More about Kathy

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Katherine (KiowaKat) Dickerson

Website: https://www.kiowakat.com

Email: katherinedickerson@kiowakat.com

My name is Katherine (Kathy) Dickerson, Tahpomah is my Kiowa name. I am a member of the Kiowa Tribe, located in Oklahoma. Some of my lineage goes back to my great grandfather, Haungooah Silverhorn, who was famous for ledger drawings. I am also a descendant of Tongkeahma/Stumbling Bear. Dohausan, Haungooah's father was the principal chief of the Kiowa tribe. Her Grandpa, James Silverhorn, was also a craftsman.

Along with the artists Haungooah (Silverhorn) and James Silverhorn, James’s brother, Dutch Silverhorn was a famous silversmith. my great uncle Max Silverhorn was noted for beading and feather work, which helped me become the artists I am today.

I was born in St. Louis and due to My mom’s need to be back among her family and Tribe, i was raised going between St. Louis and my tribal lands in Oklahoma and has spent my entire life learning the crafts, culture, and history of my tribe from family members and other elders of my tribe, along with many hours in the back room of museums. all this gave me the tools needed to become the talented artist, lecturer, Consultant, and on-air personality I am today.

My Radio Program is called Essence of the Tribes and airs every Tuesday from 7pm to 9pm on KDHX 88.1fm St. Louis (or www.kdhx.org livestream or archived on her show page). I go by KiowaKat on my radio show.

I am a lecturer/ demonstrator for schools (k-University level) and depending on the age of the audience and venue, I share history, storytelling, tribal song and dance and my art and craftsmanship. I have given lectures at such places as Washington University, Perdue University, Eiteljorg Museum, National Museum of the Native Americans (Smithsonian) Southern Plains Museum, to give just a couple examples of the great many I have demonstrated and lectured at.

I use the hands-on approach most often with children. Letting all come up to see and feel the hides and items i use and make, my hides are made the way my ancestors did back in the 1800's and before, meaning I still brain tan my hides, still make my own rawhide, and still sew with Sinew. The bags, belts, beaded fans, beaded gourds, and footwear that I make are used in my presentations.

I do enjoy keeping the Kiowa traditions alive, and has been giving demonstrations and lectures in school and other gatherings ever since I attended grade school myself

I have a loving and supporting husband of over 30 years Marvin Dickerson, and 5 children and 10 Grandchildren.

Kathy has demonstrated and or worked for:

Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC Demonstrations 2005 and 2007

Denver Museum of Nature and Science - Consultant on Items in their museum collection

Southern Plains Museum (Oklahoma)

St. Louis Art Museum

St. Louis History Museum

St. Louis City Museum

The Arch Museum (St. Louis)

Cahokia Mounds Museum in Illinois for their Rediscover days

American Indian Education days (Cahokia Mounds Museum 2005- 2018)

Lewis and Clark events on the St. Louis Riverfront

Lewis and Clark Confluence tower (Illinois)

Festival of Nations

Tulsa Arts Festival (1st place winner in cultural art division 2006).

Our Lady on the Snows Shrine Cultural Festivals

Daniel Boone Home of Defiance MO

Fort Leonardwood.

Indiana University of Perdue University of Indiana (IUPUI)

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE)

Truman University-Kirksville MO

Deaconess College of Nursing

St. Charles Community college

Eastern Community College

Washington University

Gateway Science Academy

Desoto School

Soulard School

New City School

Union Mo School District

Wentzville school district

St. Louis City school District

Rockwood school district

Wentzville School District

Gateway Indian Art Club

Monday club (Webster Groves)

Scott Airforce base

Monsanto Chemical Company/daycare children with employees

Boy scouts of America/ Girl scouts troops

City of Chesterfield Earthday

Son of the Confederate Veterans

Veterans admin. building

Township Festivals such as Wildwood, Warson Woods, Maplewood, Fenton,

Wentzville MO, St. Louis City/Country MO fairs.

St. Louis public library's city/county

DEA department 2011/12 St. Louis

UMB Bank St. Louis

Ethical Society of St. Louis

Also

on exhibit at the Oklahoma History Museum November 2005.

Contributing writer in the Book - Plains Indian Art of the Early Reservation Period (The Donald Danforth Jr. collection at the St. Louis Art Museum)

Interviewed in the Native People Magazine (Aug. 2007), Indian Times, and other newspapers and magazines.

Owner of the facebook page - American Indian Educational Resources of St. Louis

Secretary of the Board of the American Indian Center of St. Louis, 2002/2003.

Placed at the Matoon Illinois crafts contest for beadwork.

Since 2019 KDHX DJ/Programmer: DJ KiowaKat program Essence of the Tribes

Nov. 2019 Artist in residence, Eiteljorg Museum in Indiana for month of November

2021 American Indian Consultant to radio station Classic 107.3 St. Louis.