Quanah Parker
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Volume 6, Issue 1 Dr. Jeanne Mather, Editor October 2003 What Comes to Mind When you Hear Quanah Parker Asian American? Chances are, you think of Many Oklahomans have know of his father’s death from Colonel Mackenzie appointed someone of Chinese, Japanese, heard of Quanah Parker and an infected wound, shortly after Parker chief over the Coman- Vietnamese, Filipino, or associate him with our state. the raid. With his mother, fa- che, a controversial move for maybe Korean descent. But But did you know that Texas ther, and sister gone, Quanah many of the older Comanche. did you realize that there are claims him as a Texas Leg- left his band and joined the most Over the next twenty years other Asian Americans? The end? Just how much do you remote and warlike Comanche Quanah Parker learned the growth rate of Asian “Indian” know about this Indian Chief? band, the Kwahadis. The Kwa- White man’s ways, and was Americans, from 1990-2000, Quanah’s mother was Cyn- hadis lived in the Texas Panhan- even welcomed by his Parker was over 105%, the largest thia Ann Parker, a Texan. dle, and rode about holding buf- relatives. growth within the Asian She was abducted by a Co- falo-hide parasols as protection Acting as spokesman of the American community. While manche war party at the age from the sun, thus leading to Comanche Nation he met and Chinese Americans make up of nine. After being adopted them being called “Sun Shades claimed as friends, such influ- the largest percentage of Asian into the tribe, and learning the ential people as cattleman Americans, followed by Fili- language, she became assimi- Charles Goodnight and Presi- pino Americans, Indian Ameri- lated into the culture and dent Theodore Roosevelt. He cans make up the third largest thought of herself as Coman- negotiated grazing rights with group, well ahead of Korean che. As a teenager she be- Texas cattlemen enabling the Americans, Vietnamese came the wife of warrior Peta tribe to have income, and later Americans, or Japanese Ameri- Nocona. Around 1845 Cyn- became a reservation judge. cans. In Oklahoma, the Asian thia gave birth to Quanah near Through wise investments in Indian population is also grow- the Wichita Mountains. When the railroad and his profitable ing, registering an 87% in- Quanah was just a boy ,while on Their Backs.” The Kwahadis ranching, he became the crease between censuses. he, his father, and the other did not attend the Medicine wealthiest Indian in America Briefly let us look at the men were out hunting, the Lodge Treaty Council, refused at that time. His large home interesting history of Indian Texas Rangers attacked the to move to a reservation, and was referred to as the immigration. Great Britain’s camp. Many were killed, the continued to follow and hunt the “Comanche White House.” rule over India, 1858-1947, camp was burned, and his buffalo. In time, as the buffalo How ironic that he would lead many Indians to leave the mother and little sister had were disappearing, the white one day fight to save the reser- country. Sikh farmers and been captured. Cynthia was hunters would illegally go into vation that he had once re- other Asian Indians began returned to her Texas family, the Panhandle to hunt. In 1874, fused to live on. But it was to coming to the United States whom she had not seen in in retribution, an alliance of ap- no avail as the government essentially in the early 1900s. twenty –five years. When she proximately 700 warriors of eventually broke up the reser- Many believed they could earn tried to escape they held guard various tribes unsuccessfully vation. At his funeral in 1911, money by working on farms, over her. After the baby died attacked a white trading post. In he was dressed in full ceremo- in lumber mills, or helping she starved herself to death. 1875 Parker together with what nial regalia and buried with a with the building of the rail- Quanah did not hear of her was left of his band surrendered large sum of money. The pro- way system. In 1917 laws pro- death for years. But he did at Fort Sill. Shortly there after cession stretched for 2 miles! hibited Asian Indians from en- tering the United States. In Table of Contents 1946 the law was passed al- lowing 100 Asian Indians to What Comes to Mind When You Hear Asian American? ; Quanah Parker 1 immigrate each year, and even What is Rangoli? 2 allowed them the right to be- come U.S. citizens if they so Tips for Effectively Teaching The Hearing Impaired; The Literature Connection 3 (Continued on page 3) Pancho Villa—Hero, Villain, or German Spy? 4 USAO’s Classroom Spice What is Rangoli ? It is an intricate colorful design made from sandstone powder or grain-flour. Native to India, it is usually created by women or girls using bare fingers or a brush. Located in the garden near the entrance to a house it serves to welcome guests and is especially important during Diwali. While the designs are often geometrically based, they may feature plants, animals, deities, chariots, or even temples. Typically the Rangoli is made in a circular fashion, starting with a seed pattern upon which it then builds. See the sample Rangoli design above. Create your own symmetrical design. 1. Use sand mixed with paint or food coloring; chalk, or colored rice powder. Draw your design, then layer colored sand or rice powder on top of it. 2. Compare this art form to the sand paintings of the Navajo. Compare Rangoli designs with those in Islamic Art. Can you find similiarities in any other cultures? 3. Check out http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/rangoli/making.htm to see how to use a seed pattern and then build around it. Similarly, check out www.camat.com/kalranga/rangoli/crangoli.htm to see colorful rangoli designs. 4. Identify all symmetry, point or line. Which if any lines are congruent? Parallel? Are there any instances of reflections? Rotations? 5. What is sandstone? Where is it found? What is it used for? 6. Find India on a map. What borders it? Looking at its location why do you think India is of particular importance in terms of global politics? 2 USAO’s Classroom Spice (Asian Indian Americans—cont’d from page 1) desired. In 1965 a new law opened the The Literature Connection quota to allow thousands of Asian Indi- ans to enter the U.S. In the year 2000, This month’s emphasis will be on re- mapping, critical thinking, written language, more that 39,000 Asian Indians came to source books. As we move into Native arts and crafts, and games. the United States. In the early years American Month, there are several re- Designed for older children, Native most Asian Indian immigrants settled source books which might be of interest to Americans: A Thematic Unit on Converging in the states of Washington, California, teachers. The first, Native Americans: Lit- Cultures, written by Wendy Wilson and Illinois, Pennsylvania and New York. erature-Based Activities for Thematic Lloyd Thompson, is published by J. Weston Today the majority of Indian Ameri- Teaching, Grades 4-6, provides a bibliog- Walch (1997), ISBN 0-8251-3332-7. This cans live in California, New York, New raphy of nonfiction and fiction books cen- reproducible book is designed to examine Jersey, Texas, and Illinois. Most Asian tering about the Native American theme. the culture of Native American groups at the Indians who come to the United States Besides, offering suggestions for the nov- point of their contact with the European cul- today, are not farmers, but rather Eng- ice in how to go about teaching themati- ture, but not to place blame. It can easily be lish speaking professionals or students. cally, it provides extensive cross curricu- used to teach Native American culture and In October/November, Indian lum ideas ranging from styles history, as well as geography and Americans traditionally celebrate Di- of government , communica- history of the U.S. Each of the wali, India’s New Year. It is a five-day tion, arts and crafts, trade and ten thought provoking units has a celebration , often referred to as the math, illnesses, treaties, to food teacher’s guide, background infor- Festival of Lights. It is a Hindu festi- and life styles. With hands-on mation , a reproducible student val celebrating victory over evil. Light activities and blackline masters, information sheet, plus a series of is the keystone of the celebration with this is a great resource for 4th-6th grade reproducible activity sheets. It includes both people everywhere in India (regardless teachers. This book is written by Andrea well-known Native tribes and lesser known of their religion), lighting tiny lamps, Beard and published by Creative Teaching tribes, and not only British, French, and such as diva lamps, lights, or candles. Press (1992). Spanish contact but Russian as well. It Diwali generates feelings of universal The second book, A Unit About Wood- could be used in junior or senior high brotherhood and inter-religious har- land Indians (1995), authored by Elaine grades. Excellent resource. mony not only in India but among Indi- Cleary and published by Evan Moor, is There is another resource which you ans around the world. Each day has a designed for Grades 3rd-6th (ISBN 1- might find somewhere in your school. In different emphasis: good deeds re- 55799-389-0). It includes wonderful dou- 1978 the Oklahoma State Department of warded by wealth, strength, knowledge, ble sided, full-sized colored posters of fa- Education published Mini Myths and Leg- riddance of anger and jealousy, and mous Native Americans and woodland cul- ends of Oklahoma Indians.