All ages are invited to learn Osage language basics during “Osage Language Class,” at two Tulsa City-County Library locations in November. All library programs are free and open to the public.
- Skiatook Library, 316 E. Rogers
- Thursdays, Jan. 15, 22, 29, 6-7 p.m.
- Zarrow Regional Library, 2224 W. 51st St.
- Wednesdays, Jan. 14, 21, 28, 6-7 p.m.
TCCL’s American Indian Resource Center is sponsoring the classes in conjunction with the Osage Nation Language Department. Students will learn greetings, common phrases and basic vocabulary, and sentence structure. The sounds of Osage will be introduced with the Osage Orthography.
“Like most Native languages, the Osage language is disappearing,” said Janis Carpenter, Osage Nation Language Department principal teacher. “We encourage everyone with an interest to attend a class to help us preserve and revitalize our language for the future. Language is an important part of our culture and we certainly want to see it embraced by new generations.”
The American Indian Resource Center, located at the Zarrow Regional Library, provides cultural, educational and informational resources, activities and services honoring American Indian heritage. The center provides access to more than 5,000 books, periodicals, and media for adults and children by and about American Indians, including historical and rare materials, new releases, language resources, videos and music CDs.
“The concept of the American Indian Resource Center’s various language classes is to create an interest in Native languages,” said Teresa Runnels, American Indian Resource Center coordinator. “The hope is that people will seek further learning through individual tribes or colleges and universities.”
For more information on the “Osage Language Class,” call Runnels, 918-549-7472, or visit the library webpage, www.tulsalibrary.org.
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