The year 1867 marked a significant, albeit complex and ultimately tragic, turning point in the relationship between the United States government and several Plains Indian tribes. The 1867 Treaty of Medicine Lodge Creek stands as a testament to the shifting dynamics, promises made, and the cultural clashes that defined this era. This article delves into the specifics of this treaty, examining its context, provisions, and the long-lasting impact it had on the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache peoples.
Setting the Stage: The Landscape of Conflict
The backdrop to the 1867 Treaty of Medicine Lodge Creek was one of increasing tension and escalating violence. The westward expansion of the United States, driven by the allure of land, gold, and opportunity, brought settlers into direct conflict with the established inhabitants of the Great Plains. The Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache, nomadic tribes deeply connected to the land and reliant on the buffalo for sustenance, found their traditional hunting grounds shrinking and their way of life threatened.
The Civil War had further complicated matters. With the federal government preoccupied with internal conflict, military presence on the Plains was diminished, leading to an increase in raids and retaliatory actions by both sides. Following the war, the government sought to reassert control and implement a policy of concentrating Native American tribes onto reservations, ostensibly to ensure peace and facilitate assimilation.
The Council at Medicine Lodge Creek
In October 1867, a council was convened on Medicine Lodge Creek, located approximately seventy miles south of Fort Larned in Kansas. This location, chosen for its central location and accessibility to the participating tribes, became the site for negotiations aimed at establishing a formal peace agreement. Representing the United States were a delegation of commissioners, including prominent figures such as Nathaniel G. Taylor, President of the Indian Commission; General William S. Harney, a veteran of the Indian Wars; and General C.C. Augur, commander of the Department of the Platte. These men, armed with the authority of the United States government, were tasked with securing the agreement of the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache tribes to relocate to designated reservations.
On the other side of the negotiating table were the chiefs and headmen of the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache nations. These leaders, representing the interests of their people, faced the difficult decision of whether to accept the terms offered by the United States or continue the struggle for their ancestral lands. Among the notable figures present were Satanta (White Bear) of the Kiowa, Ten Bears of the Comanche, and representatives of the Apache who, during the council, expressed a desire to be included in the treaty alongside the Kiowa and Comanche.
Key Provisions of the Treaty
The 1867 Treaty of Medicine Lodge Creek consisted of several key articles that outlined the terms of the agreement:
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Establishment of Reservations: The treaty established a large reservation in southwestern Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) for the Kiowa and Comanche tribes. This area was intended to be their permanent home, and they were expected to cease their nomadic lifestyle and settle within its boundaries.
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Confederation of the Apache: A significant aspect of the treaty was the inclusion of the Apache tribe. The Apache chiefs and headmen expressed a desire to confederate with the Kiowa and Comanche, and this was formally agreed upon. This meant that the Apache would share the same reservation and receive the same benefits as the other two tribes.
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Government Assistance and Annuities: The United States government pledged to provide the tribes with various forms of assistance, including agricultural tools, livestock, and instructors to teach farming techniques. They also promised to provide clothing, food, and other essential supplies, known as annuities. These provisions were intended to help the tribes transition to a more settled way of life and become self-sufficient. Specifically, the treaty provided for the employment of physicians, teachers, carpenters, millers, engineers, farmers, and blacksmiths. It also included provisions for the construction of agency buildings, warehouses, mills, and schools.
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Education: The treaty recognized the importance of education and included provisions for the establishment of schools on the reservation. This was seen as a way to assimilate the Native American children into American society and prepare them for a future in a rapidly changing world.
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Peace and Compliance: In exchange for these benefits, the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache tribes agreed to maintain peace with the United States and its citizens. They pledged to cease raiding settlements, attacking wagon trains, and disrupting the westward expansion. The Apache, in particular, relinquished any rights or privileges they may have had under previous treaties with the Cheyenne and Arapaho.
The Illusion of Peace and the Seeds of Discontent
While the 1867 Treaty of Medicine Lodge Creek appeared to offer a path to peace and stability, it was ultimately flawed and destined to fail. Several factors contributed to its downfall:
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Cultural Misunderstandings: The treaty was based on a fundamental misunderstanding of Native American culture and values. The nomadic lifestyle of the Plains tribes was deeply ingrained, and the idea of settling permanently on a reservation was inherently incompatible with their traditions.
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Broken Promises: The United States government frequently failed to uphold its end of the bargain. Annuities were often delayed, insufficient, or of poor quality. Promised resources for education and agriculture were not always delivered, leaving the tribes disillusioned and resentful.
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Buffalo Depletion: The rapid decline of the buffalo population, driven by commercial hunting, dealt a devastating blow to the Plains tribes. The buffalo was their primary source of food, clothing, and shelter, and its disappearance left them increasingly dependent on the government for survival.
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Continued Encroachment: Despite the establishment of reservations, settlers continued to encroach on Native American lands, leading to further conflict and resentment. The discovery of gold and other valuable resources on or near reservation lands fueled the desire for expansion and disregard for treaty obligations.
The Legacy of Medicine Lodge Creek
The 1867 Treaty of Medicine Lodge Creek represents a pivotal moment in the history of the American West. It highlights the complexities of the relationship between the United States government and Native American tribes, the challenges of negotiating across cultural divides, and the tragic consequences of broken promises and failed policies.
The treaty ultimately failed to achieve its intended goal of lasting peace. The Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache tribes, facing starvation, cultural disruption, and continued encroachment on their lands, eventually resumed raiding and resistance. This led to further conflict and ultimately to the Red River War of 1874-1875, which resulted in the final subjugation of the Southern Plains tribes and their forced relocation to smaller, more controlled reservations.
The legacy of the 1867 Treaty of Medicine Lodge Creek serves as a reminder of the importance of honoring treaty obligations, respecting cultural differences, and striving for a more just and equitable relationship with Native American communities. The treaty stands as a historical marker, not of peace achieved, but of the challenges and failures in the pursuit of it.
