Brummett Echohawk: Chaticks-si-chaticks by Kristin M. Youngbull A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy Approved August 2012 by the Graduate Supervisory Committee: Donald Fixico, Co-Chair Peter Iverson, Co-Chair James Riding In ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY December 2012 © 2012 Kristin M. Youngbull All Rights Reserved ABSTRACT There exists a significant overlap between American Indian history and American history, yet historians often treat the two separately. The intersection has grown over time, increasingly so in the 20th and 21st centuries. Over time a process of syncretism has taken place wherein American Indians have been able to take their tribal histories and heritage and merge them with the elements of the dominant culture as they see fit. Many American Indians have found that they are able to use their cultural heritage to educate others using mainstream methods. Brummett Echohawk, a Pawnee Indian from Pawnee, Oklahoma demonstrated the ways in which American Indian history merged with the larger American historical narrative through his knowledge of Pawnee history and heritage, American history, and his active participation in mainstream society throughout the 20th and into the 21st century. As a student in a government run Indian boarding school, a soldier of the famed 45th “Thunderbird” Infantry Division in World War II, and a successful artist, writer and public speaker, he offered a view of how one could employ syncretism to the advantage of all. Using an ethnohistorical approach to the subject allows a consideration of Brummett Echohawk as an individual, a representative of the Pawnee people, American Indians generally, and as an American. The ethnohistorical approach also helps elucidate the connection he made between success in life and truly fulfilling the Pawnee meaning behind their name Chaticks-si-chaticks, Men of men. Personal papers, published writings, as well as published and privately owned art (ranging from fine art in prestigious galleries to comic strips) provide i insight as to how Echohawk made clear the connections between the Pawnee (and American Indian) past and American history. Interviews with family members, friends, and Pawnee veterans also demonstrate the significance of his life for the Pawnee people and the United States, particularly in terms of the martial tradition. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................ iv INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................1 CHAPTER 1 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PAWNEE PEOPLE AND THEIR MARTIAL TRADITION .........................................................................9 2 A FAMILY TRADITION ................................................................67 3 TAKING ON THE MANTLE .......................................................105 4 AN AMERICAN SOLDIER, A PAWNEE WARRIOR ...............161 5 “LIFE IS SHORT, BUT ART IS LONG” ......................................224 6 MORE THAN AN ARTIST ..........................................................291 EPILOGUE ......................................................................................................332 SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY .......................................................................338 APPENDIX A IRB EXEMPTION ..........................................................................359 iii LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1. Pawnee land base in the early 1800s. .....................................................11 2. 19th century Pawnee land cessions. ........................................................49 3. William Pollock ......................................................................................57 4. Howard Echo Hawk ................................................................................78 5. Elmer and Alice Echohawk .....................................................................86 6. Echo Hawk’s headstone ..........................................................................89 7. Echo Hawk Place, or “Out West.” ........................................................102 8. Map of Sicilian invasion .......................................................................134 9. Sketch, geared up for amphibious assault .............................................136 10. Sketch of the ammunition he carried ..................................................137 11. Sketch of equipment worn ..................................................................138 12. Sketch of a German soldier .................................................................141 13. Map, Gulf of Salerno ...........................................................................152 14. Map, tanks near Salerno Beachhead ...................................................167 15. Map, near Faicchio, Italy .....................................................................176 16. Sketch, concussion near Faicchio, Italy ..............................................178 17. Map, Salerno Campaign ......................................................................183 18. “Listen—Here comes Jerry.” ..............................................................195 19. Charge against the factory ..................................................................201 20. “Kamerad! At Carreceto” ...................................................................202 iv Figure Page 21. Sketch of a British soldier at Anzio. ...................................................209 22. “Death Shares a Ditch at Bloody Anzio.” ...........................................211 23. Echohawk Collage ..............................................................................222 24. “Double Trouble at Anzio.” ................................................................227 25. Landscape with Bowie knife ...............................................................242 26. Little Chief . .........................................................................................250 27. Cartoon ................................................................................................253 28. “We are the White Wolves.” ...............................................................262 29. Echohawk with finished canvas. .........................................................265 30. Flag of the Pawnee Nation ..................................................................268 31. Portrait of Staff Sergeant Philip Gover ...............................................276 32. Echohawk and Eaton. ..........................................................................281 33. USS Anzio Montage. ..........................................................................284 34. Illustration: “Cowboy Movies—and Real Indians .............................296 35. Working at the typewriter. ..................................................................303 36. Group with Childers portrait ..............................................................320 37 Wounded German soldier ....................................................................324 38 Brummett Echohawk: self portrait ......................................................331 v INTRODUCTION This dissertation is an ethnohistorical biography of Brummett T. Echohawk, warrior, artist, and public figure. Born in small-town Pawnee, Oklahoma, in 1922, he rose to prominence, acquiring an international reputation as an artist, writer, public speaker, and actor. He remained active in all of these professions until shortly before his death in 2006. His story hails back to intertribal conflict on the American plains and the eventual organization of the Pawnee Scouts by the U.S. Army from 1864 to 1877. The historical link to the Pawnee Scouts demonstrates a type of continuity for many Pawnee families, including the Echo Hawk family, as successive generations participated in military service. Brummett Echohawk served with distinction in the European Theater of World War II. The Army recognized his impressive service with the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Army Commendation Medal, four battle stars, two Invasion Arrowheads, and Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster. His story draws attention to the social realities of generations of American Indians and informs the present because he used his influence to educate and inspire those in his home community and the world. The biography examines a life which reflected the history and values of the Pawnee (and other American Indian people), and the world in which they lived. This biography demonstrates the ways in which Echohawk took advantage of opportunities to use his Pawnee identity as a spring board rather than allowing discrimination to hold him back. He used his art, writing, public speaking, and acting as means to record history and to educate. 1 This study does not constitute a complete history of the Pawnee people. Neither does it provide a comprehensive history of the 45th Infantry Division, or even the Echo Hawk family. Rather, this biography reveals the ways in which culture and history influenced him, allowing him, in turn, to influence others. This work is designed to bring to light the contributions of an extraordinary individual who magnified what he believed to be important cultural values in all his undertakings. His Pawnee heritage, always a critical part of his identity, inspired his actions as a young soldier and as a veteran pursuing his dream career. His American