| A Lil Bout Kathy- |
Katherine Dickerson is a member of the Kiowa Tribe in Oklahoma. Her Kiowa name is Thai-Pau-Mah, named after her great grandmother. Some of her lineage goes back to her great grandfather, Haungooah/Silverhorn he was noted by the Kiowa tribe as a master illustrator - artist born in 1860. Silverhorn illustrated everyday life on the plains of the Kiowa. Whether it be sacred ceremonies, warfare or telling the ever popular Saynday stories. He was also preserving what was then by drawing illustrations. Dohausan, Haungooah's father was the principle chief of the Kiowa tribe. Her Grandpa, James Silverhorn, was also a religious leader of the Kiowa tribe and a master craftsman along with his brothers. Her great uncles, Dutch Silverhorn was a famous silversmith. Max and cousin Max Jr, Silverhorn was noted for beading, silver work and feather work. There's a long line of artisans in the Silverhorn family. She is also a descendant of Tongkeahma and Stumblingbear. Her aunts, uncles and cousins along with her parents, Paul and Phyllis (Silverhorn) Calcaterra, raised her to respect the Kiowa ways, passing the information onto her children and grandchildren. Kathy was raised going between St. Louis and her tribal lands in Oklahoma, she grew up hearing, observing and living the traditional Kiowa ways from her elders prompting her to create craft work today that is identified as Kiowa pieces. To do this way as her elders did in the past, she scrapes her hides and brain tans them and uses sinew. These materials were essential for tipis and clothing, footwear, bedding and cradle boards. Ceremonial items and also made for calendar keeping and the list goes on. These ways must be passed down and preserved to keep the identity of the Kiowa tribe. There are guidelines for the way these items were constructed and assembled that also identities the tribe. These items tell stories and have history themselves. During the federal government’s relocation program St. Louis area was filled with many Indian families from through out the country. During this time, many of the families were able to educate the public about who and what American Indians are while passing on their art and craft skills. However, since the 1980’s the Indian population has slowly diminished due to the older population passing on or moving back to their Indian communities leaving the younger generations to pass on their knowledge. While Kathy has been giving demonstrations and lectures in school and other gatherings ever since she was in grade school herself. She didn't go public with her crafts till 2000. Depending on the age of the audience and venue Kathy shares history, storytelling, tribal song and dance and her craftsmanship. She uses the hands on approach most often with children. In her upbringing she was surrounded by cultural awareness and is expected to carry on the ways of the ancestors. Her particular art form is unique, not all due to ability as it is to decision. Her decision was not to follow the modern pow-wow styles but stay true to her Kiowa traditional craft work. She is able to bring a little of the glorious past to the present day. Her work is as exact and as traditional as she knows how to do it. Kathy enjoys keeping the Kiowa traditions alive. A video interview with Kathy is on exhibit at the Oklahoma History Museum A short list of some of the places Kathy has demonstrated for: *National Museum of the American Indian (Smithsonian Institute) in Washington, DC *Tulsa Arts Festival (1st place winner in cultural art division). *Native People Magazine (July-August 2007 issue) *Cahokia Mounds Museum in Illinois *St. Louis Art Museum *Lewis and Clark events on the St. Louis Riverfront *Our Lady on the Snows Shrine Cultural Festivals, Illinois *Truman University - Kirksville MO *Washington University *Rockwood school district *St. Louis City and County schools *Wentzville school district *Union Mo School District (list too numerous to put a complete listing) *American Indian Educational Resources of St. Louis, Founder - (2005 - Present) *American Indian Center of St. Louis - Secretary St. Louis, MO - (2002) *American Indian Heritage Center Bentonville, AR 72712 (2004-Present) |
| You may contact Kathy by Email or Voicemail Kathy's Email- Kathy@kiowakat.com Phone # (314) 226-9883 (at the moment this is a voicemail, leave a message and she will get back with you promptly) |