Native Study

Kiowa Tribe

The Kiowa tribe originally lived in upper Yellowstone and Missouri area, but then moved down to form an alliance with the Crows. After the alliance they were forced away by the Cheyenne and Arapaho to the Arkansas river. When arriving at the Arkansas river, they met the Comanche who claimed all of the land to the south, which led to a war between the two tribes. Finally, the two tribes made peace and the Kiowa became part of the Medicine Lodge Treaty of 1867 and the government assigned them a reservation in Oklahoma in 1868 where they continue to live today. 

The current chief of the Kiowa Tribe is Gui-pägo, meaning 'Lone Wolf'', however his title is disputed by Ahpeahtone. Ahpeahtone is regarded as the last traditional chief of the Kiowa tribe. Ahpeahtone traveled to Fort Washakie to find religion guidance from the Northern Arapahoes, but they sent him to the Paiutes in Nevada. After returning home to his tribe, Ahpeahtone became a Methodist and established the Kiowa Hospital in Lawton, Oklahoma. After his death, Ahpeahtone was inducted into the National Hall of Fame for Famous American Indians in Anadarko, Oklahoma. 

Ahpeahtone:

Gui-pägo:

Ute Tribe

The earliest Utes came into the United States and stayed along the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains. The Utes may have been the reason that Anasazis moved into sandstone caves because much of the ruins of the Anasazis culture are found throughout reservations of the Southern Utes. When the Utes tried leaving their mountainous area to get food in other places they were fought by the Arapaho, Cheyennes, Kiowa, Apaches, Comanches, Sioux, and Pawnees in the east and northeast, the Navajos and Apaches in the south, and the Shoshones, Bannocks, and Paiutes in the west and northwest. Therefore, the Utes had to remain in the mountainous areas and continue to libe in Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico today. 

Chief Ouray is one of the most well known chiefs of the Ute tribe. He became chief when his father, who was the chief, died. Ouray believed that that war with the whites would end the Ute tribe so he decided to make peace with whites by traveling to Washington D.C. and meeting with President Rutherford B. Hayes where they created a reservation for the Ute tribe. After Chief Ouray died, Chief Sapiah became the official treaty negotiator and chief. In order to create more treaties, he learned English and chose the name Charles Buck, however he became known as Chief Buckskin Charley. He helped rescue children and women that were abducted during the Meeker massacre and became a very well known chief. 

Chief Ouray:

Chief Buckskin Charley: