Some people argue that our government should be a reflection of our culture while others would prefer that the two be completely seperate. What are your thoughts on this and why?
On March 22, 2010,
in Constitution, Culture,
by Ryan Red Corn
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Culture should be of the utmost importance in our Government; with all the money the gaming revenue has brought in we are now able to offer classes that teach Osage youth and adults alike activities that are vital to our tribal identity. A tribe is unique because of the way were are and what we do that seperates us from other groups of people, if we lose this than we might as well cease to exist also. There is a whole other side to a Tribal Government that is run like a corporation and that must co-exist along with our cultural aspect of the Osage Tribe. I would love to see even more money invested in our cultural activites such as online classes for people to take a few nights a week, a lot of Osages don’t live on or around the Reservation and this would be good for them. I think it’s really keen that the Osage Nation Headstart program teaches the kids’ Osage, I feel kind of bad being 26 years old and knowing less Osage than my four year old son. If we streamlined the language classes all throughout the schools when the kids are young this would work wonders for the Osage youth. And lets not just limit it to Osage youth, non-Osage youth would also be welcome. This is just a small fraction of what I would like to say but in a nutshell culture is very important and we must WORK toward preserving it because once those elders are gone someone else must carry the slack, are you ready????????
Conduct. We are so OUT OF ORDER.
I agree that culture is why and who we are, how can you seperate something that exists because of the other? With this newly established government being so young, structure should be a major focus right along with culture. We need our business minded to be able to build a functioning government.
Reflecting on Billy’s comment, he mentioned that the headstart teaches the youth our Osage language, which is such a powerful and wonderful thing, but headstart is not a branch of the government. However, we can learn from their program. I would compare it to the cliche of laying foundation, with culture being the rebar and steel support beams and the concrete being the checks and balances, programs, branches, procedures, etc. and really its not like this structure of government is foreign to Osage culture.
With that being said a strong cultural leader does not always make a strong government member/leader. In that since it gets difficult being able to look at the ballot objectively – or rather who’s best at getting the job done and it becomes an emotional vote.
Though we have divisions and prejudice within us, we are one people and the majority of us are close nit people. I feel now is the time to look at the bigger picture and build our solid foundation and leave room and leeway to work out the particulars down the road. Also, once someone is elected – the campaign’s over! Work with each, support our elected officials, just because you did not vote for them and they won does not mean that you have to hate them. Slander, gossip, and obsessive vendettas are poison that are spread through our people like a plague. In all this controversy let THAT not be the culture we leave behind for our children. A vote is more powerful than a wicked tongue.
An appreciation and base understanding is important to me as a voter. But, if you are suggesting a litmus test then who decides who is traditional enough is dangerous.
Are we suggesting only a “super Osage” can lead our people? I hope not. The best minds will come every walk of life and background.
We need more great minds not fewer.
I, as someone who has tried to keep to to the ways my family has taught me, thinks this political BS, stops at Boundry here in Pawhuska. We will make sure this is OK, AND KEEP YOUR POLITICS OUT OUR DANCE-SIGNED, JUMP (EVERYONE knows who I am)
The only culture our government should have is whatever nature it takes on. If we attempt to project ideals onto it through institutional controls, we are creating a theocracy. Let plurality reign
Our ON government should leave culture alone. That is what was good about the previous Osage government; it left culture out.
I don’t like putting culture under a microscope. The very nature of the Osage I love best is natural, simple and meaningful. It’s already there. I rarely come across people who know the true definition of the word “culture”. I WANT TO END IN SAYING – I DO NOT ENJOY LISTENING TO A PERSON TALK WHO JUST LIKES TO HEAR HIMSELF TALK!
Reading these posts I’m thinking (and i’m serious) what does culture have do with our government??
Gaw, now I want to be Super Osage! So if one falls short of being just that…are they less Osage?
Culture colors everything we do as individuals and as a group. Establishing boundaries between Indian tradition and non-Indian tradition (and creating a balance) helps us navagate each of those worlds successfully. Treating the two worlds as the same results in confusion and difficulty
The system of government adopted by the Osage Nation is rooted in the origins of another culture (and that culture’s experiences), but we use terms (e.g., Tzi-sho, Hunka) that have traditional Osage meaning as labels for our government officials and congressional sessions. I do not think that meaningful comparisons can be made in the majority of those cases. Cultural leaders and governmental leaders vary in numerous ways and being a strong leader of either does not make you a good leader of both.
At this point in our existence we really only have one form of government to choose from (Capitalist) if we are to survive in the majority culture, and form of government should be instilled and executed in the same manner as the non-Indian goverment.
Although I also believe our government should play a role in the maintenance of our culture, our cultural existence is primarily the responsibility of our families and ourselves. That is tradition.
Will, your comments are spot on and I could not agree with you more. Particularly about the relevance of tsizho and hunkah terms and the role of government being there to reinforce cultural existence, but leaving the sole burden of its existence up to the people.
It’s up to the community to set its own parameters about what is and what is not acceptable cultural integration of government and culture. For some this area might be obvious for others it may not be. By making those parameters and that consensus a public conversation it creates a working living set of norms that we can all agree on. That line is going to vary from person to person (as it should) in order to maintain a healthy balance of both of these aspects which we are having to live with.