The Osage Nation (Wahzhazhe) is a federally recognized tribe whose government is headquartered in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Long before Oklahoma was a state, the Osage lived across a wide region of the central United States. In the 1800s they were pressured to move, and by 1872 thousands of Osage people reached what is now the Osage Nation Reservation in Osage County, Oklahoma. Over time, the Osage worked to protect their identity and govern themselves in their homeland. In the early 1900s, oil wealth on Osage lands brought both opportunity and terrible injustice, including violent crimes against Osage citizens. Today, the Osage Nation continues strengthening its government, preserving its history, and rebuilding the everyday use of the Osage language for future generations.
Three interesting facts
The Osage Nation’s population is now over 25,000, and 4,467 live in Osage County on the Osage Nation Reservation.
The Osage Nation completed its first-ever Osage Nation Census, with 3,922 responses, and plans to do it every five years.
Osage leaders have used modern tools (like an Osage language app and immersion/early learning programs) to help restore everyday language use.
What is the tribe’s most recent population census?
The newest “nation-level” census information comes from the Osage Nation’s first-ever census, which was conducted in June–July 2023 and reported in 2024. The Nation received 3,922 responses (with 3,604 completed and 318 partial)—these responses help leaders understand needs like health, education, housing, and language use. It’s important to note that this census was a detailed survey of citizens who participated, not just a headcount of everyone enrolled. For overall size, Osage Nation resources commonly describe the Nation as over 25,000 citizens/members today.
What is the language spoken by the tribe?
The tribe’s traditional language is Osage, also called Wahzhazhe (often written today with a modern Osage orthography). Osage is part of the Dhegiha Siouan language family, related to languages spoken by the Omaha, Ponca, Kaw, and Quapaw peoples. In recent years, Osage leaders have emphasized that the language is endangered, with major efforts aimed at rebuilding fluency through teaching, resources, and daily-use learning.
Is there a language revitalization program in the tribe?
The Osage Nation has organized language revitalization through efforts such as the Osage Nation Language Department, which states its mission is to revitalize and teach Osage for daily conversation. The Nation has also supported practical learning tools, including an Osage language app, and has connected language learning to school settings (including immersion/early learning programs noted in Nation communications). In addition, the Nation has released ongoing educational media (videos and other content) to support learners at different levels.
Does the tribe have any Christian history?
The Osage Nation has a meaningful Protestant Christian history that developed during the late 1800s and early 1900s in Indian Territory. Presbyterian missionaries were among the early Protestant workers, establishing mission churches, encouraging Bible reading, and supporting education in Osage communities. Methodist ministers also traveled through the region, preaching in organized services and revival meetings and helping form local congregations. Baptist missionaries later contributed by planting churches and strengthening preaching ministries in the area. Over time, Osage believers became pastors, teachers, and church leaders within these Protestant traditions. Sunday schools, camp meetings, and regular worship services became part of community life. Today, Protestant churches continue to serve in and around Pawhuska and Osage County, reflecting more than a century of Protestant Christian influence among the Osage people.
Is there a Bible in the language of the tribe?
There are Scripture portions in the Osage language, though not a widely used, modern “complete Osage Bible” in common circulation. The best-known early Protestant-era publication is Washashe wageressa pahv̱greh tse = The Osage First Book (1834), which is cataloged specifically as “Bible. Osage. Selections.” It was printed for the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (a major Protestant missions organization) and includes selected passages from both the Old and New Testaments, including material from the Gospels.
Are there any Bible translation efforts in the tribe?
There are, especially in the sense of preserving, recovering, and supporting Osage-language translation work. Osage reporting describes major efforts to identify and preserve historic Osage-language religious documents (including Bible translation materials) found in Jesuit archives. Also, the Osage Nation Language Department accepts translation requests (English-to-Osage), which supports ongoing language development that can include faith-related texts if requested and approved. These kinds of steps—archival recovery plus modern language translation capacity—create a pathway for future scripture work even if a full modern Bible is not yet broadly published.
Are there any gospel hymns in the tribe’s language?
There are examples of church hymns in Osage. One public example is a recorded “Osage Song of Healing” described as a church hymn (with words dating back to the 1800s). While not every hymn is widely documented online, this shows that Osage-language Christian hymnody exists and has been shared publicly.
