OSAGE NATION RESERVATION, Okla. (January 27, 2025) - The Osage Nation Language Department (ONLD) announces the launch of two new Osage language books: Corn and Squash, illustrated by Eric Pretty Eagle and Devouring Mountain, illustrated by Cameron Free. A book launch and signing event is scheduled for Friday, February 7, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Osage Nation Visitors Center, 602 E. Main St., Pawhuska, Okla. Books will be available to purchase with Osage artists Pretty Eagle and Free available to sign. Lunch is provided.
"This is part of an ongoing effort to incorporate Osage language into the daily lives of our community," said Osage Nation Language Department Director Braxton Redeagle. "These books provide an opportunity to enjoy the language…to learn it, practice speaking it, to share it with your children…” he continued. “These are our stories, published in our language and beautifully illustrated by talented Osage artists. And this is only the beginning. We are steadily building a library that will eventually have a wide range of our works."
Director Redeagle further explained, “Corn and Squash is a retelling based on the version given by 𐓨𐓘͘𐓻𐓘͘ 𐓘𐓤𐓣𐓰𐓘 over a century ago, and Devouring Mountain is an adaptation of the version given by 𐓨𐓣͘𐓮𐓘͘𐓵𐓣͘ in the 1880s. Multiple versions of these stories were kept among our people and related groups. We all were encoding important insights into story form in order to perpetuate our knowledge and values in a memorable way. We hope to inspire language learning and a deeper understanding of the worldview that lies beneath the surface of our stories.”
ONLD will begin distributing books to Daposka Ahnkodapi, Wahzhazhe Early Learning Academies, and local libraries and schools in February. Books will be available to purchase at the Osage Nation Visitors Center beginning Friday, February 7 at 9 a.m. Shipping options will be available by calling ONVC at (918) 287-0005.