29. "We Have Lost a Lot, But We Still Have a Lot"
Hello everyone, this is Jinsha. In the 25th episode (link), we discussed the movie “Killers of the Flower Moon” and delved into our post-viewing study of the Osage Indian tribe and its history.In the mid-19th century, the ancestors of the Osage were forced out by white settlers and had to leave their territory in the eastern United States. They moved west to what is now Oklahoma, where they purchased new land from another Native American tribe. At the end of the 19th century, when the federal government sought to seize these lands from the tribes and privatize them, the Osage negotiated with the government and ultimately secured both land and mineral rights. This meant that while the surface land could be taken, any minerals found beneath it would belong to Osage. At the beginning of the 20th century, rich oil resources were discovered on their land. Consequently, by collecting mining rents from oil companies, the Osage people became the wealthiest in the world on a per capita basis. Unfortunately, this wealth also brought disaster to their lives. During the 1920s and 1930s, many Osage people died within a short period, with the causes of death remaining unknown. This series of organized and premeditated murders became the subject of a subsequent U.S. federal investigation. Marking some of the first criminal cases after the establishment of the FBI, this period is known as the “Osage Reign of Terror.”Our guest in this episode, Raymond RedCorn, is of Osage descent. Born in Pawhuska, an Indian reservation, he is the youngest child in his family. His grandparents lived through that “turbulent era.” We discussed his family history, career choices, the revitalization of Osage culture and language, and how, as an Osage living out of reservation, he maintains his connection to the tribe.Timeline:00:00-04:00 Introduction04:00-08:14 Studie’s Reflections on the Movie08:15-10:14 Studie’s Childhood Experiences 110:14-11:35 Stories about Studie’s Grandparents11:35-15:00 Tales Heard from Studie’s Grandparents15:00-16:30 The Osage Reign of Terror16:31-18:42 Studie’s Father’s Collections18:43-23:13 Efforts to Preserve the Osage Language23:13-28:10 Studie’s Journey in Learning the Osage Language28:10-33:20 Preservation of Osage Traditions33:20-34:50 Studie’s Connection with the Osage Community While Living Elsewhere34:50-38:23 The Inlonshka Ceremony38:23-40:48 The Lack of Osage History in School Curriculums40:48-43:43 Studie’s Hopes for the Next Generation43:44-48:00 Studie’s Struggle with Identity48:00-52:26 Studie’s Role at the Department of Energy52:26-55:23 The Forward-Thinking Mindset of the Red Corn Family55:23-Ending Insights from Osage Scholar Jean Dennison and the Movie’s Final SceneReferences:Wazhazhe immersion school：www.osagenation-nsn.govUS Indian Boarding School History: boardingschoolhealing.orgThe TEAACH Act: www.isbe.netThe legislation requiring that schools teach about the contributions of Native Americans: news.illinois.edu.A Pipe for February: www.goodreads.comBGM sources:[Intro] The Sacred Pipe: youtu.beTulsa Massacre Newsreel: youtu.beKillers of the Flower Moon (2023) - End scene drums: www.youtube.comWahzhazhe Naming Traditions: www.youtube.com
