Reynolds College Blog

Dr. William Meadows publishes new book on Native handgame tradition

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Missouri State University’s Dr. William Meadows has published a new book exploring the culture and history of the Native handgame tradition.

Book cover
Click book cover image to learn more.

Meadows is a professor of anthropology in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology.

“The Handgame of the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache: Spirited Competition on the Southern Plains,” is an ethnic study that documents a previously unexplored topic, Meadows explained. “I’ve played this game off and on for a little over 30 years, but always with the goal in mind of doing an ethnography on it. It is a subject that no one has taken the time to deal with.”

The subject interested him theoretically because handgame is not just a “game of chance.” It requires “keen observation” of human behavior, psychology, mathematics and spiritual belief, he argues,

“The handgame constitutes its own arena of social activity in tribal communities,” Meadows writes in his book. “It is just as important and traditional as other Native cultural institutions such as the powwow or sweat lodge ceremonies.”

From observer to player

As part of his broader research on Indigenous cultures, Meadows conducted field work from 1993-2023. He interviewed individuals from the Kiowa, Comanche, Plains Apache, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Crow, Ponca, Wichita, Delaware and Fort Sill Apache communities.

During this period, Meadows interviewed Bill Koomsa, Jr., who introduced him to the game.

“They were hosting the Crows, and he invited me to one of the games to look on, enjoy it and everything,” Meadows said. “Once you see it, it’s such a lively, peppy game, it’s really addictive.”

After that, Meadows continued to play so frequently, one family invited him to join their team.

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Dr. William Meadows participates in D-Day anniversary in France

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In June, Dr. William Meadows, alongside 18 members of the Comanche Indian Veterans Association, visited France to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day and join in a ceremony on Utah Beach to honor the Comanche Code Talkers.

Meadows is a professor of anthropology and Native American studies in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology at Missouri State University. He was recently appointed to the editorial board of the American Indian Quarterly.

Meadows discusses unique role of Native Americans in war

Speaker at projection screen presents to audience
Meadows presenting on Native American code talkers during the Battle For Normandy Conference at Chateau d’Audrieu near Tilly, France.

Meadows presented “Native American Code Talkers in Europe in World War II” at a conference during the celebration.

Code talkers were Native Americans in the United States Armed Forces. They used their tribal languages to send secure military messages during World Wars I and II, Meadows explained. This was faster than existing coding technology and gave the American forces a unique advantage.

The conference, an annual observance to commemorate D-Day, took place at the Chateau d’Audrieu, located in the heart of the Normandy countryside.

“D-Day describes the Allied invasion at Normandy in 1944 to liberate western Europe and bring an end to the Nazi Reich and the European Theater of WW II,” Meadows said.

In his speech, he noted that many people remain unaware of the unique role Native Americans played in both world wars.

“Despite the American government’s attempts to suppress their languages, Native Americans used these very languages to send secure military messages that saved countless lives,” Meadows said.

“The French are more aware of the war and its impacts on their home villages and families because the invasion occurred in villages throughout Normandy,” Meadows continued. “Many express gratitude to Americans, British and Canadians whose ancestors liberated them. They’re also increasingly learning about the presence and role of the code talkers.”

Large group of people pose for photo on beach
Members of the Comanche Indian Veterans Association with their French hosts and students from Tilly, France, at Utah Beach.

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Dr. William Meadows appointed to serve on American Indian Quarterly’s editorial board 

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Missouri State University’s Dr. William Meadows was recently appointed to the editorial board of the American Indian Quarterly (AIQ).

He will serve with 12 other noted American Indian scholars.

As an editorial board member, Meadows’ responsibilities will include overseeing and reading manuscripts submitted to the journal. He will also find ways to improve the journal.

Meadows is a professor of anthropology and Native American studies in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology. He believes his appointment to AIQ will enable him to showcase the department.

“While I’ve already reviewed some manuscripts for American Indian Quarterly prior to now, this position will teach me more about the workings of academic journals and contribute to professional services in the field, while helping make Missouri State University and the sociology, anthropology and gerontology department known to a wider audience,” he said. [Read more…] about Dr. William Meadows appointed to serve on American Indian Quarterly’s editorial board 

Dr. William Meadows’ research dedicated to Native American code talkers

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Missouri State University’s Dr. William Meadows has devoted thirty years of his life to studying Native American code talkers who served in both world wars.

Meadows, professor of anthropology and Native American studies in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology, began researching the Comanche Code Talkers in 1992, then branched out to study other Plains Indian military societies for his doctoral studies at the University of Oklahoma in 1995.

Coming from a military family, Meadows became interested in finding out more about the military experience of Indigenous peoples early in his career.

As he explored their cultures, traditions and ceremonies, he discovered many Native Americans from several tribes had served as code talkers in both world wars. In particular, the Navajo were already well-known, but more than 30 other tribes were not.

At least 34 different tribes participated in the code formulation for World War I and World War II, according to Meadows.

“When I was interviewing Native American veterans, one of the Comanche veterans brought up his background in the war,” Meadows said. “He explained that he and some others were recruited to create an undecipherable code in their native language.”

“They were put in military prep schools with the aim of assimilating them into mainstream America,” Meadows explained. “They were banned from speaking their language or practicing any form of culture. It’s an irony that the same culture has brought them recognition.”

“Their stories are good examples of holding on to culture,” he added. [Read more…] about Dr. William Meadows’ research dedicated to Native American code talkers

“Honoring Experience: Centering Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2023” event Oct. 9

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Missouri State University’s Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta, will host a speaking event, “Honoring Experience: Centering Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2023,” Monday, Oct. 9 from 5-6:30 p.m. in Strong Hall 401.

The event will feature four short presentations on the historical and contemporary experiences with Indigenous American communities, followed by a discussion forum.

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