Hopes of Osage Nation Chief on the Impact of Killers of the Flower Moon

Summary

Osage Nation Chief hopes that the release of Killers of the Flower Moon will continue to spark discussion and influence young members of the Osage Nation.

Chief Geoffrey views the movie and book as catalysts for raising awareness about the significance of language, culture, and land for future generations. Despite potential differing opinions on the portrayal of Osage people in the film, Chief Geoffrey regards its impact as groundbreaking and regards it as an authentic narrative conveyed by the Osage community.

Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear, the true leader of the Osage Nation, shares his desired outcome for the film Killers of the Flower Moon. Based on David Grann's 2017 book, this Martin Scorsese epic delves into the mysterious murders of Osage Nation members in the 1920s. At the heart of the story are Ernest and Mollie Burkhart, brilliantly portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone, alongside a talented supporting cast featuring Robert De Niro and Brendan Fraser.

Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear recently voiced his hopes for the impact of Killers of the Flower Moon. In an interview with Deadline, he explained that the movie's release marks the culmination of years of the Osage people's efforts to reclaim lost lands. He believes that the film and book have sparked valuable conversations and desires for continued discussion, especially amongst the younger generation of the Osage Nation. Chief Geoffrey's full statement can be found below.

From my perspective as chief over the past 10 years, and having been involved with my people even before that, our focus has been on regaining the land we had lost. For example, we acquired 43,000 acres from Ted Turner and his companies. Additionally, we have established a cattle herd of 2000 and a bison population of 250. In response to the pandemic, we invested in a 40,000-square-foot greenhouse and a meat processing plant. Our commitment to building our nation is unwavering.

This movie and book have sparked a valuable discussion, evoking emotions such as anger, pain, and a renewed dedication to addressing generational trauma through treatment, discussion, and therapy. We are further dedicated to preserving what little we have left in terms of language, culture, and land. As the next generation grows up, we hope they utilize the energy that has been ignited and channel it creatively. I sincerely urge them to listen to the wisdom of our ancestors and discover what truly matters as they move forward. Although this extends beyond my lifetime, I believe this movie will have a profound historical impact. It is not Hollywood telling our story, but rather us telling Hollywood.

The Reaction To Osage Representation In Killers of the Flower Moon Explained

Chief Geoffrey's positive perspective on the epic movie, referring to its impact as "historic," contrasts with divided opinions on the portrayal of Osage people. Christopher Cote, an Osage language consultant, recently critiqued Killers of the Flower Moon for not centring the Osage people, including Mollie, in the script. Devery Jacobs, an actor from Reservation Dogs who is Mohawk, also expressed dissatisfaction with the portrayal of the murders, deeming it "unnecessarily graphic."

Another significant discrepancy between Chief Geoffrey's viewpoint and that of other Native American talents lies in the notion that Killers of the Flower Moon is not a story about Osage people by Hollywood, but rather Osage people telling Hollywood. On the other hand, Jacobs argued that there is an issue when non-Native directors are given the freedom to narrate stories about Native American people. Both perspectives have validity, as the Osage Nation people did serve as consultants on the film but were not the driving creative force. Director Martin Scorsese, along with many prominent members of the production team, is White.

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Despite the controversial presentation of the Osage Nation in Killers of the Flower Moon, Chief Geoffrey's assertion remains indisputable - the movie has prompted a significant dialogue. Despite certain errors in execution, Scorsese's monumental creation sheds light on these concealed homicides. Through the conclusion of Killers of the Flower Moon, which critiques the exaggerated portrayal of true crime, Scorsese acknowledges the intricacy and subtlety involved in recounting such narratives, despite its shortcomings.

Source: Deadline