Reynolds College Blog

Dr. William Meadows continues writing and public outreach projects

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Missouri State University’s Dr. William Meadows, professor of anthropology in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology, continues to enjoy a prolific research and writing career.

The University of Texas Press will issue a second edition of Meadows’ “Comanche Code Talkers of World War II” in the fall of 2026. The second edition contains over 60 pages of new material.

The first edition has sold over 10,000 copies, Meadows noted, and still generates requests for him to speak, conduct research, and advise museums, universities, government entities and Native American communities.

Earlier this year, Meadows published a book on Native American hand game traditions. Missouri State’s Emily Yeap recently conducted a radio interview with Meadows about his research for this book.

Missouri State students join in the fun during a hand game. Photo provided by William Meadows.

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Shawnewa Dahozy completes prestigious M-PATH program

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Shawnewa Dahozy, a junior biomedical sciences major at Missouri State University, recently completed the Frontline Indigenous Partnerships (FLIP) Medicine Pathways for Advancing Tribal Healthcare (M-PATH) program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

The highly competitive program consists of a three-week immersive medical exposure experience. Only eight students are accepted into M-PATH each year.

During the program, M-PATH students shadow physicians and practice procedural skills through simulation workshops. They also participate in professional development activities such as panels, presentations and community building exercises.

Dahozy observed several different procedures in multiple medical disciplines during her stay, including emergency medicine, general surgery, ICU, OB/GYN and anesthesia. As a result, Dahozy now hopes to specialize in the emergency medicine and pediatric fields.

“I really enjoyed the fast-paced specialty [of emergency medicine] and having the opportunity to encounter patients from various backgrounds,” she said.

The program’s professional development components proved equally enlightening, she added.

“These sessions were not only educational, but also practical — providing tools I will continue to use throughout medical school and into my professional career,” Dahozy said. “In just three weeks, I saw tangible growth in myself — becoming more confident, focused and ready to take on the next steps in my journey.”

Following the onsite summer session, the M-PATH participants will continue the program virtually for one full year. This engagement includes quarterly group meetings, individual meetings and participation in various discussion topics. The FLIP team also provides extended support to M-PATH students through medical school and beyond, according to Dahozy.

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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