1

more time will be devoted to

developing the tribe’s presenta-

tion. The parade will kick off

the week long event on August

2nd at 10am in downtown

Anadarko. The parade will

once again be broadcast live on

the “Kiowa Voices” radio show

on KACO 98.5fm in Anadarko.

This year’s Indian of the Year

is Alonzo Moses, a member of

the Arapaho Tribe from

Wyoming. Moses is an author

and Arapaho language master.

A Vietnam Veteran’s tribute

will also be on display this year.

The “Moving Wall” ceremony

is Thursday, August 5th at

10am, followed by the official

opening of the exhibit which

will be open to the public from

the 5th thru the 7th.

for more information go to:

americanindianexposition.org.

INSIDE:

*Red Earth-Kiowa Parade pictures

*New name for Indian Road.

*20 year Director-Head Start.

*Kiowa accomplishments

LEADING THE PARADE...Again

Lorem Ipsum dolor 3

Lorem Ipsum dolor 4

KIOWA NEWSKIOWA NEWSKIOWA NEWSKIOWA NEWS KIOWA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA

July 15th, 2010 Carnegie, Oklahoma Issue 2

For the third straight

year the Kiowa Tribe

of Oklahoma has been

selected to lead the

American Indian Expo-

sition. Last year the

Tribe was well repre-

sented with the pres-

ence of Tribal leaders,

Royalty, organizations,

enteprise and a large

number of floats put

together by Tribal pro-

grams. This year

By David Geimausaddle

Despite the rainy weather, the Kiowa

Tia-Piah Society was able to continue

with their annual celebration during the

Fourth of July weekend.

The members and visitors enjoyed the

first day with just a light sprinkle of

rain every now and then.

However, the second day, with the rain

intermittent throughout the afternoon

and evening, it was decided to utilize a

large tent which had been erected for

the sole purpose of continuing on with

the celebration.

Yet, Mother Nature decided that on

Sunday, July 4th, it was not to be so.

That morning, after a downpour, it was

decided to cancel that days activities

due to all the mud.

Campers and visitors alike experienced

the full force of a muddy parking area

and road.

With the assistance of individuals with

chains, winches, 4-wheel drive vehicles

and just “muscles”, most

of the vehicles were able

to get out . As a result of

that day’s cancellation,

the Kiowa Tia-Piah Soci-

ety has decided to con-

tinue with the celebration

on Friday, July 30th and

Saturday, July 31st, at

Chieftan Park camp-

grounds.

The headstaff for the

continued event in-

cludes:MC-Alonzo Chalepah; Head

singer-Leonard Cozad, Jr.; Head man

dancer-Jeremy Keahbone,

Head lady-Daneta Kauley and A.D. Ricky

Geionety. The weekend activities will begin

on Friday evening with supper at 5pm,

with gourd dancing to follow. Saturday will

begin with gourd dancing 2pm. For more in-

formation, please contact:

Warren Queton, 405.824.6584; Richard

Kauahquo, 405.638.0158; George Tahbone,

Jr. 580.347.3291; Wallace Bointy, Jr.,

405.933.3862; Carol Toppah, 580.492.4497

or David Geimausaddle, 405.638.1917.

WEATHER AFFECTS 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

2

LITTLE RABBITS AT THE

KIOWA GOURD CLAN CELEBRATION

SAME ROAD, NEW NAME

The ‘Indian Road”, west of Carnegie, is

expected to be given a new name in soon.

CR 1330 will be named “Kiowa Veterans

Memorial Road”.

The christening ceremony will be the cul-

mination of an almost year long road pro-

ject by the Kiowa Transportation Depart-

ment.

Erosion and other deterioration of the In-

dian Road, due to weather and everyday use

became a safety issue and was the cause of

many accidents, including some fatalities in

past years.

Realizing the need for an upgrade, the

Kiowa Transportation Department, under

director Chuck Tsoodle, successfully ap-

plied for a grant through the Indian Reser-

vation Program in 2009.

Construction began in November of the

same year.

EVENT POSTPONEDThe Kiowa Cultural Preservation Author-

ity has announced that the “Kiowa War-

riors of WWI and WWII” museum exhibit

has been postponed until November 1st,

2010.

This will allow for additional research and

collection of items for display.

The museum is looking for names of War-

riors ( branch of service and classification),

photographs, weapons, uniforms, items/

trophies of war, letters during war time,

medals and any items related to that era.

For more information on needed items or

any questions, call 580-654-2300 ext. 370

or e-mail kiowamuseum@yahoo.com.

The museum will now re-open at 8am July

15th with a Showcase Exhibit:

“Kiowa Photographs”.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

The Kiowa Newsletter would like to

thank everyone for the response we

received on the initial edition.

The folks at the Lawton Indian Hos-

pital said that they were starving for

information on the the good things

going on with the Tribe.

Ditto for places like the Warrior

Mart in Anadarko, who requested

more.

Copies were also hand-delivered to

the OKC Indian Clinic as well as the

Wellness Clinic.

Several copies were taken to the

Tulsa Clinic and the Okmulgee Clinic

by Kiowa Tribal members living

there.

Any and all information on Kiowa

events or participation is welcome

and encouraged.

Send info and pictures to

keith@kiowaok.com or

kvasquez@kiowatribe.net

Keith VasquezPublic Relations OfficerKiowa Tribe of Oklahoma

He ended his senior season with 49

tackles and 4 interceptions.

Chance was also listed on the LHS

Academic Honor Roll.

His parents are Byron Tapia and Katie

Domebo.

He also has one sister, Celeste.

He will be majoring in Criminal Justice

at SWOSU.

When asked who his favorite athlete is,

his answer was Hines Ward of the Pitts-

burgh Steelers.

Chance Matthew Tapia, a member

of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma, has

been awarded a full football scholar-

ship to Southwestern Oklahoma State

University in Weatherford, Oklahoma.

Chance, who played Free Safety and

Wide Receiver at Lawton High, will

be handling defensive back duties at

SWOSU.

The 6’3” Wolverine was an All Dis-

trict selection at LHS where he served

as team captain for Coach Randy

Breeze.

And also......KIOWA PRIDE!And also......KIOWA PRIDE!And also......KIOWA PRIDE!And also......KIOWA PRIDE!

PROGRAMS and EVENTS

KIOWA NEWSLETTER

Chance Matthew Tapia

3

Kiowa youth was recently featured on

the “Kiowa Voices” radio show.

Part of the Tribe’s Supplemental Youth

Services Program included Career Devl-

opment. The 8th to 11th grade students

chose a career and explained why they

made that particular choice.

After 3 weeks of classroom training, the

SYSP placed the students in jobs related

to their choices and stressed the tribal

importance.

“We hope that after they further their

education they’ll feel a need to come

back and help the tribe”, says Jackie

Bigbow, SYSP Job Developer.

Career aspirations ranged from the medi-

cal field to entertainment to the culinary

arts.

Isaiah Trujillo says that he developed a

love for cooking by watching his grand-

mother make plum jam.

After suffering from a footbal injury,

and seeing all the care it entailed,

Dakota Baker decided on a career in

Physical Therapy.

Other career choices were Pediatric

Nurse, Cop, Video Game Tech, Doc-

tor, Photographer and Rapper.

Lavincent Geionty, 10th Grader, says

that he would like his rap lyrics to re-

flect the struggle of the Native Ameri-

can in today’s world.

Others besides Trujillo, Baker and

Geionty participating in the Career

Development Class were: Jayla

Sankadota, Vernon Satepauhoodle,

Aaron Bear, Cody Eagle, Talisa Lewis

and Angel Woodard.

The Program also offered classroom

training at Caddo-Kiowa Vo-Tech in

Ft. Cobb in Reading and Math and

GED classes for other students in the

summer program.

The “KIOWA VOICES” radio show will be

broadcasting the American Indian Exposi-

tion opening day parade in downtown

Anadarko. The broadcast will begin at

10am on Monday August 2nd.

The show will also be on the road for an-

other broadcast on Friday at the Arts and

Crafts building at the Fairgrounds.

Erminajane Iruegas performed the Lord’s

Prayer in sign language at “An AMERICAN

Band Music Festival at Elmer Thomas Park in

Lawton. Erminajane is a member of the Kiowa

Tribe and the current Little Miss Indian Ft. Sill.

The festival took place over the 4th of July

weekend and featured various kinds of live

music from area bands.

Members of local tribes took the stage on Inde-

pendence Day including the Kiowa, Comanche

and Apache.

Kiowa member Barry Belindo also contributed

to the Sunday morning festivities with Native

American Friendship Drum Song and Dance.

Heavy equipment began a 2 week jobHeavy equipment began a 2 week jobHeavy equipment began a 2 week jobHeavy equipment began a 2 week jobrepaving and striping the parking lot atrepaving and striping the parking lot atrepaving and striping the parking lot atrepaving and striping the parking lot atthe Kiowa Complex in Carnegie.the Kiowa Complex in Carnegie.the Kiowa Complex in Carnegie.the Kiowa Complex in Carnegie.The construction job is being directed byThe construction job is being directed byThe construction job is being directed byThe construction job is being directed bythe Kiowa Transportation Dept. and the Kiowa Transportation Dept. and the Kiowa Transportation Dept. and the Kiowa Transportation Dept. and di-di-di-di-rector, Chuck Tsoodle.rector, Chuck Tsoodle.rector, Chuck Tsoodle.rector, Chuck Tsoodle.

After 36 years of service to the Depart-

ment of Human Services in Anadarko,

Kiowa Tribal member, Anna Berry

Chalepah is retiring.

Anna is an Administrative Tech 4, the

highest rating you can achieve in that

area.

She graduated from Ft. Cobb in 1972

and began her DHS career in 1973

when she was only 19 years old. She is

married to Jerome Tahhahwah and has

a 14 yr. old son, Jeremy.

Anna says laughingly, “I’m ready to

retire.”

SYSP Career Development

KIOWA TRIBE IN LAWTON EVENT

Sundays at noon on 98.5

KACO, Anadarko

CONGRATULATIONS

BIRTHS————————————————

Caylob Gage Satepeahtaw was born

June 25th, 2010 at the Comanche

Memorial Hospital in Lawton, Okla-

homa.

He weighed 6lbs and 15oz. He was 20”

long.

His parents are Robin Gomez and Cody

Satepeahtaw

Eric Don Ahdunko, Jr. was born to

Eric and Crystal Ahdunko on June

29th, 2010.

Eric was born at Comanche Memorial

Hospital in Lawton and weighed 6 lbs.

and 13oz. He was 18” long.

———————————————

To have your births included in theKiowa Newletter, please submit allinformation including location, time,weight, parents and grandparentsnames. E-mail keith@kiowaok.comor kvasquez@kiowatribe.net.

4

The Carnegie Health Service Unit is

expected to open sometimes this fall,

according to Service Unit Director

Hickory Starr, Jr.

The new clinic, located at 210 East 4th

in Carnegie, has been in the works for

at least 8 years. Starr says, “ Just know-

ing that it is finally happening is in-

credible.”

The personnel at the clinic, on the

Kiowa Complex grounds, will be trans-

fered to the new medical facility along

with the addition of possibly two new

individuals.

After the necessary procedures take

place, there are plans for Dental Ser-

vices in the future. The office will

house two chairs and open more oppor-

tunities for employment.

There will be no “shut down” of ser-

vices during the move. Most of the

equipment in the new clinic will be

already in place.

Starr stated that this location will be a

shorter distance for local patients to

travel.

The Kiowa Tribe will be invited to

participate in the Grand Opening cere-

monies sometimes this fall.

NEW CLINIC IN CARNEGIENEW CLINIC IN CARNEGIENEW CLINIC IN CARNEGIENEW CLINIC IN CARNEGIE

KIOWA NEWSLETTER

On June 30th, 2010, Jeannie Toppah was honored

by the Kiowa Tribe and her fellow employees for her

20 years of service to the tribe.

Jeannie has been the Director of the Kiowa Tribe Head

Start Program since July 2nd, 1990.

Co-workers gathered in Red Buffalo Hall to relive the

last 2 decades through pictures.

Executive Director, Walter Ahhaitty, presented the

very surprised, but happy Director with a plaque and a

Certificate of Appreciation.

During her tenure she has increased the funded enroll-

ment of Head Start children and families for the Kiowa

Tribe, expanded center based services to Lawton and

Anadarko and increased staff and funding for the Head

Start Program.

Jeannie has a Bachelor of Science degree in Adminis-

tration of Allied Health Services and Sociology and a

Master’s degree in Public Health from the University

of Oklahoma.

Among her accomplishments, Jeannie is a Head Start-

Johnson & Johnson Management Fellow. This is a

highly recognized Head Start accomplisment through

UCLA. Over the last 20 years she has served several

times on the Oklahoma Indian Head Start Director’s

Association board. Jeannie has also served on several-

advisory committees.

Jeannie is a member of the Navajo Nation. She has

been married to DK Toppah for 32 years. They live in

Weatherford, Oklahoma where they raised their three children Janaye, Cheevers and Hyde.

Jeannie happily accepts tokens of appreciation from Tribe’s E.D.

20 YEARS OF SERVICE

KIOWA FASTRANS

SERVING:

CARNEGIE

ANADARKO

LAWTON

FT. COBB

For Schedules and Rates

CALL TOLL FREE:

1-888-654-2053

5

FIRST REUNION TREMENDOUS SUCCESSBy Martha Koomsa Perez

On Thursday, July 1, 2010, a first reunion

was held for the familiess and direct de-

scendants of Chief Setangya (Satank). This

event commemorated the life of the Great

Kiowa Chief and special recognition of the

two oldest Kiowa Tribal members.

Julia Tsonetokoy Wolf, 94 years old and

Carolyn Hunt Lujan, 94, were honored as

being the tribal and eldest of the Setangya

descendants.

The event was held at the lower city park in

Carnegie, Oklahoma and was a prelude to

the Annual July 4th Kiowa Gourd Clan Cel-

ebration.

A program was presented at 10:15am with

Phil Lujan serving as Master of Cere-

monies.

Carnegie Mayor, Lesley Taylor presented a

welcome to the crowd of 200 people.

A replica of the Shield of the Chief was

presented to Direct Descendants.

The Shield was brought from Ft. Sill by

Colonel Raymond P. Lacey, Garrison Com-

mander and Frank Siltman, Director of Mu-

seums and Military History, U.S. Army

Fires Center of Excellence and full military

escort.

Accepting the shield for the Satangya De-

scendants were Military Veterans: Bill Hall

of Hobart, Steve Hallof Lawrence, Kansas,

Scott and Jerry Hall Zotigh of Waco, Texas

and Lewis Poor Buffalo, Jr. of Carnegie.

Donald Dupoint performed a cedaring for

the shield and the trophies display. Cletus

Tofpi Gayton assisted with the cedaring for

the family members.

A special introduction was given to

Setangya name bearer, Lawrence K.

Brown, son of descendant Wynema

Brace Brown of Hobart

Special recognition was given toall

tribal organization Princesses including

Kiowa Tribal Princess Ellen Toyekoyah.

Dignitary speakers fot the event in-

cluded descendant Dennis Hall Zotigh,

Director of Cultural Events, Smithso-

nian Museums, Washington D.C. and

Kiowa mamber Attorney R. J. Harris,

Candidate for U.S. Congress, Norman.

Satank was also a lifetime leader of the

Ton kon gah (Blackleggings Society).

Prior to a presentation of the Ton kon

gah, Commander Lyndreth “Tugger”

Palmer addressed the occasion.

Following the Blackleggings perfor-

mance, Bill Koomsa, Jr. sang Se-

tangya’s personal Ton kon gah song.

Traditional gifts blankets were pre-

sented by event coordinators, Martha

Koomsa Perez and Phil Lujan, to de-

scendants and honored guests. Gift re-

cipients included Julia Tsonetokoy

Wolf, Carolyn Hunt Lujan, Christine

Hunt Simmons, Phil Dupoint and Tim

Tsoodle, Kiowa Gourd Clan leaders,

honored Military guest Ft. Sill Museum,

Michael Jordan, OU historical Society

Film Crew, Lanny Asepermy, Military

Flag Display, Kenneth and Nakima

Geimausaddle, Medicine Winds News,

Rainbow Carrion, Spiritual Leader and

Cook.

Event medals were presented to male

descendants.

A noon meal was served toall by mem-

bers of the descendant families.

For the last two years, the Kiowa Business Com-

mittee has sponsored and supported the weekly

Art Markets held in the lobby of the Kiowa Com-

plex. The Art Markets are held from 9am to 2pm

every Saturday. There is no charge, although the

artists must provide their own tables and chairs

and clean up the area after the show.

The Kiowa Arts and Crafts group was formed

three years ago to help promote Kiowa arts and

culture. The group approached the KBC for a site

to hold the Art Market. The KBC immediately

recognized the venture as being part of their du-

ties under the Kiowa Constitution to promote

Kiowa arts and crafts. The KBC suggested the

AOA Center as the perfect site. The

group agreed to police the area and

clean up after they closed for the day.

If the center was to be used that day,

the artists could not set up.

Chairman Don Tofpi suggested the

lobby of the Tribal Complex. He also

had hopes of getting the Gift Shop

and Museum open on weekends for

the tourists.

The Art Market is on the United

States National Parks Tourist Trail

and the Oklahoman Southwestern Ok-

lahoma tourist route, which crosses

southwest Oklahoma. The Art Market

has has an average of 10 tourists

each weekend.

The Art Market is open to any

Kiowa artist or craftsperson. The

participants sell beadwork, Kiowa

clothing, turquoise, paintings and

featherwork.

——————————————

The group is currently seeking

somebody to provide food to sell.

Food such as hotdogs, cold cut

sandwiches, stew, chili, cookies,

cakes, coffee, tea, soft drinks, etc.

The vendors set their own prices.

ART MARKET INFO

By Debbie Ahtone

—————————————————————————————

Members of Blackleggings with Setangya descendants

6

OKC HOSTS 24TH ANNUAL RED EARTH FESTIVAL

The 24th Annual Red Earth Festival

was held in Oklahoma City on June 18,

19 and 20, 2010. The Red Earth Festi-

val opened at the Cox Convention Cen-

ter with a parade through downtown

Oklahoma City.

Native American artists and dancers

from throughuot the United States gath-

ered to celelbrate the diversity of their

cultures.

In it’s 24 years, the Red Earth Art com-

petition has matured into one of the

most respected events in the art world.

Many of the artists who exhibit at Red

Earth have won awards at other presti-

gious art competitions.

Many collectors and dealers travel to

Red Earth to seek out tradional and

unique art pieces to add to their collec-

tion

At the Art Market, buyers can purchase

contemporary and traditional examples

of beadwork, basketry, jewelry, pottery,

sculpture, paintings, graphics and cul-

tural items.

There were over 300 artists in the Art

Market.

The Art Competition has fifteen cate-

gories and three large awards.

The photograph “Grandpa’s Girls Feast

Time”, by Alan Yeahquo, took second

place in the Photography category

Tahnee Ahtone Harjo won third place

for her dress “Wood Muskogee Chil-

dren’s Dress”, in the Clothing/Textile

category.

The Grand Award went to Gary Mont-

gomery for his painting, “ Eagle Day”.

RED EARTH, “THE ARTS”By Debbie Ahtone

The Kiowa Tribe is represented in the Red Earth Parade in Oklahoma City.

KIOWA PRINCESS

ELLEN TOYEKOYAH RED EARTH

JOE BOINTY

JORDAN BEARTRACK

BRETNEE BEARTRACK

photos by Jame Eskew