Other dates for this site include:

Demographics

The Osage Indians are a people of pride and strength. Originally hunters, foragers and gardeners along the Osage and Missouri Rivers, the United States government took Osage land in Arkansas and Missouri in 1808 and 1818. Osage life was strictly regulated by tribal customs set by the elders of the tribe; in the face of opposition, the Osage Indians fought to keep their culture and independence intact. The Osage Reservation set up its own constitution and tribal government to remain separate from the United States, trying to retain tribal control, avoid reliance on the federal government and to keep the tribe together. With the discovery of oil on the Reservation in the late 1800s, the United States gained much control over any wealth of the land, causing the Osage to struggle to survive through the Great Depression. The Osage Tribal Council still fights today to remain united. Your group will have the opportunity to bring the love of Christ to the Osage people through practical service, while learning firsthand the truths about Reservation life and the Osage culture.

About the Ministry

We focus on two primary areas of ministry: children and home improvement. Our work with children consists of a hands-on afternoon program led by your youth, known as Kids Club. Kids Club offers high-energy games, crafts, skits, songs and interactive lessons all designed to help kids learn about Jesus. Also during the week, your group will have the opportunity to do home improvement. Oftentimes families struggle to provide the bare necessities of life – maintaining a home takes a backseat when it is difficult to put food on the table. Your group’s willingness to refresh a worn out exterior of a house with a new coat of paint brings real hope and an opportunity to share the love of Christ. Participants will do two days of home improvement and two days of ministry with children, so that everyone has an opportunity to do both. Adult leaders will separate youth into ministry groups, and the youth in your group will be mixed with the youth from other groups for their week of service.

Activities

Our goal with evening activities is to provide an exposure to the unique offering of the week and community. A list of possible evening/cultural activities include: Community cookout; Worship with a local church; and YouthWorks Olympics. These are examples of what your group might partake in during your mission week. These examples are subject to change due to weather or availability. In case of change, suitable substitutes will be provided.

Ministry Week

Two days of house painting repair and two days of ministry with children

Mileage

The Osage Reservation is located in north central Oklahoma, approximately 130 miles southeast of Wichita, KS and 150 miles northeast of Oklahoma City, OK. For more information on trip distances and transportation options, call our Service Center at 1.800.968.8504.

Transportation & Travel

Each group is responsible for transportation to and from the site, and during the mission week.

Additional Information

If you would like more information on what there is to do in the area before or after your trip, check out the following Web sites: http://www.osagetribe.com/tourism.html or www.travelok.com.