Quanah Parker (Comanche kwana "smell, odor") (c. 1845 or 1852 – February 23, 1911) was a Comanche/English-American from the Comanche band Quahadi ("Antelope-eaters"). Strictly related also to the Nokoni band ("Wanderers" or "Travellers") (his mother's people), he emerged as a dominant figure of the Comanche, particularly after the Comanches' final defeat. He was one of the last Comanche chiefs. The U.S. appointed Quanah principal chief of the entire nation once the people had gathered on the reservation and later introduced general elections.Quanah Parker (Comanche kwana "smell, odor") (c. 1845 or 1852 – February 23, 1911) was a Comanche/English-American from the Comanche band Quahadi ("Antelope-eaters"). Strictly related also to the Nokoni band
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Quanah was never elected principal chief of the Comanche by the tribe. The U.S. government appointed him principal chief of the entire nation once the people had gathered on the reservation and later introduced general elections. In October 1867, when Quanah was only a young man, he had come along with the Comanche chiefs as an observer at treaty negotiations at Medicine Lodge, Kansas. Tirhayaquahip made a statement about Quanah's refusal to sign the treaty. In the early 1870s, the Plains Indians were losing the battle for their land with the United States government. Following the capture of the Kiowa chiefsSatank, Ado-ete (Big Tree), and Satanta, the last two paroled in 1873 after two years thanks to the firm and stubborn behaviour ofGuipago, the Kiowa, Comanche, and Southern Cheyenne tribes joined forces in several battles. Colonel Ranald Mackenzie led U.S. Army forces to round up or kill the remaining Indians who had not settled on reservations.With their food source depleted, and under constant pressure from the army, the Quahadi Comanche finally surrendered in 1875.
Quanah was never elected principal chief of the Comanche by the tribe. The U.S. government appointed him principal chief of the entire nation once the people had gathered on the reservation and later introduced general elections. In October 1867, when Quanah was only a young man, he had come along with the Comanche chiefs as an observer at treaty negotiations at Medicine Lodge, Kansas. Tirhayaquahip made a statement about Quanah's refusal to sign the treaty. In the early 1870s, the Plains Indians were losing the battle for their land with the United States government. Following the capture of the Kiowa chiefsSatank, Ado-ete (Big Tree), and Satanta, the last two paroled in 1873 after two years thanks to the firm and stubborn behaviour ofGuipago, the Kiowa, Comanche, and Southern Cheyenne tribes joined forces in several battles. Colonel Ranald Mackenzie led U.S. Army forces to round up or kill the remaining Indians who had not settled on reservations.With their food source depleted, and under constant pressure from the army, the Quahadi Comanche finally surrendered in 1875.