Fire times

Stories of Cultural Burning and Prescribed Fire

- Since 2020

Osage Burning

As told by J.A.T.

My father’s father’s father was Peter Perrier, an Osage Judge. Though I never knew him, and my father’s memories of him are very dim, he lives on through me and my children. I’ve been told my love of words, language, and rhetoric come from him.

I never planned to work the land of my father and his father. My dream was to be a college professor, and while I accomplished that dream, I realized I had a strong need to be connected to the land and traditions of my ancestors as well.

Now, I work an acreage which has been in my family for several generations. At first, my father was by my side, teaching me the ways of this particular piece of land – every boundary, every type of tree, every grass and berry – and now I teach my son.

Fire times

Stories of Cultural Burning and Prescribed Fire

- Since 2020

When I walk the land, I feel closer to my father, and his father, and all the fathers who came before me. It is my point of connection. My family has the deed to the land, but more than ownership, it indicates stewardship. It’s mine to caretake.

Every year or every other year, we burn purposefully and intentionally. On a still day, or as still as we get in Oklahoma, we start early in the morning and light a string of small fires.

My father reminds me how much of our culture involves fire. We often heat our knives in the fire to clean and sterilize them, and fire on the land also cleans it.

Fire times

Stories of Cultural Burning and Prescribed Fire

- Since 2020

The fire cleans the earth. It removes all the packed leaves and vegetation, and allows for new growth to replace it. The char left over helps fertilize the soil. The new growth is sweeter, more weed-free, and our horses and cattle prefer it for grazing.

Fire times

Stories of Cultural Burning and Prescribed Fire

- Since 2020

We pick a day when it is still, and light a series of small fires, but before the first fire is lit, we walk the ground to make sure there are no hazards and to establish where we want the fire breaks. We make sure we have a containment plan, and that our neighbors will not be impacted.

Done correctly, all the ‘trash’ is burnt, the trees are not impacted, and the pasture is rejuvenated and cleansed.

Fire times

Stories of Cultural Burning and Prescribed Fire

- Since 2020

Fire is a tool used in hunting, landscape management, cooking, and maintaining warmth. It is also cultural, and holds stories, memories, and dances which have occurred in its presence. I am Osage. I will forever burn and my son will burn as we care for the land we are allowed to manage.