Octa Keen Death: It is with deep sorrow and a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of our beloved elder, mentor, language bearer, and cultural warrior, Octa Keen. Her journey to the spirit world on the morning of April 10th has left a void in the hearts of her family, friends, and the entire Umoⁿhoⁿ (Omaha) community. Though we mourn, we also gather in deep reverence and gratitude to honor a woman whose life was a living testament to strength, love, and dedication to her people.
Octa Keen was more than just a fluent speaker of the Umoⁿhoⁿ language—she was one of its fiercest protectors. In a time when many Indigenous languages face the threat of extinction, she stood as a beacon of resistance, of memory, of survival. Through her words, teachings, and presence, she ensured that generations could continue to speak the language of their ancestors, to feel the heartbeat of their identity, and to carry forward the stories of the land and the people who came before.
She was deeply respected not just for her knowledge, but for her warmth. To know Octa was to experience her kindness firsthand. Whether she was sitting at a kitchen table sharing stories, teaching children how to pronounce sacred words, or offering comfort in moments of sorrow, she did so with the compassion and grace that only a true elder could offer. She carried the stories of generations, the humor of the old ways, and the wisdom that only comes from living a life of deep purpose.
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Octa understood the power of language—not just as communication, but as ceremony, as medicine, as resistance. She was tireless in her efforts to teach, translate, and preserve Umoⁿhoⁿ. For her, this was sacred work. She often reminded us that language is not just about words—it’s about worldview. It’s about seeing the world through Indigenous eyes, grounded in community, relationship, and the natural world.
Her life was shaped by service. Whether it was at cultural ceremonies, tribal meetings, classrooms, or family gatherings, Octa showed up. And she showed up fully—present, engaged, listening, and speaking when her voice was needed most. Many young people can still hear her encouraging them to learn, to reclaim, to be proud of who they are. She helped ignite sparks in so many of us—sparks of cultural pride, of curiosity, of purpose. She taught us that we are worthy, that our ancestors walk with us, and that our language is alive, as long as we breathe it.
In losing Octa, we lose a bridge between the past and future. We lose a voice that connected us to the songs and prayers of our grandparents. Yet, even in our grief, we know she has not truly left us. Her words live on in every child who speaks Umoⁿhoⁿ, in every prayer sung in our native tongue, in every elder who remembers and passes it forward. Her spirit will continue to guide us as we walk the path she helped pave.
Her family remembers her as a cornerstone—steady, generous, always guiding with love. Her home was a gathering place, where laughter, learning, and healing happened. She raised not only her own children and grandchildren, but helped raise up a community. Through her wisdom, she mothered a movement—one of language reclamation and cultural renewal.
To her friends, she was a confidante, a storyteller, and a reminder of the good things. Her laughter could ease the weight of the world. Her stories could transport you to another time, a place where the ancestors danced and the earth spoke. She made everyone feel seen and heard, and in that way, she gave us a gift that no material thing ever could.
The Omaha Tribe, and Indigenous peoples across the region, feel the loss of a cultural giant. But we also celebrate her legacy. Octa Keen’s life is a reminder that one person, standing firmly in their truth and tradition, can inspire generations. Her journey may have transitioned, but the ripples of her impact will never cease.
We invite all who knew and loved her to come together in remembrance and gratitude. The wake is being held at All Nations Church in Macy, NE, continuing through Saturday night, April 12th. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Sunday, April 13th, at the Omaha Nation Public School in Macy, NE. All are welcome to attend, to honor this remarkable woman, and to stand with her family and community as we send her home with love and ceremony.
In our traditions, we know that death is not the end—it is a return, a homecoming. We take comfort in knowing that Octa now walks with the ancestors, her voice joining theirs in the sacred songs of the next world. And we, the living, carry the responsibility of continuing her work. We must teach our children. We must speak our language. We must honor our ways. Because that is what Octa would have wanted.
To her family—your loss is shared by all of us. We hold you in our hearts and prayers. May the Creator grant you peace in this time of sorrow. May you find comfort in the embrace of your community, and in the knowledge that Octa’s life touched more people than you may ever know.
To our community—let us remember that mourning is also a time for reflection and recommitment. Let us use this time to uplift one another, to gather around the teachings she gave us, and to continue walking the good road she walked so well.
Rest in power, Octa Keen.
Thank you for your teachings. Thank you for your strength. Thank you for your love.
You will never be forgotten.