Richard Lonsinger at his home in Lawrence, Kansas, holding a photo of himself as a child shortly after he was adopted.
Sam Yellowhorse Kesler/NPR
Richard J. Lonsinger is a member of the Ponca tribe of Oklahoma, who was adopted at a young age into a white family of three. He eventually reconnected with his birth family, but when his birth mother passed away in 2010, he wasn’t included in the distribution of her estate. Feeling hurt and excluded, he asked a judge to re-open her estate, to give him a part of one particular asset: an Osage headright.
But the more Lonsinger learned about the history of the headrights, the more he began to wonder who was really entitled to them, and where he fit in.
This story originally aired on NPR’s Planet Money. You can read a longer version of Lonsinger’s story here. And you can check out more from Planet Money over on their feed. We recommend starting with this episode about a green energy gridlock.
The Code Switch version of this episode was produced by Jess Kung, edited by Leah Donnella, and hosted by Lori Lizarraga.
Felecia Phillips Ollie DD (h.c.) is the inspiring leader and founder of The Equality Network LLC (TEN). With a background in coaching, travel, and a career in news, Felecia brings a unique perspective to promoting diversity and inclusion. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in English/Communications, she is passionate about creating a more inclusive future. From graduating from Mississippi Valley State University to leading initiatives like the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program, Felecia is dedicated to making a positive impact. Join her journey on our blog as she shares insights and leads the charge for equity through The Equality Network.
