The Kiowa, also sometimes spelled Kioway, are a Native American tribe with a rich history and a complex relationship with the United States government, shaped significantly by a series of treaties. These agreements, spanning the mid-19th century, reflect the shifting dynamics of power, westward expansion, and the struggle for land and resources that characterized this period of American history. This article explores the key Kiowa Treaties, providing context and insight into their significance.
The story of the Kiowa Treaties is inextricably linked to the broader narrative of the westward movement of American settlers and the resulting displacement and dispossession of Native American tribes. As settlers pushed further west, the traditional territories of tribes like the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache became increasingly contested. The treaties represented attempts, often fraught with misunderstanding and broken promises, to establish boundaries, maintain peace, and regulate interactions between the tribes and the expanding United States.
Early Encounters and the 1837 Treaty
The earliest formal agreement involving the Kiowa was the 1837 Treaty With The Kiowa, Etc. This treaty, signed at Fort Gibson (present-day Oklahoma), was a general peace treaty intended to foster peaceful relations between the Kiowa and other tribes, as well as the United States. The "Etc." in the title signifies that this treaty encompassed numerous other tribes inhabiting the Southern Plains, including the Comanche and various bands of the Apache. It aimed to establish clear boundaries and define the terms of interaction, including trade and the resolution of disputes. The treaty reflects an early stage in the formal relationship between the United States and the Kiowa, characterized by a desire for peaceful coexistence and regulated interaction. However, the vastness of the territory and the cultural differences between the parties made the implementation of such agreements challenging.
The 1853 Treaty: Defining Territories
The 1853 Treaty With The Comanche, Kiowa, And Apache, signed at Fort Atkinson (also in present-day Oklahoma), represented a more specific attempt to delineate tribal territories and establish clearer guidelines for interactions. This treaty aimed to formally recognize the land claims of the Comanche, Kiowa, and Apache, and to provide for the protection of their rights. The United States, in turn, sought to secure rights of way for roads and military posts through these territories, as well as to ensure the safety of American citizens traveling through the region.
A key provision of the 1853 treaty involved the payment of annuities to the tribes in exchange for their agreement to maintain peace and abide by the terms of the treaty. These annuities, often in the form of goods and supplies, were intended to support the tribes as they adapted to the changing circumstances brought about by the encroachment of settlers and the decline of their traditional hunting grounds. However, the delivery of these annuities was often unreliable, and the quality of the goods provided was frequently substandard, leading to resentment and distrust among the tribes.
Escalating Conflicts and the 1865 Treaty
The mid-19th century witnessed escalating conflicts between the Kiowa and other Plains tribes and the United States, driven by increasing competition for resources and the perceived encroachment of settlers onto tribal lands. The 1865 Treaty With The Comanche And Kiowa, signed at Little Arkansas River (Kansas), was an attempt to address these growing tensions and to re-establish peace. This treaty followed a period of intense warfare and reflected the recognition on both sides that a new agreement was necessary to prevent further bloodshed.
The 1865 treaty aimed to define new boundaries for the Kiowa and Comanche reservations, which were significantly smaller than their traditional territories. The treaty also included provisions for the establishment of schools and agricultural programs on the reservations, reflecting the government’s policy of assimilation, which aimed to transform Native Americans into farmers and integrate them into American society. The Kiowa and Comanche were expected to abandon their nomadic way of life and adopt a more settled, agricultural existence.
However, the terms of the 1865 treaty were deeply unpopular among many members of the Kiowa and Comanche tribes, who viewed them as an unjust imposition on their sovereignty and a threat to their traditional way of life. The reduction in their territory, the pressure to adopt agriculture, and the perceived inadequacy of the promised annuities all contributed to growing discontent.
The 1867 Treaty of Medicine Lodge Creek: A Turning Point
The 1867 Treaty With The Kiowa And Comanche, more formally known as the 1867 Treaty of Medicine Lodge Creek (also involving the Apache), is arguably the most significant of the Kiowa Treaties. Signed in present-day Kansas, this treaty aimed to bring a lasting peace to the Southern Plains and to resolve the ongoing conflicts between the tribes and the United States.
The Medicine Lodge Treaty established a large reservation for the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache in southwestern Oklahoma. The treaty also included provisions for the construction of schools and other facilities on the reservation, as well as for the provision of agricultural implements and livestock. The government promised to provide teachers, blacksmiths, carpenters, farmers, and other specialists to assist the tribes in adapting to their new way of life.
However, the Medicine Lodge Treaty was plagued by many of the same problems that had undermined earlier treaties. The promised annuities were often late or inadequate, and the quality of the goods provided was often poor. Furthermore, the government failed to prevent settlers from encroaching on the reservation, and the tribes continued to face harassment and violence from settlers and soldiers.
One of the most controversial aspects of the Medicine Lodge Treaty was the provision that required the tribes to abandon their traditional hunting grounds and to remain on the reservation. This provision was particularly difficult for the Kiowa, who were highly dependent on buffalo hunting for their survival. The treaty also required the tribes to send their children to boarding schools, where they were forced to abandon their native languages and cultures and to adopt American customs.
Consequences and Legacy
The Kiowa Treaties, like many other treaties between the United States and Native American tribes, ultimately failed to achieve their stated goals of establishing lasting peace and protecting tribal rights. The treaties were often violated by the United States government, and the tribes were subjected to broken promises, land grabs, and cultural assimilation policies.
The consequences of the treaties were devastating for the Kiowa. They lost their traditional hunting grounds, their freedom of movement, and their cultural autonomy. They were forced to live on reservations, where they faced poverty, disease, and discrimination. The treaties also contributed to the decline of the buffalo population, which further undermined the Kiowa’s traditional way of life.
Despite their failures, the Kiowa Treaties remain an important part of the history of the Kiowa people and the history of the United States. They serve as a reminder of the injustices that were inflicted on Native American tribes during the period of westward expansion, and they highlight the ongoing struggle for tribal sovereignty and self-determination. The Kiowa Treaties shaped their history and the history of the United States. The legacy of the Kiowa Treaties continues to resonate today in the ongoing efforts to address the historical injustices faced by Native American tribes and to promote reconciliation and healing. The Kiowa Treaties also serve as case studies in the study of federal Indian law and policy. The Kiowa Treaties are a subject of ongoing historical research and analysis, as scholars continue to examine their impact on the Kiowa people and the broader context of Native American history.