In her book “They Carried the Torch…,” Mrs. T.B. (Elva) Fergusons relates several occurrences with Native Americans, primarily the Cheyenne-Arapaho in Watonga. She recalls a big Indian on one of the first mornings in Watonga whose presence frightened her, but later, this same man stood guard for her and the children. They had taken Mr. Ferguson to the train in El Reno, and their horse had become ill on the way home. In the dark, Mrs. Ferguson could hear an Indian pow wow and was frightened. The big man stood guard for her and young Walter and “Trad.”
Later, this same man mourned the death of “Trad,” who died of complications of the Spanish Influenza of 1818-19 at Ft. Sill. The Friends of the Ferguson Home salute Native American Heritage Month each November. We began this celebration in October with events in collaboration with the Plains Collective at the Watonga Cheese Festival. And this Thursday, as mentioned in last week’s Ferguson Feature, the Friends of the Ferguson are hosting a special event at the museum 1-3 PM. Gordan Yellowman will exhibit art and Dee Cordry, author, will present. Roy Espy, former site director and his wife Janine, will host the event. Native American Heritage Month had its beginning in 1914 when Red Fox James rode his horse “Montana” over 3000 miles to Washington, D.C. in support of Native American Day. In 1990, President George W. Bush proclaimed November as Native American Heritage month. President Trump issued a statement: “This National Native American Heritage Month, we celebrate Native Americans’ enduring contributions to our Nation’s greatness.” Today, Native Americans continue to serve in high places in government. Deb Haaland serves as Secretary of the Interior – the first Native American to hold that title --and Charles S. Sams served as Director of the National Park Service until recently. Mary Peltola, Sharice Davids and Oklahoma’s Tom Cole serve in the House of Representatives while Markwayne Mullin, a Cherokee of Oklahoma, serves in the Senate. Governor Kevin Stitt is a member of the Cherokee Nation.
On Friday the Friends of the Ferguson will host the Ferguson Good Government Symposium at the Chisholm Trail Technology Center for high school seniors. The aim is to not only educate young voters about the work of our elected officials, but also to train them to serve in these roles in the future no matter how they identify themselves or what heritage they espouse.