Osage Nation Prepares for 10th Annual Wahzhazhe Cultural Encampment

The Tenth Annual Journey will be Celebrated on Reclaimed Ancestral Lands and Focus on Providing More Cultural Activities

By ON Communications



Pawhuska, Okla., Osage Reservation (Thursday, August 16, 2018) –Nine years ago, an effort started to bring Osage culture and history to a modern Osage Nation. This year, the 10th Annual Cultural Encampment in October, hosted by the Wahzhazhe Cultural Center (WCC), will be celebrated on reclaimed Osage ancestral homelands, the 43,000-acre Osage Nation Blue Stem Ranch.

“Our people walked from the Ohio basin to what is now the Osage Reservation.Over the past nine years we have experienced what the journey might have been like for our ancestors from Eastern Kansas. This year on the tenth anniversary of this cultural family event we are excited to announce a new adventure. Please join us for the 10thAnnual WahZhaZhe Cultural Encampment at our very own Bluestem Ranch,” said Addie Hudgins, WCC Director.

The event consists of an overnight campout and cultural activities, “to bring insight and knowledge to our WahZhaZhe people [that] we are descendants and survivors of a great nation….to experience on a very basic level our history and culture through modern eyes.” This message, from theOsage Nation website, has been the purpose and intent since the first cultural journey nine years ago.

The 10th Annual WahZhaZhe Cultural Encampment will be held Oct. 20 to Oct. 21, 2018. Registration begins Aug. 20, 2018. The registration deadline is Sept. 21, 2018.Register for the Cultural Encampment online atwww.osagenation-nsn.govor emailculturalcenter@osagenation-nsn.gov, or call 918-287-5555. Some of the guidelines include:
  • In order to register you must be Osage
  • Non-Osage parents, spouses, and significant others are encouraged to participate as guests of a registered Osage member
  • Children under the age of eighteen (18) must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
  • You must agree to complete the orientation and training the morning the adventure begins
  • Absolutely,nodrugs or alcohol will be allowed during the event
  • No onsite registrations will be accepted
“Since the conception of this annual event we have been looking for ways to make it better and progress. We feel this is a great time to move forward and make great use of the beautiful land we as a nation now own again,” said Hudgins about celebrating the annual Osage cultural gathering with an encampment on reclaimed homelands.

WahZhaZhe Cultural Center
The Mission of the WahZhaZhe Cultural Center (WCC) is to ensure the survival of the WahZhaZhe Nation of people, we will share, preserve, and celebrate the values, teachings and tribal ways that our elders entrusted to present and future generations. Our Strength will come from the commitment of our WahZhaZhe people and the knowledge that the WahZhaZhe Nation is blessed by WaKonDa.

Physical Address
WahZhaZhe Cultural Center
220 W. Main
Pawhuska, OK 74056

Office Main Phone
918-287-5555

Office Fax Number
918-287-5569


For Media Inquiries: Osage Nation Communications 918-287-5599communications@osagenation-nsn.gov