“Kiowa: The Ones Who Follow the Sun” Presentation

On August 8, Noah Tsotigh, American Indian Student Interpretive Ranger, gave a talk at Fort Phil Kearny interpretive center. Dave McKee, president of FPK/BTA ( Fort Phil Kearny/ Bozeman Trail Association) introduced the speaker.

Tsotigh talked about his people

His presentation is titled, “Kiowa: The Ones Who Follow the Sun” Tsotigh explains that this area “is the traditional lands of the Kiowa, where our origin stories take place.” In the late 1800s, the Kiowa people were moved to a reservation in Southern Oklahoma.

He passed out some handouts, which showed where the Kiowa once roamed, as opposed to where they live today in Oklahoma.

He pointed out a place on the map in southeastern Canada,

From there they began to trek south, southeast

They settled in what is now Oklahoma. He said the Kiowa were a nomadic people, they followed the seasons and the buffalo herds, so there was not real set place for them to settle.

He talked about several treaties that were made with the tribe, at first they had a pretty big area which took in some of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and New Mexico. He added that they shared that space with the Comanche and Apache people. As time went on, and oil was discovered in the southwest, the land they were restricted to shrunk even more.

He also talked about some of the Kiowa traditions, including the Gourd dance.

It was created to reward and honor warriors returning from battle, and to honor tribal leaders and elders. It was created by a man name Red Wolf. Tsotigh said that traditionally they used a gourd rattle, but today they often use metal rattles.

The gourd dance is very public and a celebration, but some ceremonies are private, like the Sun Dance. It was gifted to them by the Crow on their way South. It is to give thanks to the sun and the creator.

He talked about some of the animals that the Kiowa held in high regard, and the talked about two of the animals.

He also talked about Brother Buffalo, and that the Kiowa depended upon the buffalo for food, shelter, clothing, tools, and everything they needed to live. They used every part of the buffalo, nothing was wasted. Buffalo were held in very high reference among the Kiowa.

He also mentioned that the Kiowa language is disappearing, only a few people speak it anymore, and that bits and pieces of the culture is disappearing as well.

Tsotigh is a citizen of the Kiowa tribe and here for the summer from Oklahoma to participate in the Student Interpretive Ranger program.

Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site and the Fort Phil Kearny/Bozeman Trail Association have partnered with the United States Forest Service to bring two American Indian students to share their cultural perspectives with the public at both the Fort and at Medicine Wheel/Medicine Mountain National Historic Landmark.

This program has been made possible with funding support from the Wyoming Council for the Humanities.

The video room at the Fort Phil Kearny Interpretive Center was full for the program.