Sovereignty Through Our Language

On Monday, January 5th a new directive from the Office of the Chiefs was initiated in regard to cultural education with the beginning of language classes for the Executive Staff. An aspect of sovereignty, self-determination, is the reclamation of “culture and identity.” And one’s language embodies just that—culture and identity.

When Language Department Director Mogri Lookout began the day’s first session, he pointed out how the Osage language cannot be easily compared to English. The Osage, a part of the Dhegiha group, however does share a similar language with four other tribes—Ponca, Kaw, Quapaw, and Omaha.

In an article written in 2012 on language and sovereignty, speaking an indigenous language is “reflective of the lands and environments from which they emerge” and through this indigenous language one is “speaking our connection to our lands” and the “relationship to where we come from no matter where we may be.”

Principal Chief Standing Bear wants to lead by example and began this initiative with his staff. It is not expected that participants in these classes will become fluent speakers, but they will gain a working knowledge of the language. It is also expected that more of the Wahzhazhe EA (Osage language) will be spoken and heard among employees.