Steven Pratt and Herman “Mogri” Lookout are two of 46 Native Americans honored this year at the fourth annual AARP Oklahoma Indian Elder Honors banquet.
Pratt and Lookout were honored with medals for their efforts in preserving the Osage language during an Oct. 2 dinner at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Pratt is a University of Central Oklahoma professor and Lookout is director of the Osage Nation Language Department in Pawhuska.
Pratt accepted his medal at the event, but Lookout could not attend because he was teaching an evening class to ON language students in Edmond.
“I was honored because it represents the work I have been doing my whole life,” Pratt said.
Pratt gave the opening prayer at the event in the Osage language. He said he is occasionally called on to say prayer but this time was very special.
“Dr. Pratt was more than qualified to give the prayer and it was an extreme honor for him to do it in his Native language,” said Craig Davis, AARP director of communications.
Pratt is a Road Man for the Lottie Shunkamolah Chapter of the Native American Church in the Hominy Indian Village.
Thirty-five of the 39 Oklahoma tribes were represented at this year’s AARP Oklahoma Indian Elders honors.
Among the honorees were Jim Thorpe’s son William Bill Thorpe (Sac & Fox), the oldest living Comanche Josephine Myers-Wapp, who is the 100-years old and Matthew Whitehorse (Kiowa) who was the bustlekeeper for the Kiowa Ohomah Society until he passed away this summer at the age of 95.
Pratt developed an Osage language orthography, accompanying CD and workbook. He also recorded three volumes of the Osage language focusing on tribal customs, ceremonies and day-to-day life activities.
Lookout created the orthography currently used in the Osage language classes and he is one of the last fluent Osage speakers. He is also a member of the Native American Church and is the Head Committee Man for the Pawhuska District.
Kristen Pratt, Steven’s niece, attended the event and said she was excited to see two Osages being honored.
“I believe we, as Osage people, should be very proud to have these types of people in our tribe that set examples of giving back to communities and to future generations,” Kristen Pratt said. She believes it is important for young Native Americans to have role models like Pratt and Lookout to look up to.
“For me it’s admirable to know that not only are there Natives all over Indian Country putting forth these efforts, but Osages from right here in our own communities who were born and raised here on the Osage reservation –that’s a wonderful thing,” she said.
In 2011, Martha Spottedbear (Osage) was honored. In 2010, George Tall Chief (Osage) and Anita Lookout-West (Osage) were honored.
If you would like to nominate someone for next year’s AARP Oklahoma Indian Elders Honors you can call 866-295-7277, email ok@aarp.org or mail in your nomination to 126 N. Bryant Ave., Edmond, OK 733034.
The nominee much be enrolled in an Oklahoma tribe, living and age 55 or older.
See more photos from the AARP event on the Osage News Flickr page. Click this link to view the photo set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/osagenews/sets/72157631800402858/
By
Jacelle Ramon-Sauberan
Original Publish Date: 2012-10-18 00:00:00
