Tonkawa Reclaims Sacred Land After 140 Years: ‘We’re Home’

The mountain holds a special place in the tribe’s creation story, symbolizing their deep-rooted ties to the region.

The Austin-American Statesman reports that this area has been central to the tribe’s spiritual and cultural identity for generations. The return to this land represents a profound moment for the tribe, reconnecting them with a crucial part of their heritage.

Although the population was once dwindling, The Austin-American Statesman reveals that the tribe has grown to 950 citizens and now operates a reservation and various enterprises in Oklahoma.

This historic purchase of 60 acres at a “reasonable market value” signifies a profound reconnection with their past and a commitment to preserving their rich cultural heritage.

He told The Austin-American Statesman, “Our Wolf Dance ceremony depicts the first Tonkawa human coming out of the foot of Red Mountain.” Patterson’s efforts in the 1980s to unearth the tribe’s connection to this sacred site have been instrumental in reviving and preserving their cultural identity.

He told The Waco Tribune-Herald: “I think it’s a part of history that’s maybe been pushed to the side. I want the next generation to know. I want them to start embracing that and being a part of that and, hopefully, I want them to accept us. I want them to realize what happened. I think that part of history’s been neglected. I absolutely want to share that with everybody there.”

This mountain, rooted deeply in the region’s history, was a beacon for various travelers including Native Americans, French and Spanish explorers, Anglo settlers, and African Americans during Texas’ colonial era. The Tonkawa Tribe, once integral to this landscape and later displaced in the 1850s, remained closely connected to this land.

This forced migration to reservations in Oklahoma in 1884, part of their own “Trail of Tears,” was a profound loss of homeland and marked a dark chapter in the tribe’s struggle to preserve their culture and identity, as reported by The Austin-American Statesman.

The Austin-American Statesman reports that during the ceremony, Martin poignantly expressed the tribe’s deep emotional connection to this land, saying, “We’re home.”

The nonprofit organization El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association told The Austin-American Statesman, “First will come research and archaeology, and then a new park will offer the public daily access to the mountain, along with interpretive displays and educational activities.”

Steven Gonzales, reflecting on the process, said, “It will take us several years. It’s going to take a lot to bring it out of the rough. But Milam County residents have been working for years to arrive at this point.

“The first time I got to the top of the mountain, I was overwhelmed. I’m not that spiritual a person, but that experience was spiritual. We’re glad to be home in Texas,” said Martin.