The Osage Reign of Terror: The Untold Legal History - Film Screening

SPECIAL SCREENINGS FOR THE WDOK COURT FAMILY AND FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AT THE FEDERAL JUDICIAL LEARNING CENTER & MUSEUM:

The Federal Judicial Learning Center and Museum in The Old Post Office Building & Federal Courthouse, 215 Dean A. McGee Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73102 in Downtown Oklahoma City, which houses the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Enter from the south side of the building. PHOTO ID is required for entry

EARLY ARRIVAL RECOMMENDED TO CLEAR U.S. MARSHALS SECURITY IF ARRIVING FROM OUTSIDE OF THE COURTHOUSE

VIEWING OF THE DOCUMENTARY VIDEO WILL BE IN THE 2ND FLOOR BANKRUPTCY COURTROOM OF JUDGE LOYD ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE BUILDING

11:30 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. - Screening One (limited to 75 persons)

12:20 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Screening Two (limited to 75 persons)

The Screening of the Film will be in the restored original federal courtroom where U.S. v. Hale & U.S. v. Ramsey was tried in 1926, now in use by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Janice Loyd, on the 2nd Floor of the Old Post Office Building

Oklahoma Indian Bar Association President Arvo Mikkanen was proud to work with the Board of Directors of the Historical Society of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma to create the public exhibit and he served as executive producer of a 30 minute documentary film for the Federal Judicial Learning Center and Museum in Oklahoma City focusing on the legal history of the infamous and tragic Osage murders. He will introduce the film and, after the screening, facilitate a short Q&A session.

11:00 - 1:30 p.m. - Refreshments & Exhibit Tour will be provided in the Federal Judicial Learning Center & Museum on the first floor at the east end of the building. Attendees may view the physical exhibit of information, photos, maps, cultural items, documents & relevant artifacts.

An Osage Wedding Coat and Hat owned by Lillie Morrell Burkhart, similar to those seen in the movie "Killers of the Flower Moon," is one of the traditional tribal artifacts on display in the Federal Judicial Learning Center and Museum. The Wedding Coat, a uniquely Osage tradition, has its roots in history when U.S. officials presented the Osage Nation military coats in the early 1800s, when good relations and treaties were sought between the Osage and United States. These highly prized items, came to become family heirlooms, only displayed or worn on special occasions, such as weddings. The inclusion of the Osage Wedding Coat is to highlight the sinister nature of the criminal conspiracy Hale, Ramsey, Ernest Burkhart, as well as others such as Byron Burkhart (who married Lillie Morrell Burkhart), and Kelsey Morrison, to name a few, who intermarried into the Osage tribe with the intent to kill and inherit the property of their spouses' and spouses' families, or otherwise take their property from them.

Other items in the exhibit include original maps of the Indian Territory which are over 130 years old, Osage fingerweaving, a reproduction of 1920s period Pendleton trade blankets, a reproduction of a 1927 Osage Indians Football jersey worn when the all Native team played the New York Giants during this time period, as well a traditional shawl, dance fan, ribbonwork, and many copies of original documents, court pleadings, and telegrams from the investigation and trials.

The program is free of charge as part of the MAY 1 celebration of 2024 LAW DAY by the Historical Society of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma and its Federal Judicial Learning Center and Museum.

Visit our Website: https://www.wdokhistory.org/ to see more about the Society, make donations, or join in our efforts to learn how "The Rule of Law Keeps Us Free."

The exhibit was made possible by a grant from the Oklahoma Historical Society with support of the White Hair Memorial Osage Learning Center.

The “Osage Reign of Terror: The Untold Legal History” film documentary details legal issues related to the true events that are the subject of the book “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which was also a major motion picture that was released worldwide on October 20, 2023, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladsone, and Robert De Niro, which was directed by Martin Scorcese, and which was nominated for numerous Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards.

The documentary, featuring attorneys and Osage tribal members, discusses the historical removal of Osage people from their traditional homelands to the Indian Territory. Following Oklahoma statehood, the focus of the program will center on the Osage Nation and the impact of the discovery of oil and gas resources, as well as the impact of the allotment of the Osage Reservation and the creation of reserved oil and gas headrights, held by tribal citizens.

The questions regarding state vs. federal jurisdiction will be discussed, as well as the murders of Henry Roan, Anna Brown, Bill & Rita Smith, Nettie Brookshire, and other Osage tribal members by William K. Hale and John Ramsey, perpetrated in order to take and/or inherit assets of tribal members. The film will discuss the federal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Investigation (“BOI”), the precursor to the modern Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), the state proceedings against Ernest Burkhart, and the trials of and appeals by William K. Hale and John Ramsey in the Western District of Oklahoma federal courts in Guthrie and Oklahoma City.

Video Production by JSB Video:

Website: www.jsbvideo.com
About Us: JSB Video, founded by Jordan Scott Berns, is a dynamic video production agency that merges the art of storytelling with technical expertise. We specialize in a diverse array of projects, including documentaries, commercials, corporate videos, podcasts, event coverage, live-streaming, and technical consulting. Our dedication to crafting compelling narratives is seamlessly integrated with our technical knowledge, ensuring that each project not only tells a powerful story but is also executed to the highest standard. We take pride in every project, ensuring they are not just fulfilling for our clients but a reflection of our passion and commitment to excellence.
Contact: jordanberns@jsbvideo.com, +1 (408) 824-4063

Email to leigh@fjlcm.org or arvo.mikkanen@usdoj.gov for more information. Contact Leigh Wedge, Executive Director via text at 405/697-6117 or Arvo Mikkanen via text at 405/420-9912 if you have any questions.