The Kiowa Homeland in Oklahoma

Abstract

Kiowa Indians derive their common identity from deep roots in southwestern Oklahoma, an area they call their “homeland.” On this landscape are recognized and distinctive marks, both visible and invisible: The Kiowa have blanketed it with their significant stories. The region is important as a psychological anchor in the Kiowa past and as a core for their modern identity as a distinct people. In this article I explore Kiowa stories, ideas, and feelings about specific landmarks of the homeland. I also step back to discuss how the homeland generates attachments that are not attributable to individual elements within it.

• American Indians
• homeland
• Kiowa
• Native Americans
• Oklahoma
• sense of place

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Steven M. Schnell

Dr. Schnell is an assistant professor of geography at Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, Missouri 64468.