Date of Award
Spring 5-15-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
History
First Advisor
Dr. Kirstin Lawson
Second Advisor
Dr. Michael Thompson
Third Advisor
Dr. Matthew Tarpey
Keywords
Indian Removal, Oklahoma, Kansas, Cattle Industry, Railroad Industry, Residential Schools
Abstract
The nineteenth century brought novel changes to the whole word, and Indigenous nations were no different. As the United States began the Reconstruction period’s wave of Indian Removal, the Osage Nation employed all sorts of strategies for continued autonomy and provision. Some were governmental, such as signing treaties and seeking new forms of representation. Other times, the Osage made deals with big businesses for an economic boost. The Osage Nation carefully created a new balance to keep settlement from taking their rights to the land. Mostly, however, the Osage Nation accepted new methods and lifestyles while keeping their own culture intact, therefore paving the way for later generations to be economically and culturally rich.
This work focuses on the autonomy of the Osage in the modern era. While colonization was often a crushing force for Indigenous nations, Indigenous nations’ decisions and negotiation were still their own. Therefore, these choices show what the Osage Nation wanted for their future and what they valued most throughout the nineteenth century. The Osage valued their culture and survival more than anything and strategically chose their own way to the twentieth century.
Recommended Citation
Maxwell, Hannah N., "Keeping Sight of the Middle Waters: The Osage Nation's Strategy to Survive Indian Territory" (2026). Electronic Theses & Dissertations. 838.
https://digitalcommons.pittstate.edu/etd/838
