S2, E7, P2: Jim Gray, Former Chief of the 𐓁𐓣 𐓂𐓤𐓘𐓯𐓤𐓘͘ (Osage) Nation, on His Family & The Reign of Terror

“Despite our wealth, our lives were cheap. 
- Jim Gray discussing his Osage people in “Indian Country Today” magazine, Sept 13, 2019

On February 6th, 1923, hunters came upon a Buick that had crashed into a slope in Fairfax, Oklahoma. The 40-year-old driver was found slumped over the steering wheel, a bullet in the back of his head. He was an Osage man, lured into a dangerous trap by a white man - someone he thought was a good and trusted friend. 

The book, “Killers of the Flower Moon” by David Grann tells the story of the Osage murders and “The Reign of Terror”, a time when non-Native guardians were killing for the sake of inheriting land. But not just any land – Oklahoma mineral rich land, and the oil was producing millions of dollars for the tribe. This story is soon to be released as a movie by Martin Scorsese, with Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio and an impressive slew of Native actors from across Oklahoma and elsewhere.

Join me in this conversation with Jim Gray, the great grandson of the man found murdered in the car - Henry Roan. Although it happened long ago, the pain couldn’t be more real, and it’s still felt today among his family members and the community.

As former Chief of the Osage Nation, Jim was actually the youngest Chief in modern history and you’ll hear about how in 2004, he was able to ensure the Osage’s sovereignty was finally recognized!

You’ll also learn about:

⦁ The impact Jim had on Martin Scorsese to rewrite the “Killers of the Flower Moon” script
⦁ How his friend taught Robert De Niro to speak Osage 
⦁ Thoughts on Osage living side-by-side with descendants of those who killed the Osage
⦁ The story of David Grann at a book signing. Hint: the descendants of both William Hale and Henry Roan were present
⦁ Whizbang, OK and why Jim’s face turned red
⦁ The latest on McGirt vs Oklahoma and tribal sovereignty, and Governor Stitt’s fight to have the Supreme Court ruling reversed

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