Osage Nation Education Department Hosts Annual College & Career Fair

Pawhuska, Oklahoma --- Thursday, November 7, 2019, the Osage Nation (ON) Education Department held its annual College and Career Fair at the Osage County Fairgrounds. Local Junior and Senior High School students visited the event while ON Departments and Programs, external companies, colleges, technical schools, and military recruiters set up and presented information booths for the students to explore.

Congressman Archie Mason opened the function with an Osage prayer and guided the event, as the master of ceremonies. He made announcements throughout the day and identified the colleges, technical schools, and military branches who participated in the networking with the students: ATA College, Bacone College, Cameron University, Community Care College, Cowley College, Kansas State University, Oklahoma State University, East Central University, Northeastern State University, Oklahoma State University – Center for Health Science, Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Pawnee Nation College, Rogers State University, Southwestern College, The University of Oklahoma, The University of Tulsa, University of Central Oklahoma, University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Tri-County Tech, TRIO, Tulsa Community College, United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Navy.

Students from Pawhuska, Shidler, Hominy, Woodland, Prue, and Wynona schools also got to meet with working professionals from several different career fields during the event. This networking opportunity allowed them to hear firsthand information about different occupations. The following businesses set up booths to present information: Oil Capital Electric, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Osage Nation Historic Preservation, Shield Law Group, American Heritage Bank, Johnston Veterinary Clinic, Air Methods, Osage Nation Accounting Department, Osage Nation Prevention Department, Census Bureau, and the Wah-Zha-Zhi Health Clinic.

Invited guest speaker, Dr. Cornel Pewewardy (Comanche-Kiowa) discussed the importance of college and encouraged the students to always believe in themselves. Dr. Pewewardy is Professor Emeritus of Indigenous Nations Studies at Portland State University, Fellow with the NACA Native Inspired Schools Network, and Education Liaison with the Comanche Nation. He is highly regarded in education advocacy for his leadership in teaching, research, and service. He is also well-known for his Native flute music and incorporating music into his teaching. During the event, Pewewardy and his colleague, Jimmy Reeder (Wichita), sang a Kiowa prayer song.

The ON Education Department is committed to making the College and Career Fair a successful presentation for local students. They provided refreshments for the high school participants and lunch for the presenters, sponsored by Osage Casinos. Also, they innovated the educational experience by inviting a guest speaker who incorporated a musical aspect. ON Education Director, Mary Wildcat, commented on the fair, saying, “Our team, here at the Osage Nation Education Department, works extremely hard on the organization of this event each year. The goal is to provide as many collegiate resources and experiences as we possibly can to our Osage students! “

For more information about the Osage Nation, please visit: https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/
For more information about the ON Education Department, please visit: https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/what-we-do/education-department