Comanche Nation Visits Cheyenne, Arapaho Tribes

On Thursday, July 18, Comanche Nation Tribal Historic Preservation Office held an appreciation luncheon at the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes in Concho, Oklahoma.

The event honored the tribes for the buffalo donation during the Comanche Nation Fair.

Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Martina Minthorn said they’re thankful for the gifts of the buffalo.

“It's been a while and the planning, but it was good to be able to come together, fellowship, break bread, offer some words of our legacies that we have between us tribes,” she said.

Minthorn said sharing history after the Battle of Wolf Creek was important.

“And so just looking at the Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty is also the treaty that puts them in western Oklahoma the same as us in southwest Oklahoma,” she said. “So, just knowing our connection, our history, our intermarriages, and to be able to go in there and to be able to see what success that they have with their buffalo program and being able to share with us tribes and see where we should be at.”

The Comanche Nation is currently in its infancy of being able to care for buffalo, according to Minthorn.

“We did our harvest about two years ago; we had over 350 people come and want to be a part of that,” she said. “And so, that's just amazing to see the excitement of our people that we want to change people's diets for a healthier option. And so, this is something hopefully we can be able to do that soon.”

The Cheyenne and Arapahoe tribes received buffalo skulls, cedar and Pendletons at the luncheon.

Comanche Nation Princess Bluesky Tosee and Jr. Princess Arlene Schonchin helped pass out gifts.

“We were thankful to be able to offer gifts, not only just food but also to their buffalo staff that have also been delivering buffalo to us,” Minthorn said.

Comanche Nation Chairman Forrest Tahdooahnippah and Comanche Business Committee members also attended.