Society Activities

TAS Field School

2006 TAS Field School

June 10–17, 2006
Paris, Texas

By Dewey Tsonetokoy, Sr. — May 26, 2006
Reprinted, with permission, from a posting to TxArch-L.

The first steps of reintroducing the history and culture of American Indian tribal groups into the State of Texas by a Texas based organization began in 2003 by the Texas Archeology Society (TAS).  It was a dream of Margaret Howard, archeologist with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD), to bridge the gaps that existed between the archeology communities and the once Texas based tribes such as the Caddo, Wichita, Comanche, Tonkawa, Kiowa, etc.

Margaret Howard will be touring and meeting with tribal representatives to discuss how tribal participation in the annual TAS Field School might be better promoted.  Ms. Howard plans to visit the following tribal complexes, however, not necessarily in the following order: Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, Alabama-Quassarte, Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma, Tonkawa Tribe of Oklahoma, Caddo Nation of Oklahoma, Delaware Tribe of Eastern Oklahoma, Wichita & Affiliated Tribes, Apache Tribe of Oklahoma, Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma, and the Comanche Tribe of Oklahoma.

The reintroduction of Native American culture and history into the American conscienceness is a suppressed notion whose time has come.  Throughout America, many Native American sites are in jeopardy of being destroyed by economical development, mineral extraction, and even recreational use.  In most cases, the non-Indian communities just do not understand or comprehend the social significance of Native American sites except as a resource upon which they can capitalize.

Margaret Howard recognized the need for Native American involvement in the interpretation of Texas archeological sites and the need for the Native American traditional viewpoints regarding affected sites whenever TPWD began developing management plans pertaining to the preservation of cultural resources located within the boundaries of state and even on some private properties.

Personally speaking, I became involved with TAS by participating in the annual Field School which was held at the Presidio San Saba site near Menard, Texas, in June of 2003 along with the Comanche, Lipan Apache, and Tap Pilam-Coahuiltecans.  I felt that it was time for Texas to recognize that it had a history prior to its independence from the Republic of Mexico—that history was wholly Native American.  Since my initial involvement I have had no regrets as the results of my participation and look forward each year to learn more about Texas archeology and to express my opinion.

We as Native Americans are losing our culture.  In fact, several tribal groups in Oklahoma are one generation from becoming socially extinct.  At no other time in the history of America is it so vital for the welfare of the nation to preserve its unique history, which includes the history of its first nations.

As a Native American, I feel that many of the cultural properties within the State of Texas still contain the essence of who we are as Native Americans.  They are sacred places that can still give identity to a people struggling to retain their native identity in the face of social pressure to change and to become assimilated.  They are sacred places still imbued with the eternal prayers of the ancients.  And when a person prays in earnest, the Creator listens.

For more information contact Margaret Howard.
Mailing address:
Margaret Howard
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
4200 Smith School Rd., Austin, TX.
Phone: (512)389-4875.
E-mail address: margaret.howard@tpwd.state.tx.us