Tonkawa
Seal of the Tonkawa Tribe of Oklahoma
|
|
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 611 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( Oklahoma) |
|
| Languages | |
| English, Tonkawa language | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity, Native American Church, traditional tribal religions | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Wichita, Waco, Tawakoni, Kichai, Guichita |
The Tonkawa are a Native American tribe indigenous to present-day Oklahoma and Texas. They once spoke the now-extinct Tonkawa language; it is believed to have been a language isolate not related to any other indigenous tongues. Today, many descendants are enrolled in the federally recognized tribe Tonkawa Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma.
In the 15th century, the Tonkawa tribe probably numbered around 5,000, with their numbers diminishing to around 1,600 by the late 17th century due to fatalities from new infectious diseases and warring with other tribes, most notably the Apache. By 1921, only 34 tribal members remained. Their numbers have since recovered to close to 700 in the early 21st century. Most live in Oklahoma.
The Tonkawa's autonym is Tickanwa•tic (meaning "real people"). The name Tonkawa is derived from the Waco tribal word, Tonkaweya, meaning "they all stay together".
The Tonkawa tribe operates a number of businesses which have an annual economic impact of over $10,860,657. Along with several smoke shops, the tribe runs both the Tonkawa Indian Casino located in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, and the Native Lights Casino in Newkirk, Oklahoma.
The annual Tonkawa Powwow is held annually on the last weekend in June to commemorate the end of the tribe's own Trail of Tears when the tribe was forcefully removed and relocated from its traditional lands to present-day Oklahoma.
Scholars used to think the Tonkawa originated in Central Texas. Recent research, however, has shown that the tribe inhabited northeastern Oklahoma in 1601. By 1700, the stronger and more aggressive Apache had pushed the Tonkawa south to the Red River which forms the border between current-day Oklahoma and Texas. Tonkawa had a penchant for cannibalism, which made them unpopular with other Native American groups and the new Texans.
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Wikipedia