NUMU TEKWAPUHA NOMENEEKATU NEWSLETTER Oct-Nov-Dec 2011 Vol. #14 Issue #4 The Language & Cultural Preservation Committee 1375 N.E. Cline Road, Elgin OK 73538-3086 www.comanchelanguage.org fax: 1-580-492-5126 e-mail: [email protected] Editor: Barbara Goodin

INDIAN TRAIL TREES After a time of wandering (after the Our friend Don Wells and the disbandment of the Lewis & Clark Mountain Stewards of Georgia have Expedition), Sacajawea joined the been very busy since their visit here in Comanche Indians, a related tribe of the August of 2008. At that time they had Sho-sho-ne who lived on the Canadian documented 1600 trees, and now that River north of the present Amarillo, number stands at 1,714, with 15-20 . more to be added in the near future. Dr. Grace Raymond Hebard, who In our April 2009 Language published a book titled “Sacajewea” Newsletter we talked about their noble wrote: …the language of these people quest and how they were discovering she could understand and they in turn many mysteries of our early ancestors. could understand her, for they were in They have a web site at fact a branch of the Sho-sho-nes… Here www.mountainstewards.org and they in the course of time Sacajawea married also have a quarterly online newsletter a member of this tribe, by the name of that is sent out. We always enjoy Jerk Meat. With this husband she lived reading about their latest harmoniously for a number of years, accomplishments when their newsletter giving birth to five children, only two of comes in our e-mail. whom survived. We invite you to go online and read One of these was a son called about this unique group of people and Ticannaf* and the other, the youngest of the many interesting trees they have the five, a daughter named Yakee documented and attributed to our native Wosi*, or Crying Basket. ancestors all over the country. Shortly after the birth of this child, Jerk Meat was killed in battle. From this time Sacajawea was „not in harmony (Editor: More excerpts from ‘Neath with her husband‟s people‟ and decided August Sun, 1901) to leave the and seek her own tribe….she so completely SACAJAWEA disappeared that her whereabouts was by Edith Connelley Clift, page 198 unknown for many years and the Comanche thereafter spoke of her as Sacajawea was one of the wives of Watsi Wai?ipu, or Lost Woman. Charbonneau, interpreter for Lewis and When she left the Comanche she Clark. She was a Snake or Sho-sho-ne carried with her, her small daughter. Indian girl of perhaps sixteen years. Her Comanche son, Ticannaf, left She was of unusual intelligence and behind, searched for her long and appeal. unsuccessfully.

1

The daughter of Sacajawea‟s son, wondered if Kiwena was actually Ticannaf, was Tah-cu-tine*, or Ta-soon- Koweno, and if Hi-we-nah and He-we- da-hipe, translated to “Take Pity On.” nah were the same name and could be She resided within a few miles of a Comanche named Hi-we-ni, whom I Lawton, , for many years and found in old census records.) was the wife at the time of her death of Pah-we-tipe, who lived near Indiahoma. A Dr. Alexander Eastman was NOTED INDIANS detailed to Lawton to talk with many of OF COMANCHE COUNTY the aged Comanches to corroborate and by Elizabeth Williamson, p.206 verify the details of the life of Sacajawea. Comanches commonly Oklahoma, the land of the Red Man, seen on the streets of Lawton are is rich in Indian lore. Eighty different quoted at length in these reports. A few tribes of Indians have lived in of these are We-sa-poie, mother of Tah- Oklahoma. Some of the noted Indians cu-tine‟s last husband; Mum-su-kih*, of the past and present have lived in brother of Tah-cu-tine‟s first husband; Comanche County, near Lawton. George Ki-we-na*, Tah-cu-tine‟s Per-mun-ske, the noted Comanche nephew; He-we-nah*, first cousin to Scout, was born in 1851 in a teepee on Tah-cu-tine; and Wm. Karty, nephew of the banks of the Canadian River, near Hi-we-nah*. There are others among the Antelope Mountains. When he was the Comanche who bear blood about ten years old his parents moved relationship to Sacajawea. to the , where Per- mun-ske lived until his death. At the (*Editor‟s Note: I spent some time age of nineteen, the very year that researching the above information and Sheridan established in the could find no mention of either Ticannaf heart of the Comanche Country, Per- or Yakee Wosi in the early Comanche mun-ske, whose name means “The census records. Hairy One,” took to the warpath against Tah-cu-tine (or Tah-su-tine) also the white man. known as Ta-soon-da-hipe, was married One year later he realized that it was to Ase-naw at one time. She was also hopeless for the Indians to fight against married to Pah-we-tipe, whose father the advance of the white man. He cut was Pe-sah-mock-ah and mother was off his braids, cast aside his blanket and We-sah-poie, a Mexican Captive of the on December 1, 1874, enlisted for two Comanches. We-sah-poie was the months service with the Indian Scout daughter of Si-ah-cheen-e-kah (Straight Detachment. Was discharged with Feather). “Good” character on February, 1875. (An interesting note: the home of He immediately reenlisted as head of Straight Feather still stands south of the the Scout Detachment taking part in the Lake Ellsworth Dam, about ¼ mile south -Comanche- campaign of the Highway, back in the timber, and of 1875. It was during his enlistment can be seen from the road. The house that the Fort Sill garrison was sent out is made of blocks and no longer has a after bands of Indians who were keeping roof or windows.) the whites in constant terror. We-sa-poie was also the mother of The Indians were hidden in the Ter-che-sy (also known as Pi-bitter). I Wichita Mountains where they knew found no information on Mum-su-kih. I every rock and tree. The white soldiers 2

would have been entirely at their mercy the Bert Bear place. The country was but the Indian Scouts, under Per-mun- very primitive, very few white people ske, led the way to their retreat. The here. Anadarko was the nearest scouts located the Indian camp and railroad so lumber and supplies were returned with their report. The soldiers freighted from there. Her story: had hardly pitched camp when the battle “The Indians were camped that began with a volley from the Indians. winter on Medicine Creek, about a mile The fight was on. Gradually the firing from the store. Smallpox broke out from the Indian camp died. The soldiers among them and they, finding out I was advanced and found one small boy, the afraid, would come in the store and say, only survivor, crawling from behind the “Indian coming, smallpox,” and of rocks and making his escape. The course I disappeared in a hurry which Indian scout hurried forward to look in amused them very much. Many funny the faces of those who had fallen. The things happened. I had been told I must faces were those of his own relatives not laugh at them, but they can see a and friends who had been his comrades joke as well as anyone and laugh as on the war path before he joined the hearty. army of the . There lay One day an old Indian came to the Ter-ak-a-nee-cut, his father-in-law, and store. He never wore the white man‟s Pah-po-ter-a-pet, his uncle, and Pe-ah- clothes, but that day he had gotten a ter-who-noovy, leader of the band, and shirt and was trying to put it on. The seven more of his best friends. His face store was full of Indians and all looked showed no emotion, finally he raised his on but never a word or smile. I laughed head and said, “We cannot help it, I did harder than I ever did in my life. The my duty.” He returned later to his women looked first at me and then at people and was chief for thirteen years. the Indian (poor old Ha-vaht) and the (Editor: I did some research and could roar of laughter that those Indians gave not verify that he was known as Chief of sure was hearty. the Comanches.) One day a white man drove to the was chosen Chief store, wanting to be seen and heard. after Per-mun-ske. He was chief at the The Indian, Stumbling Bear, was in the opening of the Kiowa-Comanche store, a large fine-looking Indian. The country in 1901. Both Quanah and his fellow in a loud tone said, “Hello, John, mother are buried in the Post Oak how are you, John?” The Indian turned Cemetery near Cache. (Editor’s Note: around and said, “I‟m John, I‟m mad, I They were both later moved to the Fort kill.” Well, the white man did not stay to Sill Post Cemetery.) find out who the Indian wanted to kill, but left the store in a hurry. James Murry of the Bureau of ANOTHER STORY OF NOTED Ethnology and his wife were doing INDIANS OF COMANCHE COUNTY research work the summer of 1901 with the assistance of the Indians. They by Mrs. Jeanette Rowell, p.207 made replicas of the tents and shields of In June, 1900, Mrs. Jeanette Rowell the different tribes of Oklahoma. Their of Kansas and Dr. Rowell of Connecticut work was mighty interesting. drove from Anadarko to Mt Scott. They There are many places of historical were looking for a trading post which interest near Lawton, and many noted was located on what is now known as 3

Indians were living around Mt. Scott at trade with us in the future instead of the that time.” new trader, and he did. Among the first things which he wanted to buy was a wagon and ANOTHER STORY… harness, which I sold him. When he by E.W. Livingston, p. 208 came for his wagon he brought another almost brand new wagon with him. I I came here in 1901 and worked as asked him what he was going to do with an Indian trader until September, 1911, the other wagon. “Want to buy it?” I a mile north of the Indian School, until told him I had no use for it, but if he left all the Indian traders had to move off the the wagon I would try to sell it for him. I reservation. asked him why he wanted to sell that From the time I went to work in the wagon and buy a new one, and he said Indian Trade store to the last day, the the wagon belonged to his wife and she Indians and their ways have been a very was dead. That was an Indian custom, interesting study. Their way of living never to keep anything that had and their ideas were so different from belonged to a member of the family who those of the white people – more like the had died. He sold me that wagon for people of thousands of years ago, living $10 or $12. I didn‟t want it, but he close to nature. wanted to get rid of it. Quanah Parker was chief of the (Editor’s Note: This next part of Comanches at that time and a very Livingston’s story is a little far-fetched, interesting man to talk to. He enjoyed but it does make for an interesting read. talking of his trips to Washington, and Draw your own conclusions. Maybe the different things that had happened in family members living today can verify his life, a very smart Indian. the story.) Most of the Indian trade at the post Post Oak Jim still lives around was with the Comanche Indians, and Cache. At the time of the early days he many peculiar happenings took place was a policeman at the Fort Sill sub- during the nine or ten years I was there. agency. One day he went over to One Indian came in one day and wanted Cache and got…in a fight. He was shot to know of the bookkeeper what his in the mouth with a .41 caliber pistol, account was. The bookkeeper looked it knocking his two front teeth out. That, up and said it was $285. “My,” said the of course, broke the force of the bullet, Indian, “that‟s a lot of money,” then but it plowed on until it lodged in his studied and said “but I not scared, are throat, and knocked him down. He got you?” The old Indians as a general rule up and cleaned out the saloon. Then he were pretty honest and would pay their started for the agency and the story is debts. that he ran all the way and yelled every A man named Sam Strauss was an jump. A man named Isom was agent Indian trader until after the country there. When he got up and saw how he opened, then sold his business to A.D. was shot, he figured he was in a dying Lawrence and Son. Ker-che was Sam‟s condition and took him over to Fort Sill, customer and the Indian usually traded arriving there about sunup the next only with one man, there being few morning. After an examination, the white men in whom he could place his doctor said, “Jim, I can‟t do anything for trust. Having been acquainted with Ker- you.” Jim lay around under the arbor as che, I endeavored to persuade him to was the custom for a few days, then got 4

hold of his knife and a mirror, lay flat on Pah-moo-wah-tah (No Tobacco) his back and picked that bullet out of his Mon-ne-con-nah-heh (Ring) own neck, and is still living today. Po-che-na-qua-heip () Santa Anna, Sa-ba-heit (Small Wolf) Quarah-ha-po-e (Antelope Road OLD COMANCHE NAMES Ka-nah-u-mah-ka (Nearly Dead) The Treaties signed in the 1800s Ish-a-me-a-qui (Traveling Wolf) with various tribes listed the names of Mo-he-ka (Pole Cat) the men who signed, along with a A-ka-chu-a-ta (No Horn) translation of their name. Ka-he-na-bo-ne (Blind Man) I have extracted the names of the Ma-war-ra (Lost) Comanche signers, along with the Ke-wid-da-wip-pa (Tall Woman) translation given, and will list them here. Pa-na-che (Mistletoe) The spelling is the way it was shown on the original document. Treaty of 1853 Comanche signers: To-che-ra-nah-boo (Shaved Head) Treaty of 1835 Comanche signers: Wa-ya-ba-to-sa (White Eagle) Ishacoly (the Wolf) Hai-nick-seu (Crow) Queenashano (War Eagle) Ty-har-re-ty (One Who Runs After Women) Tabaqueena (Big Eagle) Para-sar-a man-no () Pohowetowshah (Brass Man) Wulea-boo (Shaved Head) Shabbakasha (Roving Wolf) Ka-ne-re-tah (One That Rides The Clouds) Neraquassi (Yellow Horse) Toshapappy (White Hare) Treaty of 1865 Comanche signers: Pahohsareya (Broken Arm) Tab-e-nan-i-kay (Rising Sun) Pahkah (Man Who Draws The Bow) Paddy-wah-say-mer Witsitony (He Who Sucks Quick) Ho-to-yo-koh-wat Leahwiddikah (One Who Stirs Up Water) Esh-tave-prah (Female Infant) Esharsotsiki (Sleeping Wolf) A-sha-hav-beet (Milky Way) Pahtrisula (The Dog) Co-che-te-ka Ettah (Gun) Queen-ah-e-vah (Eagle Drinking) Tennowikah (Boy Who Was Soon A Man) Ta-ha-yer-quoip (Horse‟s Back) Kumaquoi (Woman Who cuts Buffalo Meat) Pocka-naw-quoip (Buffalo Hump) Taqquanno (Armorous Man) Ho-to-yo-koh-wot (Over the Buttes) Kowa (Stinking Tobacco Box) Parry-wah-say-mer (Ten Bears) Soko (Old Man) Bo-yah-wah-to-yeh-be (Iron Mountain) Bo-wah-quas-suh (Iron Shirt) Treaty of 1846 Comanche signers: To-sa-wi (Silver Brooch) Pah-ha-u-ca (Amorous Man) Mo-pe-chu-co-pe () Treaty of 1867 Comanche signers: Cush-un-a-rah-ah (Ravisher) Parry-wah-say-men (Ten Bears) Ka-bah-ha-moo (Won‟t Smoke) Tep-pe-navon (Painted Lips) O-ka-art-su (Rope Cutter) To-she-wi (Silver Brooch) Moo-ra-que-top (Nasty Mule) Cear-chi-neka (Standing Feather) Ta-bup-pua-ta (Winner) Ho-we-ar (Gap In The Woods) Kai-tia-tah (Little) Tir-ha-yah-gua-hip (Horse‟s Back) Kai-he-na-mou-rah (Blind Man) Es-a-man-a-ca (Wolf‟s Name) Ho-chu-cah (Bird‟s House) Ah-te-es-ta (Little Horn)

5

Pooh-yah-to-yeh-be (Iron Mountain) English were spoken. By 2007, the Sad-dy-yo (Dog Fat) percentage had nearly doubled to 20 percent. While past generations sometimes Comanche Bands encouraged children (or in the case of The Treaty of 1865 also listed Band native children – were forced) to names for some of the Comanches. abandon mother tongues in order to They were: assimilate faster, today‟s parents see Tabenanikah, Yaparuka/Root Eater; the benefits of being fluent in more than Paddywahsaymer, Yaparuka; one language, and they look for ways to Hotoyokohwat, Yaparuka Band; encourage it. Eshetaveparah, Yaparuka Band; Not only does speaking more than Ashahabbeet, Penatuka/Sugar Eater; one language preserve cultural ties and Cocheteka, Kutsutuuka/ Buffalo Eater; perhaps open up future career Queenahecvah, Nokoni/Go-About Band; opportunities in an increasingly global Tahayerquoip, Nokoni Band; economy, but scientific research Pochanawquiop, Penatuka Band; suggests that bilingualism is good for Hotoyokohwot, Yaparuka Band; you, making the brain more flexible. Parrywahsaymer, Yaparuka Band; One study found that speaking more Bowahquassuh, Taninuu / Liver Eater Band; than one language may even slow the Tosawi, Penatuka Band. onset of Alzheimer‟s. Experts say it‟s difficult to re-learn a I challenge some of our students of language properly once you‟ve learned the to try to put it incorrectly from a non-native speaker. these names into the “modern” name One school of thought says people‟s that it is known today, hopefully using brains assign a certain language to each the official spelling system, and to see if person. So if your mother always the translation is correct. speaks to you in (Comanche), when you hear her voice your brain switches to (Comanche) mode and it takes a RAISING BILINGUAL KIDS concerted effort to speak to her in any other language. (*The following article appeared in the There are numerous benefits of Lawton Constitution on August 7, 2011, bilingualism – higher scores on IQ tests, written by Rasha Madkour from the better problem-solving skills, heightened Associated Press. In our efforts to language development, increased math encourage and promote use of the ability, more cultural sensitivity and Comanche language, I thought parts of bigger earnings potential.” this article were worth re-printing for you. Although it speaks of world (*Editor: Now, isn‟t that something we all languages, I have taken the liberty of want for our Comanche children and inserting Comanche language when grandchildren? Higher IQ scores, better appropriate.) problem-solving skills -- well, you can read the other benefits above. So why “According to the U.S. Census, in don‟t we make a concerted effort to 1980 just 11 percent of Americans lived involve our children in language classes in homes where languages other than and expose them not only to the language, but our culture, too?

6

According to the article, language and On Saturday, October 8th, the culture go hand in hand.) Language Committee will meet with the elder speakers at the Lawton Library to work on more material for children. COMANCHE LANGUAGE CLASSES Billie Kreger will be the facilitator Community classes began on August 27th with the first class offered in at the Comanche FACEBOOK Outreach office. Jonathan Poahway led Well, it appears everyone is on the class, introducing the Comanche Facebook these days. If you haven‟t Alphabet and Sound and Spelling heard of Facebook, then you probably System to those in attendance. don‟t own a computer. The next class was held September The Comanche Language & Cultural 17th in Cache, at the Cache Senior Preservation Committee has a Center, with 21 people signing in. We Facebook page where we put were honored to have five of our fluent announcements, answer questions, elder speakers join us, as they always promote language learning and offer help when we need it and give us distribute language material, plus add encouragement. old photos and other things of interest. We have made tentative plans for Other pages concerning Comanches classes in surrounding communities: have appeared in recent months on Anadarko Outreach Office on Facebook. One of particular interest is October 15th for a class from 11:00 a.m. the “Comanche Word of the Day” to 4:00 p.m., with a pot luck at noon. page. Administered by tribal member Cyril Senior Nutrition Center on Jonathan Poahway, it exploded with October 22nd. Again, the hours will be new members in its first days of being from 11 to 4, with a pot luck lunch at online. What I especially like is that the noon. younger generation is getting involved in Walters Community Center on learning, and therefore preserving, our Saturday, October 29th. It will begin at language. 11:00 a.m. and end around 4:00 p.m. At first it was just the written word, We will have a pot luck lunch at noon. then it evolved to Jonathan giving short The Little Washita Church near videos of the Word of the Day, along Fletcher will host the November 12th with pronunciation. That seems to have class. We will be there from 11:00 to helped a lot of new learners. He has 4:00, with a pot luck lunch at noon. many more ideas he wants to try Everyone attending is encouraged to Who knows where this could lead bring a covered dish to share at the with the new technology available? noon meal. Perhaps more Comanches wanting to We hope you will make plans to join learn the Comanche language? us on one or all of the above listed Wouldn‟t that be wonderful? classes. Repetition helps us to Please visit the Comanche Word of remember what we hear, and that will the Day page if you haven‟t already, and go far in language learning. be sure and drop in to the Comanche We will place announcements in the Language page on Facebook, too. area town‟s newspapers. For more Subeetu Ma information call 580-492-5126. www.comanchelanguage.org

7