Osage County, Oklahoma, Biography:  American Indians hold strong place in 

community



Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:

Skiatook Journal from

Skiatook Fall Newcomers Guide and Chamber of Commerce

Membership Directory 2001

Published by the Skiatook Journal

August 15, 2001

Copyright 2001 Rutherford Publications, Inc.

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Oklahoma, literally translated as "Land of the Red Man," was home to Native 

American tribes long before the white man came.



So it was, also, in Skiatook, which is considered the Gateway to the Osage.



The last hereditary chief of the Quapaw Tribe, Ki-He-Kah-Steh, is believed 

to have been born somewhere around 1820.  He lived west of Skiatook on 

Quapaw Creek.



Called Tallchief by his people, Ki-He-Kah-Steh was also known as Louis Angel 

among the white men.  As Chief of the Quapaw, he had six Chieftains under 

him with the tribe numbering around 1,000 members.



In the book, History of Oklahoma, he was called "Chief Wasista," which was 

in fact his wife's name.



At their home on Quapaw Creek, Ki-He-Kah-Steh and his wife had a daughter 

they named Maude.  As Chief of the Quapaw, Ki-He-Kah-Steh bestowed upon her 

the honor of being the only person in the Quapaw Tribe authorized to give 

an infant its Indian name.  With her passing, this office is no longer in 

existence.



With "Moonhead" Wilson, a Caddo-Delaware Indian who brought the Peyote 

Religion to this area, Ki-He-Kah-Steh introduced the religion first to the 

Osage Tribe and then took it to the Quapaws.  Today, it is called the 

"Native American Church."



Before his death in 1918, Ki-He-Kah-Steh was a familiar figure with his one 

eagle feather in his turkey beard rochet and the full eagle wing fan which 

he always carried.



Proudly, he wore beaded moccasins, arm and leg bands which were gifts 

from other tribes.  His tribe, the Quapaws, did not do bead work.



Around his neck, he wore medals presented to the tribe by George Washington 

at the signing of a treaty.  These medals are now in the possession of his 

descendants.



Known for his tremendous memory, Ki-He-Kah-Steh knew every member of his 

tribe personally and to whom they were related.  He was looked upon as a 

wise and just chief.



On October 23, 1969, a new Indian Club called Kihekah-Steh (Tall Chief) 

Club of Skiatook, was formed.  The members set as their purpose the 

promotion and preservation of the culture of the American Indians and 

the honor of all service men.



Tribes represented at the inaugural meeting were Osage, Cherokee, Quapaw, 

Winnebago, Pawnee and Mohawk.  By-Laws were adopted and officers were 

elected for two-year terms.



Charter president of the club was Bill Supernaw, grandson of 

Ki-He-Kah-Steh.



Current board members are Raymond Waynashe, Ernie Bratton, John Berrey, 

Doug Bighorse and Lou Ann Duren.



Every year since the club's organization, the Kihekah-Steh Pow-Wow 

has been held to remember with honor Chief Ki-He-Kah-Steh and all 

American Indian military veterans.  The pow-wow is generally held 

toward the end of July.  This year's event was held July 27-29.