Fort Osage Volunteers

Today is #NationalNativeAmerican HeritageDay, and the staff at #FortOsage National Historic Landmark can think of no better way to celebrate than by recognizing... the Fort’s namesake, the #Osage. The Osage called themselves the, Ni-U-Ko’n-Ska, or Children of the Middle Waters. About 1,800 years ago, the Osage ancestral lands spread across the Ohio River Valley, and by the time of European contact, the Osage were living between the Missouri River to the north, the Mississippi River to the east, and the Arkansas River to the south, with the vast plains to the west used for hunting bison, elk and deer. Several accounts from the early 19th century describe the Osage as tall and strong, yet graceful, adorned with beads, bones, and tattoos. The only hair that was not carefully plucked from the men was a tuft on their heads, called a roach. Men’s facial hair was removed, including the eyebrows. For this reason, they would come to call the Europeans, I’n-Shta-Heh, or Heavy Eyebrows after they began to appear in the late 1600s. The name Osage is a corruption of their name given to the Osage by the French, who had difficulty correctly pronouncing the sounds of the Osage language. The French quickly become trading partners of the Osage during their time governing the Louisiana Territory. Many French settlers would come to learn the language, marry Osage women, trade and establish families. To learn more, visit Fort Osage National Historic Landmark and find additional information with books on the Osage in our gift store and cultural items in our exhibitions. Pictured are two prominent Osage Indian leaders who were very familiar Fort Osage: Chief Black Dog (Manka-Chonka) shown standing, Chief White Hair, seen in profile (Paw-Hiu-Skah).

It is with much sadness that we have been informed by Jackson County Parks + Rec that the remaining summer and fall events have been cancelled. The next scheduled event at Fort Osage will be the Candlelight tour. We hope to see you there! https://www.facebook.com/events/570438677062576/

Has anyone seen this man? He was under my employ a while back and has since disappeared. Reward Offered for any information. -Ed