19 Facts About Ahpeahtone

Ahpeahtone was born in about 1856 near Medicine Lodge, Kansas, a favorite campsite of the Kiowa and site of the Medicine Lodge Treaty in 1867, where he was present as an 11 year old boy.

Ahpeahtone was raised as his ancestors were, living free on the Great Plains of North America in tipi camps, hunting buffalo and other game and learning horsemanship and warrior skills.

Chief Ahpeahtone's parents were Red Buffalo a full-blood Kiowa and Sioux Necklace Woman, who was half Kiowa and half Oglala Lakota.

Ahpeahtone served as advisor and interpreter to her brother, Chief Ahpeahtone, during the turmoil and rapid lifestyle changes of the reservation years and the early statehood period of Oklahoma.

Laura never remarried, but continued to serve her people and her brother Ahpeahtone, who died in 1931, and until her death in November of 1942.

Ahpeahtone was chosen by the Kiowa to visit Pine Ridge Agency in South Dakota.

Ahpeahtone was given a cordial welcome by his Lakota relatives, including Chief Red Cloud, who knew of the story of "Kale Pi Thay" and "Walks as She Thinks" and warmly welcomed him as a blood relative.

Ahpeahtone traveled to Fort Washakie, thinking he would find religion guidance among the northern Arapahoes.

Ahpeahtone rose and spoke of his anxiety to know the truth.

Ahpeahtone related the story of his trip and feeling that the prophecy was a fraud.

Ahpeahtone belonged to the Native American Church and used peyote as a sacrament.

Ahpeahtone belonged to the Gourd Dance Society and composed some of the songs.

Ahpeahtone composed other dance songs and participated in all the tribal dances.

Ahpeahtone was a member of the Horse Headdress Society, which declined in the 1880s.

Ahpeahtone joined the Rainy Mountain Church in 1925, and became an active member.

In later years, Chief Ahpeahtone established the Kiowa Indian Hospital in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Ahpeahtone believed he earned enough to care for himself and his family and would not accept pay for his work on behalf of the tribe.

Chief Ahpeahtone was a firm believer in education for Kiowas, and he would travel anywhere he could to learn the new modern way of life.

Ahpeahtone died on 8 August 1931, and is buried at Rainy Mountain Cemetery south of Mountain View, OK.