OU Health Sciences Receives Federal Grant to Recognize Descendants of American Indian POWs Incarcerated at Fort Marion

The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences has been awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to engage with the descendants of American Indian individuals who were incarcerated at Fort Marion in Florida during the 1870s. Formerly known as Castillo de San Marcos, Fort Marion served as a government internment site for American Indians at least four times.

Dolores Subia BigFoot, Ph.D., project director and OU Health Sciences faculty member, is the principal investigator for this grant. She is actively seeking descendants of those affected to share their stories at an upcoming event scheduled March 25-27 at OU Health Sciences in Oklahoma City. The $50,000 award will facilitate a gathering of descendant families to discuss the historical impact of this incarceration over the past 150 years.

“The goal is to raise awareness about the Fort Marion POWs who were held there from 1875 to 1878. While some descendants are familiar with aspects of this history, many know very little,” BigFoot said. She mentioned that her ancestor, including her late husband’s ancestor, were among those incarcerated during this period.

Among the notable figures from this history is Medicine Water, a leader of the Cheyenne Bowstring Society, who, along with his wife Mo-Chi, was identified as a key figure opposing U.S. military encroachment. “Of the 72 POWs, they were the only couple held together in chains. Those sent to Fort Marion included members from the Kiowa, Arapaho, Caddo, Cheyenne, and Comanche tribes,” BigFoot explained. She described the harsh conditions faced by prisoners, including periods spent in isolation in a dungeon.

Fort Marion was originally constructed by the Spanish in the 1500s and has undergone significant changes throughout its history. BigFoot reported that the fort was reconstructed in the 1600s using coquina, a sedimentary rock composed of ancient shells, known for its durability.

The overall project, titled “Calling Back the Spirits: A Healing Journey,” includes the Convening as One component; other components include an exhibit, book and events involving descendants. The NEH grant supports the convening as an opportunity for families to learn more about the effects of that period in history while fostering a healing environment and promoting awareness of family stories. For more information, visit the Indian Country Child Trauma Center website at www.icctc.org.