Why is Killers of the Flower Moon relevant today?
By Neeraja Kulkarni
Killers of the Flower Moon is a gripping true story brought to light by Fletcher alum David Grann. His investigations led to the unraveling of harsh, chronic injustices faced by one community in a systemically oppressive manner. Today, the story is gaining worldwide appreciation due to its film adaptation by critically acclaimed filmmaker, Martin Scorsese. In this article, I will briefly outline the plot of these horrific crimes and then identify the relevance of the book and movie in the 21st century; be aware as there are spoilers.
It has been nearly a hundred years since one of the most gruesome crimes was perpetrated against the Osage Native Americans in Oklahoma. The Osage lived peacefully on their reservation until the discovery of black crude oil. After battling for representation and justice to various government bodies, the Osage obtained headrights for their lands and received substantial compensation from oil extraction. At that time, they were the world’s wealthiest people in terms of per capita income. However, many wealthy members of the Osage Nation were allotted guardians, who were mostly white men, to “guide” them in managing their own wealth. Eventually, the greed for oil money led to a systematic massacre, forcing Osage families to migrate. Over time, the vibrant Osage culture disintegrated, becoming dark and bleak as the story unfolds.
While more than 605 Osages died (1907 to 1923), Killers of the Flower Moon follows the story of Mollie Burkhart, a “full-blooded” Osage, whose three sisters, mother, and daughter had all died as events unfold. Once it is revealed that Mollie’s husband Ernest Burkhart, played a primary part in several grand murder schemes, all faith of happiness for her is lost. One can only imagine the extent of this loss and betrayal. William K. Hale, the Deputy Sheriff and Ernest’s uncle, turns out to be the mastermind behind these inhumane schemes; his greed for Osage money had driven him to relentlessly try and secure Mollie's headrights. Their atrocities went as far as poisoning her with compromised insulin shots over a long period of time. A courageous investigation led by Detective Tom White and his team of undercover agents, from the Bureau of Investigation (now FBI) ultimately solves the murders. After several rounds of court acquittals, one of which was dismissed due to biased jury members, Ernest Burkhart and William Hale were finally charged with first-degree murder. These events helped reveal the need for an overlooking federal security and intelligence agency, leading to the birth of the FBI.
The Osage story remains highly relevant today in the context of environmental justice, particularly considering recent relaxations in oil drilling in Alaska without a proper consideration of its impacts. For instance, both the Trump and Biden administrations approved the Willow Project, an $8 billion project that would produce more than 180,000 barrels of oil per day. These drilling sites are dangerously close to the Inupiaq community who are already facing the consequences of similar activities in its close proximity. Alaskan Natives have spoken against the project, citing the past harmful effects of oil and gas extraction, including illness in fish, malnourishment of Caribou, and toxic air quality. While some organizations do support this multi-decade deal, the long-term environmental and social impacts seem a high price to be paid, not by the oil company ConocoPhillips, but by the Alaskan Natives.
The grave events portrayed in Killers of the Flower Moon still pertain to the reservations in Oklahoma. In the 1930s, as the frequency of oil extraction reduced, so did the income for the Osage. The Osage had to search for alternative ways to fill this newly emerging income gap, most of which they were limited to use due to discrimination and bigotry, showing how often wealth does not necessarily equate to power, especially in the case of marginalized communities such as Native Americans. As valuable resources are discovered, major oil corporations, often with the support of politically influential government bodies, frequently manipulate these communities, disguising the exploitation as a result of having a “resource curse.” These recurring acts of repression reflect how communities are often perceived as means to a profitable end.
As Grann puts it in his book, “history is a merciless judge.” As a next step, it is crucial that Americans today speak about these injustices and overturn the montage of historical and geographical whitewashing. Their existence should not be erased, as the injustices are a part of America’s foundation. It is far more vital that these stories and voices reveal such inequities so that it does not repeat similar patterns of oppression toward sustainable development. This Native American Heritage Month, remember that they are “still standing under the sun” and that the US government should strongly consider pertaining to moral obligations so as to provide these communities with long-term reparations. On a more hopeful note, the US has the ability and the power to do so – the question is, do they have the will?
Neeraja Kulkarni is a Master in Global Affairs student at The Fletcher School.