The Probert Encyclopaedia of People

OSAGE

The Osage are a North American Indian tribe of the Siouan language family and of the Plains culture area. They formerly held an extensive territory between the Missouri and Arkansas rivers. In the 17th century they were discovered by French explorers near the Osage River in present-day Missouri; they subsequently allied themselves with the French against other tribes, particularly the Illinois, and with the French against the English. Between 1808 and 1870 the Osage sold most of their land to the USA. In 1870 they entered their present reservation in north-eastern Oklahoma, securing favourable terms in land leases and interest derived from trust funds held for them by the US government. Subsequently, oil was discovered on their lands and, with royalties on the oil wells, they became the wealthiest Indian community in the nation. Their population was about 5500 in the early 19th century; in 1990 Osage descendants numbered 9527.
Research Osage