Lucille Robedeaux facts for kids

Lucille Belle Robedeaux (born June 10, 1915 – died November 3, 2005) was an important leader of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma. She was also the very last person who spoke the Osage language as her first language. Sometimes her name is spelled Roubedeaux.

Early Life and Family

Lucille Belle Matin was born on June 10, 1915, in Wynona, Oklahoma. Her parents were Walter Jones and Maggy Helen Matin. They belonged to the Eagle Clan of the Osage people.

Soon after Lucille was born, her family moved to Hominy, Oklahoma. This is where she went to school.

On November 4, 1946, Lucille married Lee Robedeaux. They had children together. Her marriage was one of the last traditional Osage weddings. In these ceremonies, families would exchange many horses.

Community Leadership

Lucille Robedeaux worked for many years at St. John's Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was a nurse's aide from the 1950s until she retired in the late 1970s.

Outside of work, Lucille was very active in her community. She was a member of the Altar Society at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. She also joined the Mound Valley Homemakers group.

Lucille became a respected leader among the Osage people. She was known as an Elder of the Osage Nation. She also advised the Tribal Dance Committee. Her work helped to keep important Osage traditions alive.

Lucille enjoyed traveling. She visited many places across the United States, including Hawaii. She also traveled to Mexico and Europe. She liked watching bullfights and horse races, especially in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Protecting the Osage Language

By the time Lucille Robedeaux passed away in 2005, she was 90 years old. She was the last person who spoke the Osage language from birth. This meant she was the last native speaker.

The Osage language had been slowly disappearing for almost 200 years. People had started programs to try and bring the language back. However, these efforts had not been very successful.

An Osage Elder named "Uncle Mogre" worked hard to save the language. He once said, "This is the last train out. If we can't get it done this time around, then that's it. There is no more after this." This shows how important it was to preserve the language.

Lucille Robedeaux was buried in the A. J. Powell Memorial Cemetery in Hominy, Osage County, Oklahoma. Her grave shows her birth and death dates. She left behind many family members, including four great-great-grandchildren.