The Osage Dedication Of The IMCA Grounds by Cecil Abbott & Richard Hensley

Perhaps by recounting some of the history of the State of Missouri we can help you see the importance of the Osage Nations involvement with the dedication of the IMCA land. At the turn of the Century (1800 - 1808), the Osage Nation controlled and laid claim to an area which included most of what is now known as the state of Missouri, the northern part of Arkansas, the northeastern part of Oklahoma and the eastern part of Kansas. The Osage Nation consisting of the Great Osage and the Little Osage and with their relatives the Kansa or Kaw Nation which controlled most of central Kansas, was considered a fearsome foe.

With the acquisition of the Louisiana Purchase the United States found themselves in a direct confrontation with the Osage Nation. With the treaty of 1808 the Osage Nation was forced to give up their claim to the eastern half of Missouri and the northeastern part of Arkansas. With the treaty of 1825 the Osage were forced to give up the remainder of their claim consisting of western Missouri, eastern Kansas, northeastern Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas. The Osage were forced onto a reservation in northeastern Oklahoma encircling the area of Pawhuska (Whitehair), Grayhorse and Hominy.
          If you will recall the article "The Prejudices and Resentments of 1834" printed in IMCA's Newsletter Issue #4, you will get a feel for the early Missourian's mind-set. They were slave holders and indian haters. The early Missourians were instrumental in driving the indians out of the State of Missouri in 1825 and enacted laws in 1834 to insure they would not be allowed to return.

When IMCA invited the Osage Nation to take an important part in the blessing and dedication of the Indian Ministry land, they were delighted to be involved. The Osage delegation arrived on Friday night April 7, 1995 staying in accommodations provided for them. After breakfast Saturday morning the delegation was shown around the grounds so they could get a feel for the property.

The Osage delegation consisted of: Assistant Chief Ed Red Eagle, Tribal Council members Kenny Big Horse and Dan Cass along with their wives Toby Big Horse and Marion Cass, and several other Osage Tribal dignitaries: Sonny Cunningham, Katherine Wilson, Kenny A very and Mary A very. The delegation commented several times that they could not believe how well they were treated, that they were made to feel so welcome and received in Missouri with such respect.

Around eleven o'clock some 70 or 80 IMCA members and friends gathered around in a circle under a canopy of trees for the blessing and dedication ceremony. The meeting was opened by Elder Richard Hensley with a scripture reading and prayer. The meeting was then turned over to the Osage. Sonny Cunningham expressed his joy as a newly baptized member of Christ's church. Sonny gave a brief historical background of the Osage people who occupied this area. We found his talk very interesting and uplifting. The meeting was then turned over to their spiritual leader and Chief Ed Red Eagle. Ed Red Eagle expressed their thanks for us inviting them and honoring them with this blessing ceremonial. As the meeting continued the circle of people became larger. Ed shared his thoughts and certain spiritual insights upon this solemn occasion. He offered a prayer of blessing upon the land in his native tongue. He then took the burning cedar, representing the blessing of God's spirit, around the circle and left a blessing upon each one present.

About one 0' clock we served a big dinner with BBQ brisket and ham along with all the fixens. We purposely had invited only IMCA members and associate members along with their families to keep the numbers small, around fifty. Somehow the word got out and approximately 150 people were there. Even though we had only planned on the small group there was more than enough food to go around. It reminded us of the parable of the loaves and fishes. In fact we had so much food left over that we donated it to the Lunch Partners program at the old William Chrisman High School.

All in all it turned out to be a perfect day. The weather was nice and all preparations had been made and set in place. We praise the Lord as He blessed our efforts and the dedication was a huge success.