nearly every trailer since. “We’re still Warriors!” They now have shirts for sale at Spurs and Arrows in downtown Pawhuska, Okla., with this saying from the film.

Whether it’s due to Louise Red Corn’s superb journalistic prowess or the article’s subject matter, it’s not surprising that a story about four tribes battling with attorney Gentner Drummond over reservation boundary issues made the top 10 list.

6. ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ a missed opportunity
Not everyone liked “Killers of the Flower Moon” and Osage News Columnist Ruby Hansen Murray’s honest and well-written critique was what many of our readers were waiting for. To this day her critique is still being shared and commented about on various social media channels.

5. Trailer for Scorsese’s ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ promises intense experience
Just days prior to its world debut in Cannes, France, this trailer of the film debuted, exciting fans across the world. It was also the first time Osages saw what the film might contain.

Osages across the country delighted in hearing this news. Watch parties were planned, panels and discussions were held, uniting Osages everywhere.

3. REVIEW: ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ and the strength of Indigenous women
We don’t think any Osage anywhere can view “Killers of the Flower Moon” objectively after the first viewing, but Shaw Duty gave it her best shot. The result was the following review after the film’s premiere in Cannes. And like many after her, she was dazzled by Gladstone’s performance.

2. Today I surrendered use of my Osage Nation car tag
After the shocking news of Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt’s “sneak attack” on tribal car tags as Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear put it, Osage tribal member April Wazhaxi-Jones who lives in Oklahoma City wrote this letter to the editor that resonated with the Osage population. Admittedly, there were some who delighted in tribes having to pivot on the tribal car tag issue and commented as such, but the overwhelming reaction from April’s letter was one of solidarity.
P.S.: We would love it if more readers sent in Letters to the Editor

It’s no surprise with the star power of DiCaprio and De Niro that this would be the most read article of 2023. Our sincere hope is that Gladstone’s star power rises to their level, followed by Cara Jade Myers, JaNae Collins, Jillion Dion, Tatanka Means, William Belleau, Tantoo Cardinal, and all the rest of the wonderful Indigenous actors and actresses in “Killers of the Flower Moon” and the industry at large. Gladstone is the star of this interview, but De Niro’s dedication to learning the Osage language and his admittance to how difficult it was to learn, deserves acknowledgment.
2023 was an exciting year and we sincerely wish a Happy New Year to all our readers and best wishes for a wonderful, exciting, healthy and safe 2024!
- The Osage News Team