The Wichita Indians dwelled between the Arkansas, Kansas, and the Brazos River now located in Kansas and Oklahoma. They were discovered by Spanish explorer Coronado, four hundred and fifty seven years ago. At that time they called themselves Kitikitish. It is estimated that the civilization encountered by Coronado was comprised of many villages along the Arkansas River drainage and contained a minimum of 30,000 Kitikiti'sh. The string of villages stretched over 25 miles. Journals kept by the Coronado expedition describe the Nation as prosperous, engaged successfully in agriculture, hunting, gathering and in regional trade. Trade was conducted with the Pueblos located as far away as New Mexico to the Gulf Coast. The Kitikiti'sh exercised dominion over a vast hunting ground and controlled strategic flint and salt deposits. The Kitikiti'sh were also described as a Confederation of up to Seven Tribes related by life-style, religion, and language. This period stands as the most successful time in Kitikiti'sh history.
The Wichita were an agricultural tribe, but also engaged in buffalo hunting. They cultivated corn, pumpkins, and tobacco, which they bartered with their neighbors. Their permanent dwellings were cone-shaped ranging from forty to fifty feet in diameter and were thatched with grass. When travelling they lived in skin tipis. Before coming under the influence of Europeans their dress was very scanty; they tattooed their faces, arms, and chests, and so were called the "tattooed people" by some of the other tribes.
The Wichita settlements in present-day Oklahoma and Texas were not as extensive as those in Kansas but were numerous throughout much of Oklahoma and (Hammond 2) spanned into north central and northeast Texas. The Wichita presence in this three-state region is centuries old. Our importance and power within this region withstood both Spanish and French exploration and did not begin to diminish until the U.S. began its westward expansion in the late 18th century.
The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes have an enrolled membership of over 1,900 people. Enrolled membership is restricted to possessing at least one-eighth degree blood quantum of Wichita descent. Over half of this membership resides within the state. The Wichita Governmental Headquarters are centered within the largest concentration of Wichitas living in Oklahoma. However, through modern methods of communication, all Wichita's have access to their government, no matter where they live.
Politically, the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes are governed by the people through a body known as the Wichita Tribal Council, composed of all enrolled members who are eighteen years of age or older. This Council empowers an elected body of seven committee members known as the Wichita Executive Committee to govern the Tribe's sovereign responsibilities. Each member of the Executive Committee serves a term of four years and can be re-elected without intervention. The Wichita Executive Committee is composed of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three Committee members. The Wichita Executive Committee also appoints Commissioners to the Wichita Housing Authority. All Wichita Tribal members retain their rights as citizens of the state of Oklahoma and of the United States of America. Future civil protection for Wichita people are afforded under the Indian Civil Rights Act (1968).
References
Tribal Culture. Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (6 April 2000).
Wichita Indians. New Advent: Catholic Encyclopedia (online:1999, edition:1912) http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15616b.html (1 May 2001).
Jason L. Hammond