Tonkawa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
|
| Total population |
|---|
| 571[1] |
| Regions with significant populations |
| United States (Oklahoma) |
| Languages |
| Religion |
|
Christianity, Native American Church, traditional tribal religions |
| Related ethnic groups |
|
Wichita, Waco, Tawakonis, Kichai, Guichitas |
The Tonkawa are a people native to Oklahoma and Texas, who once spoke the Tonkawa language. They currently live in Oklahoma and are a federally recognized tribe.
Contents |
[edit] Culture
The Tonkawa is thought to be a Waco word, meaning, "They all stay together."[2] The tribe describes itself as, "People of the wolf." The Tonkawa's oral history says that they were all descended from a mythical wolf.[3] The Tonkawa is a language isolate, unrelated to any other known language and has no living speakers.[2]
The tribe's own website describes them as being, "one of the most warlike tribes," fighting other tribes on the southern plains, the Spanish, and American settlers.[3] The website goes on to describe Tonkawa men as "famous warriors" and the women as being "strong physically and vindictive in disposition."[3] Clearly, the tribe still takes great pride in its military prowess and valor.
Tonkawa people were historically nomadic and lived in tipi villages. They cultivated some crops but relied mainly on hunting game, initially with spears and bows and arrows. The Spanish introduced the tribe to firearms. The tribe gained horses in the 18th century.[3]
Their society was matrilineal. The tribal clans were organized into two separate moieties. Over time, the tribe moved towards having a central chief.[2]
[edit] History
Tonkawa were thought to have originated in central Texas; however, recent research suggests the tribe were present in northeastern Oklahoma in 1601.[2] By 1700, the Apache had pushed the Tonkawa south to the Red River. They kept moving into Texas, where they allied with the Lipan Apache.[2]
In 1837, American settlers had overrun their traditional lands and push the tribe into southwest Texas and northern Mexico. Tonkawa fought as allies of the Texas Rangers in the 1858 Battle of Little Robe Creek. They fought with the 4th US Cavalry in 1871 Battle of Blanco Canyon and the 1872 Battle of the North Fork of the Red River against the Comanche.[3]
The Tonkawa were removed from their lands on the Brazos River Reservation in Texas in October 1884. They were sent by train to Indian Territory, with their journey beginning in Cisco, Texas. A Tonkawa baby was born en route and named "Railroad Cisco"[3]
They were forced onto the Leased District, in the jurisdiction of the Wichita Agency.[2] In 1862, pro-Union tribes united to fight the Tonkawas, killing 133 out of the remaining 309 Tonkawas, in what is known as the Tonkawa Massacre.[4]
In 1879 the federal government settled the Nez Perce what would be Tonkawa Reservation. They were returned to their northern homelands in 1885.[5]
[edit] Today
The Tonkawa Tribe is headquartered in Tonkawa, Oklahoma and their tribal jurisdictional area is in Kay County. They have 571 enrolled tribal members. Anthony E. Street is currently serving a three-year term as the tribe's elected President. The tribe operates one gasoline station and two casinos,[1] Tonkawa Indian Casino in Tonkawa and Native Lights Casino in Newkirk.[6]
The annual Tonkawa Powwow is scheduled annually on the last weekend in June, to commemorate when the tribe ended its "Trail of Tears."[3]
The Order of the Arrow lodge that serves the Capitol Area Council takes its name from the Tonkawa who populated the Central Texas region.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Oklahoma Indian Affairs. Oklahoma Indian Nations Pocket Pictorial Directory. 2008:35
- ^ a b c d e f May, Jon D. Tonkawa. Oklahoma Historical Society's Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & Culture. (retrieved 8 Feb 2009)
- ^ a b c d e f g Tonkawa Tribal History. The Tonkawa Tribe. (retrieved 7 Feb 2009)
- ^ Tonkawas Indians of Central Texas
- ^ Wilson, Linda D. Tonkawa. Oklahoma History Society's Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & Culture. (retrieved 8 Feb 2009)
- ^ Oklahoma Indian Casinos: Kay County. 500 Nations. (retrieved 8 Feb 2009)
[edit] External links
- Official Website of the Tonkawa Tribe
- May, Jon D. Article about the Tonkawa. Oklahoma Historical Society's Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & Culture.
[edit] Bibliography
- Hoijer, Harry. (1933). Tonkawa: An Indian language of Texas. New York: Columbia University. (Extract from Handbook of American Indian languages, Vol. 3).
- Himmel, Kelly F. (1999). The Conquest of the Karankawas and the Tonkawas, 1821-1859. Texas A&M University Press, College Station, Texas.
